January 25, 2026

What a winter!  Did you expect we would escape un-frozen?   Feeling as if Nature herself had not deserted us for a frozen scene of snow and wind (what's a scene of wind, anyway?  I believe that such scenes have presented themselves in the news each day for some time now.)  In this first picture, it seems as if one of the small creatures of the  night had come to get a sip of water and then decided, well, maybe not tonight...  

Indoors the waxy amaryllis brought as a Chanukah present a month or so before, budding up and up.

I've never raised an Amaryllis, waxy or otherwise, before.  So watching this one has been such a thrill!    Next week we'll see the denouement!  I kept asking if she didn't want to explode this week so all could watch, but she just said, just wait.

And so we will wait and just enjoy every stage of the development of this amazing plant!  Press: another next year, please!!!!!!  In the meantime, I've sat and waited till friends had babies - a perfect winter pastime, I think.  And kept my fingers working on the little froggies .  People keep asking whence came the fabric already emblazoned with the little pawprints.  I think it must have been acquired from the dearly departed Joann's!  I have tried to order something similar from another fabric and sewing company, but none has come through so far for me.  If any of you find a source, please share!

If winter MUST share her icy chill with all of us, how nice to be indoors with such a pleasant pastime.  For all of you with outdoor occupations, my best wishes that you will share Spring with me when she finally shows up!  Please, Ms. Spring, grace us soon! At least I have learned about carrying my cane, John, with me wherever I go outside.  Speaking of outside, some of the plants (Pulmonaria, two shots and a Thistle of some sort).

Here are some of my favorite critters from iNaturalist.org.  First, a fly called Discobola annulata.  Second and third, some kind of Spider.  The Spider seems to be impersonating a dance instructor!

Here are a few other critters we saw this week.  Here are two shots of the Eastern Boxelder Bug.  

Here is a magnificent open place in the ice. You can still see the footprints partially frozen into the ice.  Right: the lake stretched out. 

Anything else to point out?  Hmm. This may be about it for the week!  You had better stay in and keep warm.  It was about 12 F when I looked at my bathroom window thermometer a few minutes ago.  I am going to stay in and keep as warm as possible!

See you next week.   I wonder what strange things will be going on "out there" by then.  You take care and keep warm!  Love, Martha

PS:  The next thing you see flowering may be this Japanese Quince, always one of the first flowers out of the gate!

KEEP WARM!