She's A Cruel, Cruel Woman

Like the sirens in Greek mythology who lured the sailors to crash their ship against the rocky shores, Mother Nature seduced us into thinking winter was a non-event this year. After all, more than half the days in January posted temperatures of 70 degrees or more. I thought it was wonderful.

So did the azaleas...there are blooms in all of them. In fact, the bush nearest the front door is almost in full bloom, filled with deep magenta-colored blooms. The double-pinks, smaller that those pictured above but with a double flower, are my favorite and, wisely, they're more cautious. You can see pink in all the bushes but the number of blooms bursting forward is much smaller.

Good thing as the forecast low for tonight is 22 degrees. Brrrr! I wouldn't like 22 degrees during a normal winter but it seems especially cold after the mild one we've had this year. And yes, I realize many area of the county have it much colder and some are even dealing with snow...but this is Florida, people!

So I've rigged two make-shift shelters consisting of old birdseed buckets for height, an old moving pallet for warmth and a couple of bricks for weights to protect both the blueberry bush and a pair of Inca lilies. Well, at least I hope it will protect them. If it really gets down to 22 degrees, that may not be enough. The rest will just have to fend for themselves. It does make for an easy decision on trimming the crepe myrtles though; all those baby green leaves will be black after tonight's temperatures. They just may all be cut back by Valentine's day after all.

The good news is I picked up two turtlenecks for $3 each today. If we're getting frigid temperatures at this late date, I'm going to take advantage of the winter close-outs to dress accordingly. And I'd like nothing better than to only wear them once...until next winter, of course.

We chased away the winter chill with homemade Roasted Tomato Basil soup and grilled cheese sandwiches for supper. Mother Nature may be playing a cruel joke on us with this weather but good old comfort food will give us the last laugh.

And Tuesday's predicted high? It's 70 degrees.

Comments

[Suzeyq]

Here's hoping you will be bringing those warm temperatures back soon, as we are headed your way for some winter relief!?!