The Month is January, the Year is 2025 – and I’m back

Jan 22

Not that I went anywhere, but between family, travel, engagements, tennis and taking naps every now and then, this blog kind of faded away.

I’m back, and ready to share all the cool plants from my garden, like fancy caladiums and asian mayapples

Apparently, it is an axiom, well known I may add, that if you don’t post on social media all the time, you will become redundant. That may be so for TikTok people and Gen Zs, but for me, I will get with you as often as I can. If I miss a date or two, please don’t toss me in the forgotten rubbish bin. Like the Phoenix, I will rise again.

Let’s see, where do I start.

We have been traveling a little since we last met. Susan and I were fortunate to travel to Alaska, Iceland, and Maine in 2024. We went to Alaska with my favorite man in the world, my brother Howard, and his wife, Phyllis. We all seem to get so tied up in our own lives that things get in the way of seeing family as much as you would like. That they live in Southwest Ontario and we live in North Georgia is a good reason, but it is only an excuse. Anyway, we had so much fun together we will be doing it again in Europe this fall.

My brother Howard, Phyllis, Susan and me, glacier gazing

We wanted to get to Iceland before it was too overrun with tourists, and we discovered large waterfalls and large fish while there. We have experienced the ultimate in freshness, when we sat in a small restaurant enjoying a fish and chips dinner, the fish being the cod we caught a few hours ago.

Mr. Cod was simply minding his own business

Susan, enjoying Mr. Cod a few hours later

Everything is more beautiful in Coastal Maine Botanical Garden, especially hydrangeas

And as for Maine, we rediscovered the beauty of Booth Bay Harbor and the Coastal Maine Botanical Garden. Travel is an education, no matter how old one is – I am a perfect example.

How else can I catch you up

Well, my aged body and I are still playing tennis. The old expression, “Motion is Lotion,” comes to mind every time I find myself lathering pain lotion on all the aching muscles I have earned from running around. However, we faked it again and won the state championship in Savannah in September. After defeating many states at the Regional competition in October, we lost in a tiebreak set to the eventual winner, Alabama. But great fun, indeed. I will play as long as this old body holds out. Cheer me on; I need all the help I can get.

Kate, 16 yrs, Hampton, 20, Mary Grace, 22 , Will, 18, Ben, 18, Drew, 21, Allan & Susan, ageless

I won’t get a whole lot more personal here, but while writing this, I feel like we are at a reunion, and everyone is talking about their adventures all at once. While I have the mic, I must share another amazing feat - we managed to get (most of) the family together for Thanksgiving. You have met a few of them in passing, but let me reintroduce the remarkable grandkids. Unfortunately, our 8-year-old granddaughter Avery was unable to get there from Canada. I don’t remember getting older, when did they?

It is January, winter is upon us. A bit of snow and cold in North Georgia have arrived, but everything is relative. It is in the 20s and 30s as I write this, can you believe that most schools, even the University of Georgia, closed early yesterday because of the cold and “potential” snow and remain closed today. However, this old Canuck has mellowed and I am pleased that caution has won out. Ice, particularly black ice, respects no one. Thank goodness for our 4 seasons, they are absolutely necessary for me. And even though locals here complain, the freeze will abate and the snow and ice will disappear in a few days. I love the cold and snow here, but I seem to be a minority. Come visit in the spring.

My son, Jonathan is living with his family in Oakville, ON, a stone’s throw from Toronto. He was raised in North Georgia and still getting used to the cold there. He complained that the temperature this morning was -14C (~7F). Being the old curmudgeon that I am, I suggested he stop complaining and get out the ice skates; the outdoor rinks would have perfect ice at that temperature. He ignored my advice.

Our Coral Bark maple gives us color even when skies are gray

My garden today looks awful, however, the coral bark maple is doing its thing, giving us a ray of color even as the temperatures remain stubbornly below freezing.

Speaking of cold

This cold, especially if you have snow cover, is doing our bulbs and our perennials a world of good. They will emerge more vigorous than ever, assuming they have not frozen. Seriously, most every plant in your garden will be better off for the cold. Where cold really is an issue is in areas that have late frosts; on those 20F nights when all the buds are swelling and the early blossoms opening. Here’s hoping we have none of that this year.

Find all my Favorites Here

The printed and the online catalogs are arriving every day. Order all those cool new perennials and shrubs early. There are so many wonderful things to try; I have mentioned many of my recommendations in my Favorites columns.

Find the Article Here

Speaking of getting out in the garden, you might want to get a cup of tea or coffee and read about my thoughts, penned 14 years ago. I mention this not because they are something new from me, but because when I rediscovered the article, I could have written it today. People have very much enjoyed it, I hope you do as well.