tagpipspearl

The Adventures of Kate and Charlie

Part two: Attack of the halters, lots of work, and beautiful walks. It feels like just last week that I wrote about these two little terrors – time is flying by in clumps of fur, tangles of halters, and mad dashes towards the door. But I see that almost one month has flown by sinceContinue reading “The Adventures of Kate and Charlie”

The Adventures of Kate and Charlie

Part One: Cuddles, Chaos and things that Crash in the night. You know how sometimes life runs smoothly and all seems settled and well thought-out? Maybe you’ve planned your next vacations, or decided upon a new direction for your garden, or become deeply involved in a volunteer or work project and are happy with theContinue reading “The Adventures of Kate and Charlie”

Kruckeberg Botanic Garden

In Shoreline (Washington), a small, beautiful, intriguing botanical garden is tucked away in a deep, shady ravine. This woodland garden was created by Dr. Arthur Kruckeberg and his wife Mareen in 1958. Dr. Kruckeberg taught botany at University of Washington for many years (my spouse took a class from him and has fond memories ofContinue reading “Kruckeberg Botanic Garden”

In Deep Midwinter

Darks days, short in duration and long in cold, a hike in dim morning light ends in dusk. Subdued, quiet colors and shades abound. The blue in gray, the green in brown, a peek of sun through clouds. There is more to see in winter than we remember from season to season. The beauty ofContinue reading “In Deep Midwinter”

A Moment in Time

So far, this winter has given our corner of the Pacific Northwest a variety of storms – wind, rain, snow, and ice. (In fact, it is snowing as I write this but rain will return soon.) All winter storms take a toll on a landscape, especially in our old, protected urban forests. We are luckyContinue reading “A Moment in Time”

What I’ve Learned from Gardening So Far

If you do something consistently for over 30 years, it is inevitable that you will learn a few things along the way. Sometimes you learn against your will, sometimes by accident, occasionally by intention, and frequently by repetition. I’ve learned that plants are individuals – just as we in the animal kingdom are – withContinue reading “What I’ve Learned from Gardening So Far”

The Year in Review – Just a Glimpse and a Thought (or two)

A year of good hiking, beautiful terrain, horrific weather, and challenging gardening is coming to a close. Here is just a glimpse of what 2022 offered, and a few thoughts on perspective. A cold spring, heat waves, smoke from wildfires, drought, stagnant air – we’ve given our planet and its inhabitants much to contend withContinue reading “The Year in Review – Just a Glimpse and a Thought (or two)”

Autumn falls

A long, hot summer gives way to a short, cool autumn. Now autumn wraps up this year’s show and our temperatures become unseasonably cold. But through it all – fires, smoke, heat, drought, brief rain – nature endures and shares its beauty. Given freely, consistently, and to all who choose to observe. A few offeringsContinue reading “Autumn falls”

Reflections on the Yakima Canyon Drive

Heading home from our last hiking vacation in the Yakima region for 2022, we stopped at the Roza Dam area in the Yakima Canyon. A quiet, peaceful series of small ponds created by the Dam are used for recreational boating and fishing – and for enjoying some spectacular scenery. I tried a different approach toContinue reading “Reflections on the Yakima Canyon Drive”

Central Washington Agriculture Museum

I’m a fan of museums. I have managed to visit at least one museum each time I have traveled. All museums I’ve visited so far have something unique and enjoyable to see – some more than others, of course. But by far the most interesting museum I’ve visited is the Agriculture Museum of Central Washington.Continue reading “Central Washington Agriculture Museum”