The past week or two have offered days perfect for long walks and easy hikes. Visiting my favorite places here in my corner of our lovely blue planet – a few botanical gardens, a beach, and neighborhoods – has offered the beauty of late winter/early spring days. From the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden in FederalContinue reading “Beautiful Days”
Author Archives: tagpipspearl
Willapa Hills State Park trail
Just outside the charming small town of Chehalis my family and I met up with one of the most beautiful hikes in Washington state. On a classically beautiful early spring day, all things came together for us – my son’s first day of vacation since 2020 (the hospital he works in has been struggling withContinue reading “Willapa Hills State Park trail”
A Winter Garden, Part 2
The month of February is a very busy time for me and Bill. Our birthdays are eight days apart and this is the month we met 50 years ago, so we combine those dates to make the entire month celebratory. In addition, we’ve continued weekly walks through the Washington Park Arboretum. In my free time,Continue reading “A Winter Garden, Part 2”
A Winter Garden, Part 1
A garden in winter. What descriptions come to mind when you hear that sentence? Cold, damp, and dark? Lifeless, or mostly so? Bare trees, mushy plant residue, saturated soil? Or lumps and bumps under a layer of snow? All can be accurate to a point. But, in truth, a winter garden often is a vibrantContinue reading “A Winter Garden, Part 1”
Simple Beauty in Complex Days
Last year, as the year before, was difficult, complicated and at times very painful. But within each day, no matter how troubled, resides a moment or two of quiet peace. Our challenge is to find these points in time and cherish them as they move from the immediate to the distant. I wish for youContinue reading “Simple Beauty in Complex Days”
Neighborhood Gardens, Part 8
Foggy Morning Seattle and surrounding regions are in a dense fog these days, accompanied by an Air Stagnation alert. Our air quality hasn’t reached the Unhealthy level yet but it certainly doesn’t smell or taste pleasant. Nonetheless, I enjoy walking in fog. It quiets footsteps, muffles voices, and alters distant views. One can imagine howContinue reading “Neighborhood Gardens, Part 8”
That Time of Year
It’s here – that time of year that I begin to dream about desert hikes. Could be the rain and fog, landslides and floods, or heavy cloud cover that brings the desert to mind; could be the damp cold – but, most likely, it is the desire to see plants that don’t grow naturally hereContinue reading “That Time of Year”
Winter: The Dark Side
In the spirit of honesty, I have decided to post a few pictures of the aftermath of our recent winter storm. Maybe this is a result of me getting older, but these days I find snow to be beautiful for just a day or two, and from the comfort of someplace warm. So, here goesContinue reading “Winter: The Dark Side”
In the Presence of Trees, Part 7
Ponderosa Pine A few days into winter brought the Pacific Northwest a snow storm complete with record cold temperatures and days that remained below freezing. We are thawing now, and rain is helping, but it is a sloppy process. I worked outside in the rain and mud this morning but called it a day afterContinue reading “In the Presence of Trees, Part 7”
The Year in Review
It’s odd – that effort of trying to keep quiet while someone is sleeping that results in being more disruptive than if you had made the usual noise – and you woke the sleeper. The effort counts, you tell yourself; at least you tried. Much like the effort of the gardener who tries to keepContinue reading “The Year in Review”
While I Was Gardening 