Hi ,
People automatically think that because my flat has a balcony, I sit outside and enjoy the sunshine.
The truth is, I don't. I have the pots where I grow herbs outside, and I go out and water them. Besides that, the only time I go out there is when I need to clean up out there.
That's a part of the problem. Yes, I have a lovely balcony, but there are a couple of big pine trees (1) in the garden. When the wind blows, I end up with pine needles on my balcony. So, I have to regularly sweep them up (2).
Another problem is due to one of those pine trees. It's right in front of my place. I'm supposed to be happy because it keeps my flat cool. But really, I find it disappointing. It blocks (3) the sunshine to my balcony and flat for several hours in the middle of the day. To me, that's a negative.
The other reason I don't sit out on the balcony is because of the things I like doing at home. I often sit around knitting. Could I do that outside? Yes. But somehow it feels wrong. I don't want the wool I'm knitting with to get dirty like it would if it rolled (4) around on the ground. So, I sit and knit inside, with the door to the balcony open. I probably could organise to have the wool in something so it stayed clean...
Online, I see all the wonderful things I could do to the balcony to make it look beautiful. I get inspired (5) and think about what I'd like: more plants, a couple of chairs, and a small table. Maybe I could have shelves on one of the walls and a plant growing up the other one.
And that's where I stop. It feels like too much work for the small amount of time I'd be out there.
Maybe I'll change, but for now, I'll just enjoy going outside and caring for my herbs.
How about you, ? Do you have a balcony and enjoy using it? If you don't have a balcony, would you like one, or does it sound like too much work?
Wishing you a sunny week,
Andrea
(1) pine trees - trees that don't have 'proper' leaves; they have needles (long, thin, sometimes prickly green parts). Christmas trees are pine trees.
(2) to sweep (something) up - to use a broom to push something into a heap and then remove it from where it is. I sweep the needles into a heap and then put them into a paper bag to put into one of our rubbish bins.
(3) to block - to get in the way, like a player trying to stop another player from shooting a goal in soccer or basketball
(4) to roll - to move like a ball on the ground or on a table
(5) inspired - excited with all the pictures in my mind of what I could do
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