Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Harsh Winter Weather

I can just see Gina now, living it up in Chicago. She's probably curled up under a blanket, sipping cocoa and reading a garden book, pausing only occasionally to gaze out the window at the enchanting winter scene outside. The trees on her street are glazed with ice, reminiscent of a Currier and Ives Christmas Card, and everyone is in a jolly mood. And what adventure there is to be had, when she hears a loud crack, then a crash, and then the house is plunged into darkness! I assume this hasn't happened yet, since she is still posting to her blog, but I know she is waiting with anticipation to spend a few nights by candlelight in a cold house...

Meanwhile, back here in boring old North Carolina, it's another (yawn) day of balmy 80 degree sunshine. Do I get to hang out in the house eating bonbons and reading garden blogs? No! I have to do that at work, because when I get home, I have tasks waiting for me. There are leaves at the curb to be stolen, and I must be quick about it as the trees are nearly bare, and I hear the rumble of the leaf truck in the distance. I contemplate the expansion of yet a third border, and puzzle over the best placement of the five new roses I acquired from Judy the Rose Tamer. (There aren't many people who will send perfectly good roses to someone they don't know without expecting a credit card number, so that tells you what a quality human being she is.)

I have been remiss in participating in Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day, and so I'm anxious to get some photos of the pincushion flowers and verbena that are still blooming, and the new pink blossoms on the creeping phlox (I am not making this up!). So, I pour a tall glass of lemonade to slake my thirst and bravely venture back out into the elements again. How in the world do people ever garden in a climate such as this!

8 comments:

Nickie said...

Yup, you have it SOOOO hard :) I think I'll curl up with hot cocoa under a quilt with all my garden reading material tomorrow :)

Lisa at Greenbow said...

80degrees!!! I thought it was heavenly to have 62 yesterday. Sure doesn't feel like winter here either. It is supposed to change here the next few days to winter. We will see.

Can't wait to see you blooms. I feel lucky to have a spot of green that isn't lawn here and there.

IlonaGarden said...

We had one sweet gardening day like that here in Ohio- after the picture perfect Currier and Ives print and before the predicted storms of this week.

But blooms? will have to vicariously enjoy yours;)

Robin's Nesting Place said...

O.K. not fair! I've already been wondering how I could extend my Christmas time home in Alabama. I'm so envious of that warmer weather. The sun finally made a brief appearance today after quite a few days of dreary rainy weather. Enjoy your time outside.

Anonymous said...

Phhhhht! I'd be a lot more sanguine about the Currier & Ives look if I didn't have to scrape ice off the sidewalk for 4 days running, and have to walk to the train on other people's unshoveled sidewalks. Winter wonderland, my butt....

Connie said...

Hard to imagine, as we are buried in snow. But, hey....I'm not complaining, as we really need the moisture!

Benjamin Vogt said...

Boy, I wish I wouldn't have stumbled on to this blog. It's entries like this that make me dive off the deep end.... Still, I may come back and read some more if you promise not to do this again.

David said...

It's tough, Nickie--tough!

20 degrees above normal is much nicer in December than August, isn't it, Lisa?

I'll post pictures before the cold gets them, Ilona.

Thanks Robin, would you believe I had to work all week? Inside?

LCShores...do I detect some hostility toward winter???

I'd take some snow, Connie. It's really dry here too.

Welcome Benjamin--I'll try not to gloat too much. I'm sure I'll be repaid with an ice storm or two.