Thoughtful musings on various topics by interesting people at Blithewold

Winter Blooms

In late February, just as my spirit is beginning to get bogged down with ice and snow, hope appears very low to the ground. So low, in fact, that I usually have to lie on … Read more.

Brave Souls

I like to think that the creators of our current calendar were trying to be kind when they made February the shortest month of the year. In all truthfulness, March has historically been my least … Read more.

Deep winter

Last week’s blizzard seem to open the gate to a real winter complete with snow storm after snow storm, and hard-core cold. We’re being tested on our ability to stay upright on icy patches, and on keeping … Read more.

What to do when it’s January-ish

So far, to me, this winter has not seemed as winter-ish as winter usually is. Of course, I’m knocking wood as I say that. Although I love the way a good layer of snow blankets … Read more.

Holiday houseplants

Given how many wonderful winter-blooming houseplants there are in the world, I find it sort of astonishing that poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is listed as the best selling houseplant in the US and Canada. But I suppose … Read more.

Happy New Era

I never much liked the idea that the world might end today. It’s so much better that it’s simply the start of a whole new cycle. Just like every other day that rolls into another … Read more.