This is what I saw when I woke up yesterday. Snow! In Houston! I have lived here for 22 years and this is only the second time I have seen an accumulation of snow on the ground. I believe there has been some further inland, and we once had snow on the roof, but for snow that you can take pictures of and not have to explain to people what they're looking at --- well, this is a rarity and a very special treat. It was all gone by noon and I think the temperature got into the fifties, though the wind made it feel a lot colder.

Because all the vegeatation was force-fed a massive drink of salt water from the storm surge, all their leaves died. Most plants and trees then put out new leaves so they could get some fresh water circulating. I am wondering if those tender new leaves are going to be extra vulnerable to the cold.

This Bird of Paradise was in a big pot that broke when the surge tossed it around. Things were too chaotic to go shopping for a new pot right after the hurricane, so I just stuck it in the ground -- thinking, as I did so, that I was guaranteeing a freeze this year after several years without one, and hoping that this plant can miraculously survive.