December 12: Winter azaleas

I saw something that pretty well encapsulates the nature side of Why I Can't Put Away My Floor Fan All Winter: blooming azaleas. It was, for this area, a bitterly cold day. Temperatures around freezing with strong, gusty winds. But there they were, these whole bushes with delicate pink flowers that really belong in April or May. Indoors, I may get out my little space heater sometime around the end of November, but because it could, at any time during December, January and February, become muggy and warm, I have to keep out my fan at the same time, and my apartment it cluttered with cords and climate-coping appliances for all seasons.



We can rely on summer. It's winter that's fickle here, and even the plants get fooled sometimes.

December 13: Lonesome birdfeeder

I filled the bird feeder a couple of days ago in anticipation of the arctic weather, but haven't seen any birds around it yet. Usually it takes birds less than a day to find the food, if they're out and about. I wonder if it's just too cold and windy for them to be seeking out new food sources at the moment. I would think the weather would make them hungrier, but there's a lot I don't know, even about backyard birds!