I'm not sure if I envy you or pity you...in some ways, I think how nice it would be to have all that lushness in December, but in other ways, I'm sooooo thankful for a break. Is it difficult to pace yourself to keep working throughout the year? Here, we have the excuse to lay back, have another cup, and say "Cain't do nuthin. Grounds fruz."

Valid point. Here I was just being envious of the moderate climate and rich soil.

Imagine being able to stick cuttings into the ground and they take off with no additional water or care.

Not sure if I should be jealous or not...

If I take breaks I gain weight and would have to pay for a gym membership. I need full time work outs to control weight and keep my A1C in the low red zone. I'm scared to think what would happen to my body if I was forced to take a three or four month break .
Another blue sky sunny day in the low 70s. Dragging 40lb root balls of pickerel weed out of my pond this morning.

I agree with you re: health benefits! My garden saves me the cost of a gym membership too. And I try to stay as active as I can in the winter, but come February, I almost always gain a few pounds. I've got pickerel weed too! Slimy stinky stuff to have to deal with, but love the flowers. It's a native here in PA, so if I get too much I chuck the excess into a local marsh

Slimy, stinky? Here it is gorgeous. I was surprised how big it got. Leaves were 6-8 inches, stalks 2-3 feet, nice glossy leaves and stems. When I pulled leaves it separated from the root ball easily, like pulling celery. Heaved the roots out with a rake.

The root ball...maybe it gets that way after it goes dormant. On mine, the foliage is rotting green/yellow, the texture of overcooked asparagus!

See, there you go with your weather woes. Whats "dormant"? Pickerel never goes dormant over here. New blog coming.

I suppose telling you that we are positively BASKING in 50F days and 25F nights is beyond your ken??

Todays range is a high of 74f, very comfortable and last nights low as a chilly 58f. Maybe I can warm you up by letting you know its one of those perfect Hawaiian Days. Blue skies, puffy white clouds and a light breeze.

*Digs through sofa cushions hoping to find enough change to buy a ticket to Hawaii*