by Linda Martinson, Blue Ridge Naturalist

We often have interesting weather in Western North Carolina. One day this month, during about an hour and a half period mid-morning we experienced; fog, sudden sunshine, rain turning to sleet, gusty winds, sunshine again, and then, a lovely rainbow over the mountains. The last few days have been so cold that the rhododendron leaves are calling for help. It’s sometimes hard to get a grip on the weather in January and in our area in general.