It’s Snowing!

Horizontal snow

“It’s snowing!” Once upon a time, I shouted those words with glee, now I stand at the window and shudder, and feel relief that I’m not required to go out in that blustery weather. The first snowfall brings mixed emotions. Part of me feels relieved that the winter season of “rest” is approaching quickly; part of me feels a bit of panic at the tasks still on the list that must be completed before that can happen.

A few minutes later the deck was beginning to get coated.

Since my outdoor plans were thwarted, I turned to the “indoor” clipboard. The foxtail ferns that live in the gazebo all summer had been pulled into the garage before the first freeze several days ago and were not happy with their current lodgings. They were moved into the kitchen sink, given a good watering and a tidy, and moved to their winter locations.

Foxtail fern viewing the snow

Then I decided to lift my spirits by potting up the first amaryllis bulb of the season. This is the new one I ordered from Brent & Becky’s Bulbs. I justified it by telling myself the “old” bulbs had only been moved to the basement and “put to rest” recently, and it would be a long time before they’d be recovered and ready to be potted. Hopefully, the earliest one brought in will be restored and ready to pot by the time this one blooms so there won’t be too large a gap, but if there is I’ll have the Christmas tree to enjoy instead.

It’s important not to bury an amaryllis bulb too deep…just about 1/3 is under the soil. Water well after planting, and then don’t overwater. Put in a warm, sunny location and wait for the magic to happen!

By then, there was enough snow on the ground to easily track a cat. Traditionally, that means the first hot buttered rum of the season, so I made a large mug and settled down to watch the Colts play the Jaguars. No Tv signal. A quick look out the window showed that the satellite dish was completely covered, so I bundled up, found my boots and trudged out with a broom to brush it off. While I was bundled and out, I pulled the hose that I’d been using all summer to water the deck planters down to the basement, so all the big pots that are now there in front of the patio doors can be watered. As I was doing that, I noticed how ugly the frozen brown coleus, portulaca and marigolds in the deck planters looked so I pulled a pair of nippers and a tub from the garage and cleaned them up.

Back into the warmth, the game was on and my mug was waiting. During the first commercial, I pulled the “outdoor” clipboard from my desk and marked off “move hose to basement” and “Clean deck planters.” By the time the game was over, nearly all the snow had melted! But, it was a good reminder that winter is well and truly on the way, so I’d better get that “outdoor” clipboard list finished asap. AND, the Colts won! It was a good day!

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