Happy Holidays!

With last night's snow and today's wind, it's a good day to update this blog. While I miss living in the woods, there are some advantages to living in a town. First, we're already plowed out. Second, we are able to drive around town to look at lights. Downtown is festive with lighted trees and wreaths as well as individual businesses and their decorations. Our neighbors near and far have decorated as well. Our outdoor electricity set up is odd, so I have one outdoor decoration, but lights in the windows facing the street. The long nights can be difficult for someone who loves sunlight, but the color and sparkle highlight neighborly spirit and hope. 

More Snow!

We have a nice, two-inch coating of snow, which is predicted to melt. Elsewhere in Minnesota, the same snowstorm dumped 20 inches and more. The photo shows my garden beds and compost bin. The photo below is my hibiscus. I had seriously considered composting it, but I didn't have the heart. So I bought a new container and potting soil. It's doing well so far, and I'll set it back outside in May. I have been spraying it with neem oil, which seems to be the only thing that takes care of fungus gnats. Or maybe they're fruit flies.  I didn't have a problem at the old place, so I'm learning. Thomas Jefferson said, "But tho an old man, I am but a young gardener." So true!