A rare January day. . .

While other folks have gone or are heading south for the winter, we are enjoying a glorious January day.  Temp reads 34 degrees.  My neighbor is out working on his car.  I spent time filling the bird feeder and just doing a few odds and ends outside enjoying the sun and blue sky.
We have had some cold-cold weather since Christmas.  Today it may be a plus 34, but just a couple of weeks ago it was a -34 degrees.  I know because that day I was out clearing the eight inches of snow we got.  Dad's voice was running in my head, "Avis, this is really dumb!"  That spate of cold weather some of my equipment started heating up.  There are now a couple of cords and my small snowblower sitting inside my back door.  With no heated garage I had to do something to keep them warm!  I used them again a week later and they performed to perfection.
Then, of course, we start with the melting.  Anytime we get warmer weather the snow starts to melt and we get ice!!  It also rained just a little one day -- enough to make it a real test of valor when you went outside to walk.
I guess what I am doing is giving you a full taste of Montana weather --  if you don't like what you are getting -- just wait ten minutes and it will change!!  I actually saw a lady out today walking around her house looking at her flower beds!  If she has planted crocus,  the minute things warm up just a little, they make their appearance.  Late last fall I got the bug to plant some more iris, glads, crocus, tulips and daffodils.  I am anxious to see how many of them make it come spring.  Everything did beautifully last year in spite of our drought. If I get a good crop I will share pictures with you.
After Christmas I brought three poinsettias home from the church.  I can't bear to see any plant thrown out if there is hope of life. Consequently I am moving things around trying to find places for the poinsettias along with my summer dried strawberry hydrangeas in vases, my succulents and an ivy.  There is also a bamboo stalk, two actually, which are doing pretty well.  I think I need to donate some somewhere.  Any takers out there??