The month of September has been busy, hectic, noisy and at times worrisome. My son was home with us for two weeks recovering from surgery, my husband had a five hour ER visit, and we had our 30-year-old back decks rebuilt. In addition to the above, the Seattle area contended with heat and smoke fromContinue reading “Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Beauty from Destruction
Here in the PNW, we’re mostly surrounded by wildfire. To our north, to the east of us, and from the south. To our west is a breath of clean, fresh air – the Puget Sound. Beyond the Sound – the Olympic Mountains, the Salish Sea and the Pacific Ocean. And these bodies of water bringContinue reading “Beauty from Destruction”
Falling into Autumn
A warm, smoky walk recently was interrupted with periodic cool, clean breezes, reminding me that autumn will soon arrive. Colors are changing, some plants come into their own this month, and days grow shorter. Before long, a vibrant and lively atmosphere will replace the worn out days of summer. I always look forward to theContinue reading “Falling into Autumn”
Cleaning Out and Moving On
This post has nothing to do with gardening, hiking, travel, or any of the other topics I’ve written about to date. This post is a result of my spouse and I having cleaned out and vacated the storage unit we’ve had for decades. So, feel free to skip this one if you want. I’ll returnContinue reading “Cleaning Out and Moving On”
I’m sorry! I didn’t mean it!
You know how you do something that you didn’t mean to do, and as you’re doing it you know it’s wrong, but you can’t stop yourself? Like, for instance, squishing a bug? Or, smashing a bee? Or, maybe . . . like sending a spider flying over your hedge and into your neighbor’s yard soContinue reading “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean it!”
In the Shade of Giants
I was offered cool, refreshing shade on a long walk early one warm July morning. This gift is received with much gratitude – I wish I could reciprocate. What they give us, we must treasure and protect.
Summer Delights
So far, this summer has been beautiful. Gentle weather, stunning skies, no drought (yet), thriving plants – not much more to ask for this small corner of our planet. In between long day trips and longer weekends of travel, I’ve been taking in the sites on my various walking routes. I thought I’d share withContinue reading “Summer Delights”
Cowiche Canyon Trails, Yakima
Part 2 of our Yakima Summer brought us to the Cowiche Canyon trail system, maintained by Cowiche Canyon Conservancy and the BLM. In dry, windy heat we came to see the immense and unique beauty of this shrub-steppe landscape. Arid, sparse, rocky, rugged and at times disorienting – with over 30 miles of hiking trailsContinue reading “Cowiche Canyon Trails, Yakima”
The Cookie Journal, Part 2
This morning was beautiful – an overcast thin and pale, a breeze slight and easy, warmth from the east countering cool from the west, and streets quiet and empty. Beautiful PNW morning. On early mornings such as this when I am between projects and work and chores, walking is even more appreciated than at mostContinue reading “The Cookie Journal, Part 2”
Yakima Area Arboretum Garden Tour
A few more pictures from a thoroughly enjoyable garden tour, sponsored by the Arboretum. A wide range of garden styles, sizes and ages were represented. One garden, in particular, filled a luxurious five acres with beds of full sun to full shade perennials, on slopes and flat areas, two very large ponds, and a uniqueContinue reading “Yakima Area Arboretum Garden Tour”
While I Was Gardening 