is it winter yet?

From: Caroline
Sent: Thursday, December 12, 2002 11:26 AM
Subject: is it winter yet?

I must say there were several times last week when I would have gladly traded my thin white skin for a thick golden pelt. There is an unwritten contract between that golden pelt and me for a walk every day around half past four and I am proud to say I have not failed her yet. Although only ten days away from the shortest day of the year we can still walk as late as 5 pm with enough light. This is the time when you can really appreciate the differences in the shapes of the trees as they stand silhouetted against a darkening sky.

The birds were tremendously hungry last week during the intense cold and I counted twelve species inside of half an hour. Today, being much milder, there's very little activity, but a flock of starlings spilled out of the sky twice, each time with an albino in their midst. Thank goodness they like the cheap cracked corn and don't go for the expensive hulled sunflower seed. By the way, there have been no squirrels - the word must have gone out. So I have not doctored any seeds or corn for at least a month.

Just before Thanksgiving a friend took me to an orchid show and had me buy several orchids. One throws its scent only at night and so it is an extra treat to go out to the greenhoiuse for a bit of parsley or a bay leaf. The tropical plants I ordered last spring have been repotted and many are blooming so there is always color. The sweet peas look great, but alas no scent. The calendulas are starting to bloom but are covered with black aphis. I have tried oil spray and Neem spray and now am trying systemic granules which you work into the soil and which get into the plant's juices. Knocking the aphids off with a stream of water does not work either. Lettuce and cress are abundant enough to pick for salads and it is like a mini vacation every time I walk in there.

Thanksgiving was tremendously enjoyed both by Zoe and me. She got to the point where she would play and could stay out all day. She also learned about canned dog food and how to snuggle in bed. I got to be with two of my sons and enter into their lives for a little bit. This of course makes it much harder to leave them, but I have recovered.

Stay well, stay warm - love Caroline