False Spring, don't be fooled, it's only March.

Just a few short days ago we were at freezing temperatures where I live.  Yesterday, when I walked outside; I saw crocuses blooming.  The sun is shining, the air is fresh and on the edge of warm and new greenery is poking out of the ground.  It was almost 60 degrees yesterday and while I was enamored with the idea of spring, I know better.  I lived 35 years in North Idaho, and we had between 5 and 7 seasons each year.  Starting in January we would have winter, first thaw/false spring, quick freeze, mud season, summer, fall and finally winter.  Summer and fall are short because it was between 3-4 months together.  We would watch the snow on a local mountain top and it didn't matter how warm; you didn't plant anything outside until it was bare of snow.  Roses are perennials, and real perennials just thrived, until the deer came along and ate everything when summer slid into fall.  Here where I live, we are currently bouncing between 60 and 40 degrees.  It isn't as wavering as North Idaho, but we do have an exceptional pothole season.  Real tire-poppers that suck in your front tires, tear up your rims and suspension and spit you out with flats or lost hubcaps.

I can have roses that come back every year here, the deer don't chase them away and I love my flower garden (plus my A/C).  Despite the lovely things we can grow, the heat takes a toll and it reminds me that we should always make sure we have a budget for replacement plants and sprinkler systems.  Like life, you can hope for one thing to happen, but it doesn't always work out.  Artists who sell for a living know that this is not something you can count on, ever.  You don't always get invited back to a show, economies might look strong but not everyone has faith it will last and might not spring for your work right now.  It doesn't mean they don't like it, just that the aren't confident that the money they spend on it might not be needed later.

You have to make plans that are flexible and understand that if you really want a guarantee, you should purchase a new car.  I don't see that on my horizon this year, or even the next but I don't want a 9-5 job.  I might be okay with it but it would cut into my studio time.  So I am going to be flexible and try new things to make money with my art.  I guess what I am saying is; save your spare change and keep your snow boots handy, you never know when temps will drop, or you will need an emergency stash of funds.