Solstice

North northeast. The shortest day, the longest night. 

South southwest. 

Winter daphne is budding. Guess that's why they call it "winter." 

Another Month

North by northeast three months ago

South by southwest three months ago

North by northeast two months ago

South by southwest two months ago

North by northeast one month ago

South by southwest one month ago

North by northeast today

South by southwest today

Winter Casualty Report

Miss 'otis regrets ... she's unable to thrive in sub-freezing weather. It's been down in the low 30s/high 20s, and there was frost one morning. It rained last night, so the weeds are thriving, and most of the rest of the plants look okay. But I fear that the stephanotis won't make it. The basil has pretty much had it, too, but I trimmed it back and when the weather warms up as it's supposed to do later this week, we'll see how it does. 

The climbing hydrangea doesn't look too great (even when the picture is in focus), but I think this is seasonal loss of leaves. 

In the Bleak December

North by northeast. Not exactly the fell hand of winter yet, is it? 

South by southwest. Only the color of the leaves gives the time of year away. The vine at the left is doing splendidly, as is the morning glory back near the fence. But midway between them the hydrangea is yellow of leaf. I don't know whether it's supposed to be this time of year.