Friday, December 14, 2007

Deep Winter Peace

There's nothing like a little icing – not too much! – to make things look festive.

Holly in ice

Following yesterday's storm, I think my crab apple tree takes the cake for strangest transformation. The tree produces clusters of pea-sized fruit (much loved by birds) on stems that turn red in autumn. Ice rime enlarged and blurred the color and form of the clusters – in the early morning the tree looked like it was laden with enormous smoky pink flowers, like fantastic spider mums. My poor digicam is easily flummoxed, but I had to try to capture the wonder.

Rimed crab apple tree

Also yesterday, following a comprehensive report from the NJ Death Penalty Study Commission and votes by the Senate and Assembly, New Jersey became the first U.S. state to legislatively abolish the death penalty. A broad coalition of prosecutors, law enforcement, victims, civil rights, religious, and advocacy groups supported the measure. The people of New Jersey have spoken; the governor is expected to sign the bill into law.

6 comments:

--Deb said...

That crabapple picture is just gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful picture of the ice storm!

Carole Knits said...

Your pictures are gorgeous. And yeah for New Jersey!

Bezzie said...

It was pretty huh? Too bad it lasted for like a few hours! Ah well we've got tonight to replenish it right?

Devorah said...

How lovely! All I got out of that storm as cold feet. *g*

Kim said...

Lovely pictures! Friday was the perfect day for taking ice pictures.