Posted by: Brenda Kula | December 23, 2008
What few blooms I have just refuse to bloom. Must be lack of sun. And the shock of unseasonable cold weather.
This day before Christmas Eve, the skies are dreary and dull.
I have to be content with the foliage that has not succumbed to frost. Today I spent some time with my clippers, cutting away the casualties I found drooping and tired when I got back to Texas . Hated to make that first cut. Saying goodbye to the season.
Foxgloves that haven’t sent flowers up in months.
The palms all look fine however.
Many trustworthy and brave sedums remain lush. I have renewed respect for these plants, some of which don’t seem to have been stricken at all by the cold temperatures of the past week.
And I picked up this book while in Tulsa to read at my hotel. I haven’t had time since I got home to return to it. But it is very well-written and fast-paced. I look forward to finding out the answers to the questions set forth by the plot.
The story begins when a woman is at the ocean with her soon-to-be stepdaughter. Her fiance has entrusted her with the six year old while he is out of town. The woman is a photographer, and becomes enthralled with something she sees through her camera. Just a few moments pass. Something else catches her eye. And when she looks back, the child is gone.
The story evolves with the search for the little girl. The relationship gone awry between she and her fiance. The wedding is “postponed.” She cannot seem to reach him. For, obviously, part of him blames her.
Months pass. The mother who left the child years before comes back into the spotlight.
I am about halfway through this delicious book, but the writing is superb. You feel as though you are there, adrift in this photographer’s angst and grief and guilt. I would recommend this book on a cold night snuggled underneath a quilt and sipping hot chocolate. Trying to forget about the fact that winter is upon us and spring is months away. Thus, so are the blooms…
Posted in Books, Gardening & Nature | Tags: good book, sedums, winter
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By: nola on December 23, 2008
at 11:27 pm
Penny
By: Penny @ Lavender Hill Studio and The Comforts of Home on December 24, 2008
at 12:08 am
Thanks for the book review. I enjoy a great book and neglected to get myself one this year:-)
Isn’t it wonderful to know that the blooms will come with the beautiful skies. I too dread the inversion of winter skies we get being caught between the mountains here in the SLC Valley. We hardly see the sun for weeks on end.
My husband travels for work and can escape. It is a good thing because he suffers from SAD.
Your pictures are still beautiful whether is is winter or not:)
Enjoy your Christmas, Brenda!
By: Beth on December 24, 2008
at 12:14 am
By: tina on December 24, 2008
at 1:09 am
By: Deb on December 24, 2008
at 4:47 am
By: naturegirl on December 24, 2008
at 10:55 am
By: Jill on December 24, 2008
at 3:20 pm
Merry,Merry Christmas and may all your dreams and wishes come true.
*hugs*
By: Alex on December 25, 2008
at 1:58 am
sending many blessings
Sarah
By: sarah on December 25, 2008
at 4:44 am
Merry Christmas my friend.
Guess what? I got my Wild Life Sanctuary for Christmas from Chris and Elizabeth. They are such good kids. We’re going to put up my sign tomorrow. I also got a copper bird bath from Hud so I can have water for the birds in the winter.
Gretchen
By: Gretchen on December 25, 2008
at 7:05 pm
By: Angie on December 26, 2008
at 2:48 am
By: Carla on December 26, 2008
at 4:53 pm
By: Alisa on December 26, 2008
at 5:26 pm
Your plants are so pretty in your pictures! Ours are all snow covered and presumably gone!!
Have a restful week!!
By: Flower on December 26, 2008
at 5:56 pm
Happy Happy New Year, Hugs, G
By: Geraldine on December 26, 2008
at 8:26 pm
Thanks for suggesting the book. It looks like it would definitely be a good one to curl up with!
No more snow here…we’re supposed to have rain then ice. But we had our White Christmas!
Diane
By: Diane on December 26, 2008
at 9:08 pm
By: Tamara on December 28, 2008
at 3:19 am
I enjoy reading your blog, especially since I live near you in the great city of Gilmer, Tx. I’ve been enjoying some of the same yo-yo weather that you have. It’s hard to pick out clothes for the next day!
I was so touched by the story of your daughter’s birth. It could have been any of us. A hard start, but you did more than survive. It’s an amazing story.
I’m not very familiar with Tyler, but will be coming that way some as spring progresses. I’d really like to know what your favorite garden centers and nurseries are in the area. I’ve been to Blue Moon Gardens, and can’t wait to visit there once the weather warms up. I’m ready to dig!
Belle
By: Belle on January 11, 2009
at 10:57 pm
By: Renna on January 23, 2009
at 5:56 pm