Here are scenes from last night’s candles.  

Here are the four lights from last night, Misu observing from the safety of under the table, and my lucky loaded dreidel (it always lands on gimel, for real).  All dedicated to the memory of my boss, Erik.  May his pastures be greener than it is down here on this frigid morning.

It’s in the 20s, and everything is frosty and frozen.  My son is going to have extreme climate shock when he gets back from Australia, where it’s in the 80s and 90s.  I can’t even find photos to take from indoors.  All I can do is plan my spring garden, and shiver.

I refer to my late great Danish boss, Erik Rosenbaum, may he rest in peace.  It’s strange how you get these premonitions, and then it turns out someone’s gone forever.

I had to have been one of the most obnoxious, OCD, high-maintenance employees in the history of Sun Nurseries, but I was always treated graciously and appreciated, for what I don’t know.  That ten years brought me through an extreme purging process, in no small part thanks to my patient, long-suffering bosses, managers, and co-workers, who had more faith in me than I warranted.

Now, looking back, I realize belatedly how much those years and this wonderful employer meant to me, and what a mentor and role model Erik was to many of us.  He was a true scientist, but more, a person of high standards and integrity.  I remember his sense of humor, and the work ethic he demonstrated by jumping right in there with us, even into his older years.  But I guess he wasn’t immortal, after all.

I didn’t keep in touch enough to know of the difficult medical issues he dealt with the past few years.  Characteristically, his mind was still strong even as his body deteriorated to where he couldn’t speak or move.  Though I never really knew him, the sense of loss I feel says a lot about the significant role he played in my growth.  He will be missed by all of us fortunate enough to have worked for him.

Appropriately enough, it’s a freezing gray day here, much colder than the average for this time of year,   with icy stuff coming down intermittently.  Bleh.  Even Misu is smart enough to adjourn to warmer parts (mostly E’s lap).  She brings to mind Erik’s lovable cat Mia, the mascot of the nursery.  The only lifelike plant life I care to photograph today is likewise indoors.

The fourth day candles await lighting; tonight they’ll also serve as a symbolic memorial light.  And most importantly, my eagerly awaited Seed Savers 2019 catalog has arrived, signifying it must be unofficial winter!  Time to start daydreaming about improved gardens, another reminder of how Erik and Sun contributed to my love of horticulture and botanical pursuits.  He loved experimenting with pawpaw trees; I think I shall plant one in his honor.

As threatened, I managed to find some colorful life hanging in there on this cold, bleak day.  I’m not above including winter garden greens, or even non-native invasives that were already here, anything for the sake of color and texture.  It’s just part of the challenge, working with what I’ve got, this time of year.  Like a blank slate, the trick is in the imagination.

Happy Chanukah Day 2!  Here are the obligatory candle lights from last night, Misu festively imbibing, and a Sephardic dish I made from scratch from dry chickpeas, aromatic Middle Eastern spices and herbs, couscous, tomatoes, etc., served over fresh greens from the garden (and the obligatory leftover latkes).  It’s back to very cold out, so I’m running out of nature photography, but I’m sure I’ll remedy that.

Yeah, I know, too many mixed metaphors and puns, just eat it!  I’m a latke frying machine.  These are Sephardic-style, as is my custom.  And instead of sour cream and apple sauce (yech) I made a fresh apple cranberry yogurt dish to offset the latke spices.  Not bad, if I do say so.

Just to be different, now I’m going back in time to this morning’s sunrise being enjoyed by Misu and me.  I figure, if my son in Australia can be 16 hours into the future, and my brother in California is 3 hours behind, time is just a relative concept.  As is apparently the season.

Here are yummy pecan cookies by E, and a toast by me.  L’chaim, and Happy Chanukah, y’all.  May you get all gimels.

E made these very good egg noodles from scratch.

Then we went outside on this perfect springlike day in December to do our final mowing of the season.  With all the leaves ground up into the green grass, it does look more like spring than fall.

Afterwards, we did a  “Gibbs” out in the shed.  NCIS geeks will know.  Here’s the view from the shed door.  The bare trees are the only thing that give away the fact that it’s December, and almost time to light the first Chanukah light.  I miss having family to do it with, but you make the best of the situation you’ve got.

After a windy, rainy thunderstorm last night, through which Misu slept blissfully unaware, most of the leaves are finally down, it’s in the mid-50s, and headed for–wait for it–a sunny 70°!  You’d think this was Australia or something.  The sun rose through mist shrouding this pleasant autumn scene.

It’s going to seem strange mowing the grass in December, but it’s perfect conditions for the season finale.  Maybe a little balmy for erev Chanukah, but that’s Tennessee for you!

It’s already tomorrow in Australia, so g’day and Happy Chanukah to Avdi down under!  I wish you light and miracles.

It’s a pleasant rainy 61° day for a Cat Standoff.  Joey had the nerve to relax on Misu’s porch, so the two of them were just sitting and howling companionably at each other for a while.  Then Joey happily followed me around the garden, while Misu, disapproving, did her camouflage thing.  I have to edit the photos just to be able to make her out!  See that look of disdain.  Interloper!

Meanwhile, an audience of tiny rodent-dogs were yapping away in the background.  They pretend to be ferocious, but secretly they like me, go figure.  I must be desperate.  Maybe I have petting zoo envy–my son got to take selfies with friendly(?) Aussie critters such as a kangaroo (wallaby?), an emu-looking thing, and a koala.

I’m running out of flowers to take, but there are lots of other subtle colors to be found.