The weather was a little different a year ago.
We had snow last year. So much snow, starting right after Christmas. Snowdrifts were over my head. It was a nightmare. I posted these pictures January 27, 2011:
About a year and three weeks ago
About a year ago
Today? It was about 50 degrees. I like this year much better. So far. I’m not counting on anything. But if for no other reason this year is miles and miles better than last. So far. Sort of.
Also a year ago was the twenty-fifth anniversary of the loss of the shuttle Challenger. Seems like a long time ago, and seems like it just happened.
Stewartry 
Oh dear, I remember that. Terrible day. That is such a great picture of them, though. They are happy, smiling. I’m glad you posted that so I can remember them that way.
I can’t look at the smoke trails. I was a huge Trekkie and space geek, and this broke my heart.
I, too, saw it happen on TV. Working at the time on Hudson Street in Manhattan on the top floor of a magazine trade, saw the ball of fire on TV, looked out the window at a view of Manhattan on the hill and expected the buildings to disappear, too, like in some superman movie.
But I thought Reagan was president when the Challenger blew up and was in the 1980s. Am I thinking of something else? Oh well, I must be way off the mark.
Anyway, great picture, another Proustian madeleine dipped into tea and bringing it all back. Memories are invasive, but changed to the way I like to remember, sometimes.
Oh good grief, I said “tenth”, didn’t I? It was 1986, so it was of course the 25th anniversary. My head must have been elsewhere!