Winter Gardening

Photos by Trina and Greg
Words by Greg

Though it's winter, the garden remains. Now in memories. Now in jars. Now on the windowsill where herbs still spice our meals. Carrots, beets and tomatoes have come in from the cold and, perhaps incongruously, are now chilled or frozen and ready to serve up as winter fare.

Despite the cold and snow, some color persists outside, where hardy kale and broccoli raab hang on, under snow, or against a sunny wall. Most color is inside, where basil still blooms and where bulbs bring life and color and scent to winter days.

After last year's winter that never got very wintery, we do seem to be having an actual snowy winter this year. It's nice to have the variety of seasons. And it's nice to have the memories of our summer garden to serve up on a chilly, dark night.

Welcome to Winter

Words by Greg
Photos by Trina and Greg

We've slipped over the edge of the astronomical season into Winter. Shortest day of the year. Longest night. Plus snow on the ground and frigid temperatures that make it seem like winter, astronomical or not.

Thus, another excellent excuse to be outside. New season. New explorations. And, as usual, we don't have to go far to find things we haven't seen before. Or to see something we've seen before in a new way.

Some days the hard part is getting started, breaking away from the warm house, bundling up and heading out. Luckily we have these two little furry beasts who insist on being taken somewhere every day. And who always appreciate it when we do. And who, I think, help us appreciate it, too.

Happy winter to everyone, and don't forget to spend some of those long nights inside with friends, food and cheer.



















A small mystery here. Trina thought it might be feathery seed puffs in the water. But there were no fibers and it broke apart upon touching it. Perhaps dust or pollen frozen into ice, then released?

Dirt and Dogs

Dip

by Greg

Dip a paddle in liquid water and pull the boat forward. Time is short. Liquid will turn to ice like green leaves have turned to brown.







Today the change. Winter is upon us. Last night it snowed. The day was cold and the night will be colder. I paddled in the lake at sunset. I don't remember ever having experienced this: The inevitable drops of water that splashed onto the deck were freezing to ice. Ice thickened on the shaft of the paddle with each stroke. A narrow channel of the lake had frozen over with a thin crust that I plowed into and broke, opening the way. But soon it will be all frozen and there will be no place for boats.

Linger

by Greg

It is that time of year when any chance to linger outside on dry trails or bare sandstone is to be grabbed. I slipped away to nearby Moab with friends where the only visible snow was on the distant mountains. The amazing rock and the amazing light made for an amazing, if short, day due to some amazing wind that scoured us off the bare domes. Miles, few. But we did manage to linger and to bring home a few memories.