Arizona

We flew back from Arizona at midnight. At the airport, the wind bit our faces.

Cold crept up the sleeves of our shirts and shimmied down our spines.

We drove home in the dark. The next day was dim and damp, with temperatures in the 30's. Snow flurries began during the evening rush hour. I don't complain, especially to people from the Midwest, but even the hellebores are weary of winter.

Back in Arizona, the alyssum clusters in small piles of white blooms. Fronds of ferns form green bushy cones. Cacti are blanketed with round red buds. Grapefruit and orange trees are heavy with yellow and orange fruits.

Even the rainy days are pleasant, with soft showers that last for hours.

Arizona. Even the name sounds beautiful.