Saturday, November 21, 2015

Saturday, November 21, 2015- First Snow

There is something about the first snowfall of the year. Whether it is to be 1 inch or 6 inches, everyone knows it is coming. And that can be days in advance. There is a schedule.
This time it was scheduled for  Friday afternoon or evening. Events were cancelled, including the boys state football championships in Cedar Falls.
Julia and I complied with the culture. We did our weekend grocery shopping Friday evening. We are ready. We can just not go anywhere all day.

7am
So now it is here. Outside has been transformed into that winter view that we know from years of living in the upper Midwest. The snow shovelers are out already. There is maybe 3-4 inches on the ground, but it is still snowing. And as it often goes, the wind will pick up soon and the temperatures will dip.

11am What a great morning. The shopping was done last night. We have nowhere to go. What luxury. There is always laundry. I am also bring in the amaryllis from the attached garage to a space under the stairs where it stays cool. I have about 20 at this point, in various conditions from being a single bulb to 4-5 in a pot. I like to keep them dormant until April and then take them all out at the same time.
On top of all that the snow has stopped and the sun is out.


Here is a picture of a group of Amaryllis last May.



All plants have come inside that need to come inside. The red bougainvillea, which was still blooming, stayed outside until Wednesday. We had a few days when it got below freezing in the last month. The bougainvillea came into the garage for those nights. And it is tougher than you might think. So it got its major trim job and has been told to go dormant.

Here is was earlier in the week.

That is the report from snowy Iowa City.
Philip



2 comments:

Garden Fancy said...

You told the local story well, Philip. We're holed up south of town, all the pots are inside and it's time to settle in for winter. Snow days can be enjoyable. -Beth

Unknown said...

For Thanksgiving time here in Fort Collins, we've had splendid crisp, cold temps to go with a snow-covered landscape. Cocooning goes well with it!