A huge chunk of Antarctica twice the size of New York broke away and is now free flowing and headed into the open ocean. In Cranbrook B.C. The average daytime high temperature on December 6^th for the last five years has varied from -3C to -9C. Today it is raining and +7C.

This is not normal. We are not used to rain in December although goodness knows we need it after this last summer’s drought. However the ground is frozen solid and most will run off into our storm drains and to the creeks, then river, then ocean. It needs a friable, open textured soil to soak into where it is needed.

My hiking group met for coffee instead of walking. We are not used to getting wet in December. Snow we love, but wet, ew! The remaining snow is a slushy soggy mess rather like what I was used to growing up in the U.K.  I got excited about it then but now I prefer the dry, fluffy snow that makes you feel buoyant when you walk in it and lets you know all your senses are working. Talk around the table included some guilt about carbon footprint of trips planned. That made me feel optimistic because five years ago I don’t think any of us would have even discussed it. It was not as though we were not aware but we were still on that same trajectory of seeing the world in retirement. We talk about it now, our conscience flashes orange. I like to think everyone does talks about it now and that soon, as a population we will make change. I have lived in a privileged age, post-world war two when everything   became easier and small luxuries such as travel became attainable.

Another bonus is that I have green leaves in the garden. Not particularly exciting green leaves but they are green still, Lamium, Nepeta, Lambs Ears and a Yucca. By now, normally everything other than evergreens is brown. If this trend of abnormally warm temperatures this winter continues, some shrubs may not suffer winter burn and my tender perennials may all come through. I noticed some confused iris by the house have started to grow. This is not abnormal and they will slow down once covered in snow again. However if they keep going into January they will have a rude shock if normal temperatures return.

Our plants must get used to these fluctuating temperatures as we also, must prepare for them and enjoy them as best we can.

Mist rising from the melting ice, tracks of deer and humans across what was safe a few days ago and bulbs miscalculating.