The MacAlba

On leaving the house, on my way to take the dogs for a jog this morning, I stopped by the mini-max thermometer to see what the overnight temperature had been. The thermometer said it had dipped to -1 degrees C (30 degF). That would explain the slight white sheen to the otherwise browned-off grass down the slope. I had noticed on previous mornings that the frost-bitten strawberry leaves of just a few weeks ago had now begun to be replaced by fresh green leaves.

Then I saw the strawberries. Surely not! It’s mid-winter. The rain and slightly higher temperatures than is the norm at this time of year must have fooled the plants into believing that we’re further into the growing season than we should be. Oh well, there are still several weeks of winter left. Time enough to stun the strawberries back into their normal winter rest.