Christmas weather

It looks like Christmas indoors at our house. I started decorating the day after Thanksgiving. 

I am making a point of reading in the evening, ensconced in my grandfather's chair in the red room with the my glittery pink tree aglow.

"The Animal's Merry Christmas" was one of our favorite books as kids. So I had to buy a copy when it was reissued a few years ago. I read a couple of my favorite stories and then turned to some I remembered less well. "Green Christmas" is a long poem where the animals say

"When the ground is bare of ice and snow,

And stars are bright, and the winds don't blow.

Hurrah for Christmas and still no snow."

In the days when I used to drive or fly out East to spend Christmas with my family, nothing would have made me happier than a dry, green December. Pretty much the weather we're having now. The temperatures the next few days are all going to get up in the 40°s, culminating in a potential high on Wednesday into the 60°s. It's a weather pattern that I no longer desire and can barely enjoy. 

These days I agree with the townsfolk in the poem:

"It's not like Christmas without some snow!"

Sigh the townsfolk, wishing the wind would blow — 

I don't need any blowing wind, but I would be happy to have the seasons resemble those I grew up with; before we unleashed climate change upon ourselves and our world. 

Comments

[Kristin]

Yes. I still have dianthus and anemone blooming, and it's frightening. On a happier note, your tree is lovely and the red room is very inviting.

[Linda Brazill]

KRISTIN — The red room is definitely a perfect location to showcase for Christmas.

[Christine]

I grew up on Wisconsin and moved to the Pacific Northwest about 40 years ago. Even after all this time I still find the winters here way too green…and wet. I especially miss waking up to the filtered gray/white light on a snowy day.
I hope the Madison weather cooperates and your Christmas is appropriately white.

[Linda Brazill]

CHRISTINE — I don't like winter driving but I love the garden covered with snow — for looks and protection. Going from our climate to the PNW is a big leap to get used to. ​

[Kris P]

I love your red room with the cheery pink tree! Having spent my life in one or another area of SoCal, a snowy Christmas day is almost beyond my imagining but I think I'd enjoy it. The Los Angeles Times recently ran a story predicting that climate change probably eliminate snow in our mountain areas during this century, which will not only disappoint people near and far for personal reasons but will fundamentally destroy the water system California has relied on forever.

[Linda Brazill]

KRIS P. - Winter sports are a big money maker here, but we depend on snow to protect plants and for snow melt to replenish our groundwater.

[danger garden]

Beautiful Christmas display! It was chilly this morning (34) but still no killing frost in my garden. We bit the bullet and bought flights to Spokane for Christmas, horrendously expensive. I was tempted to see if we could drive but it would be just my luck that a ice storm would happen in the Gorge and we'd be stuck at home.