Bitter cold

I puttered around the yard yesterday, raking up rotting green figs and thinking about what to protect, if anything, from the bitter cold expected next week. Seattle will get down into the teens for several days in a row, which is quite unusual. 

And in Twisp? Most certainly well below zero. (Oh god of water pipes, protect us from freezing.) Add to the cold misery, several feet of snow falling in the Cascades tomorrow and Friday. So a travel nightmare is shaping up for the holiday weekend. 

Amanda assures her worried mother they are watching the pass forecasts and won't take chances. Much as we would miss them, it simply isn't worth it when things get that bad. It's a long enough journey in summer weather.

This lovely red camellia "Yuletide" blooms in December when no one is outside to appreciate it-- except the lone hummingbird yesterday, attracted to the only scraps of color in the garden.