For Those Missing the Flowers

Some of you dear readers are encased in ice in the Far North. We in the South feel for you. I cannot offer you the deep, bone-comforting warmth of photos from, say, South Alabama. But even here in the N.C. mountains, we have things blooming (or threatening to), this lovely January. It's warmer than usual.

In town, hellebores bloom on a residential corner.

The daffodils are definitely up! Some of these have yellowing tips.

I found a few limpid hyacinths too. The early bulbs are screaming, "It's time!"

This is cheating, since it's inside. But my mother's geranium is happy in its sunny window.

This is what started all these blooming thoughts. The camellia out front is in full bloom. My mother snipped all the wide blooms for the Sunday arrangement, but here are some fine buds that are on the verge.

Speaking of flowering things, here's an update on the recuperating African violets. As I said, I cut it in two. Violet #1 seems to be on the mend. You can tell because of the center leaves. The outer leaves, which are limp with shriveled stems, will never get any better than they are. They are useful right now to assist the sick plant in its photosynthesis, as it strengthens. (That sounds very knowing, doesn't it? I have no idea if it's true.) The center leaves are looking perky and strong. It will probably survive.

The other one, however, is looking like death. No new, green central leaves are emerging.

Adam and I went on a walk to enjoy the relative warmth and the delicious sunshine. We went on the path up the hill.

And we returned with the late afternoon sun.  I don't know how long this nice weather will last, but I want to enjoy every minute!