When you live in Tucson, sun and warmth replace the snow and cold found in other parts of the country in December. This week, for example, I wrote out my Christmas cards on my sunny patio with the temps pushing 80. In shorts and a t-shirt! And I got a sunburn on my arm!
Nature here offers up winter gifts, like these lemons against an intense blue sky ...
... and oranges nestled in shiny green leaves and warmed by the sun.
Our palo verde trees are painted gold in the winter ...
... and pink bougainvillea and roses spill over stucco walls.
I don't know what kind of cactus this is, but it's full of red fruit bursting open to reveal its seeds.
We also differ from the north when it comes to our outdoor decorations. A lot of residents hang ornaments from their trees because we don't have to worry about howling snow storms knocking them down.
And these red ornaments will stay securely on the yucca leaves in my front yard. I also saw silver and gold ornaments on the tips of agave plants on today's walk.
Down the street, cheerful red bows stand out against our mountains and blue sky. I still can hardly believe I live in this winter paradise after spending most of my life up north! I mean -- that's a palm tree!
Have a colorful day
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