Microclimate View 2 - Greenough Park, Missoula, Montana

Because it was such a tiny, charming, feisty thing, here is another view of yesterday's brave winter-woods plant. (Look at those cunning little bristles!)

Woodsy Microclimate - Missoula, Montana

During this cozy winter season, I've been pondering microclimates - partly within the ongoing "when it's spring" dreaming of likely locations to dig holes in the yard and plant glorious things. And then partly after a conversation with a hard-core don't-rock-the-boat co-worker who mentioned how she politely piped up in a meeting in which she previously would have kept mum. To my "hip-hip-hooray!" (not full volume, of course!) she replied, Oh, I wouldn't have done it if Colleagues A & B hadn't been in the meeting. Ba-BAM! - instant microclimate musing slides out my mouth!  I mean, so very obvious, right? (Kidding - I realize my brain hopping is quite random about at times...)  
In northern gardening, the short story on a microclimate is that some plants which won't normally survive your climate zone will thrive if you locate them in a specifically sheltered and beneficial spot. (Think: sunny exposure, against a fence or wall, sheltered from wind, good crumbly soil, friendly earthworms...) 
Comparatively, the gist of my related musing is that we create our own microclimates to enable us to endure and even thrive in otherwise soul-killing situations (or soul-freezing scenarios, to be a little less dramatic). In my co-worker's situation, the shelter of got-my-back colleagues strengthened her core and allowed her to bloom. 
I think the warmth and protection of others who care is a fairly common tactic we often leverage without even realizing it. As another example, Delightful Daughter vehemently shakes her head at the mention of  performing solo in public, but has no problem getting on a large stage with some friends, whether in a music setting or in her earlier life as part of an amazing competition cheer team. Personally, I've learned I am spurred more to productive action when in the company of people I love who also love me. And conversely, I know I need at least a few quiet-&-alone, unobligated Saturday mornings to reconstitute my very self.
And then there are the tangible microclimates of small, daily comforts - perhaps a cup of delightfully aromatic tea to ease our stress, with a little bonus aromatherapy.  Or a bracing winter walk to recalibrate optimism amidst a soul-sucking workday. Or finally saying an un-guilty and resounding "yes!"to that attainable activity we keep putting off but it just really makes us happy in an I-can't-stop-smiling-this-silly-smile kind of way.
There's more to be mined on this topic...but that's quite enough out of me for today. 
Pause to ponder briefly, and I bet you'll soon see the shape of your very own charming stacked stone wall built of unmatched chunks of warm care. (Please do share in the comment segment below!)

Give Me Shelter - Missoula, Montana

"A sheltered life can be a daring life as well. 
For all serious daring starts from within."

-Eudora Welty (1909-2001)

Shelter, Missoula, Montana

I adore my husband - and rightly so. Tuesday morning, I went to start my car ten minutes prior to my typical pedal-to-the-metal departure for work. And what to my wondering eyes should appear but: a car, parked - I kid you not - right in front of our driveway, blocking in both our vehicles. Unbelievable, right? So, I stand there in the living room with my wet hair, flailing my arms and ranting: who would do such a thing, especially when there’s an empty full parking length along the curb RIGHT BEHIND THAT CAR, and what if they’re still there when I have to leave in 10 minutes because you know how I am - when it’s time to go, let’s go! Yes, he calmly says, I know how you are; they'll prob'ly be gone in a few minutes. And I rant some more - all this drama encapsulated within a minute, please understand. In my miniscule pause for breathe, TBHE interjects, If they’re still there when you have to leave, I’ll just move their car, since it’s running. 
Oh. Well, that was simple. 
Instant calm, perfect solution. Am I a fortunate one, or what?
We could clone him and be rich.