Stark

The plumeria on the back deck -- which our landscaper, Jon, gave us -- has lost its foliage for the winter and turned into bare-branch sculptures, as most of its species do.

But it is still blossoming against the stark blue of our fine, clear, cool skies ("cool" being so relative: about 80 late in the day).

This stands in contrast to the plumeria that our erstwhile landlord, Steve, gave us: a dwarf that does not drop its leaves, aside from those beset by rust. It, too, is ready to bloom again. Which gives me, as I hope you, reason to stay tuned.