Quiet

The wind has let up, but not before blowing the metal tops off of the two decorative lamp posts in the front yard. It stirred up a great deal more pollen, as well, so I am now sneezing and wheezing more than ever. But I enjoyed going out in the wild dark, in spite of the pine cones hurtling through the air, hard and full of little pointy things as they are. I know from experience that getting smacked by one of those things hurts. Luckily, the trees had already dropped a large percentage of their cones during the recent warm spell, so the danger was somewhat reduced. And it was very pleasant to come in from the blustery cold, into the warm house with a cup of warm herb tea waiting.

Red

Riotous camellias poking up against my window.

Pyrocantha bushes surrounded by drunken birds.

A firey haze collecting in the tops of the apple trees as they begin to bud.

Can the roses be far behind?