It’s cold enough that the heat came on, and hot air ruffles the leaves of the peace plant. I had to look up the name of this plant. I’ve had a smaller one for years, but never knew what it was. Now that I have a large one (given to us at Dad’s funeral), I feel a greater responsibility to it, am working harder to keep it healthy, to coax its airy white flower — which shoots up, seemingly out of nowhere — in bloom.

In from outside is the cactus, the large fern and — new this year — a hardy, happy thyme plant. (We’ll see how long it’s happy inside.) They join a profusion of cut flowers — bouquets from Suzanne’s arrival — all making the house cheerful.

As flowers fade outdoors they bloom indoors. I’d rather have the profusion of summer, but when that’s not possible this is the next best thing.