January sunshine

The warm January sunshine lulled me into thinking it was a different time of the year but as I walked around the frozen backyard I could still see patches of snow in the shade. Unfortunately, the cherry tree is covered in tiny buds and July is a long way off.
Do I dare to have a look at my sage plant; the old leaves blackened by the cold but I know as in other years, the soft grey green leaves will soon appear.
The garden is still at rest but these days of sunshine make me walk the garden, inspecting and hoping that all will survive. I am always amazed at the resilience of my lavender, buried under piles and piles of snow in the front garden but come April, come lavender.