A December Day

"That's no December Sky!
Surely 'tis June
Holds now her state on high
Queen of the noon.

Only the tree-tops bare
Crowning the hill,
Clear-cut in perfect air,
Warn us that still

Winter, the aged chief,
Mighty in power,
Exiles the tender leaf, 
Exiles the flower."
       (Robert Fuller Murray 1863-1894 - A December Day)

Today is my Aunt Evelyn and Uncle Howard's wedding anniversary. They were married 80 years ago, Wednesday, December 2, 1936. Was that day as temperate as is this December day? (Sunny; almost 40° at noon.) My teen-aged, future mother had not yet begun her later habit of recording the daily highs, lows, precipitation and clouds or sun in her diaries. She only recorded "Got meat ready to cold pack this a.m. Evelyn & Howard were Married today also Marvin and Helen."

Our Autumn this year was long and warmer than usual. That 'aged chief' did not exile the tender leaves and flowers until late November.

Even today there are a few purple blooms on the hyssop.

The lavender is still thriving and look what has come up near it - dill plants! My dill always self-sows from dropped seeds in the spring, but in December?!

Likewise the lambs ears and coral bells are still growing. Maybe all the fallen leaves help insulate them.

It was a good growing season for the hen and chicks. This pot is FULL and the ones in the strawberry jar also did well. There's never been a problem wintering over these succulents, though the cold weather usually kills a few.

The lovely 'Royale Peachy Keen' verbena flowers are done for this year but there is still some green showing on the plants. Oh how I hope I can find this verbena again next year. Love their gorgeous color and ease of care. The dusty miller looks like it is still alive and really looks just right for winter with its snowflake appearance.

The water in the bird bath hasn't frozen. I'd best get it emptied before the forecast change in weather is upon us.

"That's no December Sky!"