Jaci Dawn

We’re in a freezing weather pattern, with clear skies, arctic air flow, and freezing fog. It’s January, and the conditions are to be expected, but a lovely hoar frost is still a rare visual treat. We don’t usually sink below the freezing mark and stay there for very many days. It happens, and every time it happens, I am struck with awe.

Of course, the frost here pales in comparison to some places I have lived. We don’t get the deep hoar frost that happens after weeks of sub-zero temps and no sunshine. And I remember rather vividly the winter of 1978-1979 in Eastern Oregon, when the freeze went so deep, the water mains around town froze.

For me, the freeze is a chance to run around the yard and hunt for the perfect snapshot of frost-laced Something. Like the Oregon Grape with its red stems.

Spider webs, for instance.

And Garden Art. The wire stands out against the background when Jack Frost adds his brush.Waiting for summer. Veins in leaves seem more vivid. Frost outlines objects.Don’s Bonsai trees take on a different life when they are covered in frost. I should offer to move them into the garage. Just thought of that. Guess I will do that tomorrow. Don can’t lift anything over 15 pounds for a few weeks, so it will be up to me to save the Bonsai. But it is pretty in frost!This was my favorite photo today: the fern, delicately outlined in white, reaching out to the lens.