First Day of Winter

28 this morning, frosty with a cold-looking sun rising just an hour ago over the ridge.

Here we are, the first day of winter. Also my husband's late father's birthday. Born around 1919, he'd have been a very old man indeed had he lived, but years of working in the coal mines--as a full miner since he was 13--decimated his health, and he passed away at 72. I wonder what he'd have made of the world today. Yesterday was grandson Clayton's birthday; he's in the Navy but in home port now so got to celebrate the day with his wife.

Outside, it's not looking very wintry. Last year we had little bits of snow almost every day in December but this year is a different story, with temperatures in the 40's and 50's most days, and sometimes even warmer than that. So we have flowers in bloom. It is surprising to me at this time of year, but there they are in the gardens, looking so pretty and oddly out of place.

Pansies

and Calendula, both still holding their own, if a little battered.

The Calendula self-seeded this year and have taken over a part of the garden, but I'm happy with that, as they are one of my favorite flowers. So low maintenance and unassuming.

The grape arbor looks almost skeletal at this time of year.

The barberry has a few red berries still, apparently missed by the Cedar Waxwings. Or maybe they don't eat these? I know they eat holly berries as they denuded my sister's tree a couple years ago, so it would seem likely that they eat barberry berries as well.

Plenty of green still in the grass,

and on the root cellar door.

But in the woods, the only green is pine, and the hardy ferns. 

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