The Big Sweep

It feels good to get everything shipshape in April. But all in good measure.

Every year, as soon as the spring train rolls in, it gives me a little push and sets me in motion. You know: clearing out all the stuff we never use, chasing the dust mice out from under my grandparents’ big old wardrobe… .

Getting rid of the superfluous, as ironic as it may seem, this year includes not only things and dirt, but also cleaning utensils. I was talking to a friend about this the other day, and we both came to the same conclusion: you usually have too many cleaning liquids, pastes, powders, etc. around the house. They pile up in the corner, some of them not really needed, some of them not really wanted.

So this time we use it all up or give it away, reducing the variety. Because, to be honest, for cleaning, usually a mild liquid soap (ours is coconut and olive based) and maybe a little extra vinegar will do the trick. If I need a little more action, I use a scrubbing pad (coconut fiber scrubs very well) or a “microfiber” bamboo cloth (our standard bamboo cleaning squares work like that naturally). It can sometimes be tempting to have a special cleaner for every spot in the house, but who has all that space, or if you do, can keep track of all those bottles.

The second part of spring cleaning, of course, involves our beloved balcony. As it gets warmer outside and the plants start to grow, I am magically drawn outside to sort, tend, and grow new greens. If you have a balcony or garden that you really love, you’re familiar with this urge. I barely let the beginning of spring pass before I start working outside. And sometimes I get too impatient. Our balcony is still partially shaded in the spring, so some plants take a little longer to wake up from their winter slumber. In our case, the grapevine was very slow. It grows next to the blackberry on the rose arch. Obviously, they have to share space – as usual in big cities with expensive living quarters (I wrote about our balcony and introduced its inhabitants last year in [‘Balconia, Balconia’] and [‘Boxed up for Good’]).

The plant did not look awake to me, so I cut off two big branches. But, oh no … for the first time in years, the vine grew little green buds on the long branches. To make matters worse, when I looked down, I saw that my hasty action had caused a small personal disaster. A ladybug, apparently in the midst of a spring snack on a chewy old leaf, had been instantly ejected from its comfortable winter hiding place in the blackberry. Now it was floating on its breakfast in the bucket where I collect the soft water for the plants on the balcony.

But don’t worry: the story had a happy ending. I took the little fellow out of the bucket and put it on the strawberries, where I observed it feasting on the green aphids that had just started a colony. And as for the cut vine branches: I put them in a large vase and will try to get them to grow roots for new plants to give away.

This has taught me that, as with anything related to mindful food production, I need to take my time and plan ahead.

Getting rid of the superfluous, as ironic as it may seem, this year includes not only things and dirt, but also cleaning utensils.

Side Notes:

• Before mixing cleaning products, even with vinegar, check the instructions on the package first. Some cleaners produce toxic liquids or vapors when poured together or otherwise mixed (such as when used in close succession).
• I have to admit that the picture for this post is a bit shocking. It shows what sensational journalism can do to you. The little guy was in dire straits on the deep, cold water, with only a whimsical, weathered leaf protecting it from a horrible, wet death. And all I could think of was to take a picture of the drama. I really am ashamed of myself. Well, at least a little.