New Leaves

Almost one hundred hours of below zero temperatures here, did you know that? It's been hard--the frigidity affects everything. The air outside smells different, especially in the mornings. Diesel fumes descend from the airplane corridor overhead, and lurk for hours. There's a stillness in the air that is different, too. It's as if the atmosphere is holding its breath. When the temperature rises to a few degrees above zero, I can hear the air moving once more. And that makes me breathe easier!

My houseplants have helped me from going completely winter-mad these last few days. Look at that schefflera bracket. It is so tiny, only half an inch across. I think it had just popped out when I happened to notice it a day or so ago. (Don't you love how infant plant leaves are so shiny and look so much like thin green plastic?) Grow, little schefflera corona! Get big and strong and probably a little dusty in your sunny spot in my dining-room window. And thanks for popping out just when you did. It meant a lot to me.