Neighborhood Gardens, Part 3 We’ve had some gorgeous weather lately. Sunny, warm-ish days, lovely sunrises and sunsets, and much birdsong. Our robins are singing, crows are talking, and Steller’s jays are telling anyone and everyone within earshot that cold winter days are just a memory. In addition to all the work in the garden myContinue reading “Early Spring in the Neighborhood, and at Home”
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Someday
I wrote this poem after the shooting in Charlottesville years ago. Since that time, so many hate-filled shootings have occurred. And yesterday, another hate-filled shooting. Eight people died because of mindless, ignorant hate. Eight people murdered, simply because of their race. When will this end? Someday. Someday we will listen. Someday we will speak ofContinue reading “Someday”
Gardening Heals Mind and Body
In 1996 I was diagnosed with Connective Tissue Disease, an autoimmune disorder that causes swelling, stiffness, physical weakness, and fatigue. As with most any autoimmune disorder, its cause is sometimes a mystery and treatment is often ineffective. In my case, stress has been the primary reason for its resurgence. But I was lucky – itContinue reading “Gardening Heals Mind and Body”
In the Presence of Trees, Part 3
Humankinds’ relationship with trees is as complex and multifaceted as is our relationship with each other – sometimes more so. Following are a few quotes I have read over the years that have remained with me, and give some insight into this deep, enduring relationship. “A tree is in a forest, but there is alsoContinue reading “In the Presence of Trees, Part 3”
The Tenacity of Life
Few things in life impress and surprise me more than a plants’ ability to survive extreme conditions. From the ubiquitous dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) sprouting up through a tiny crack in a field of concrete, to a downed tree with one tenacious sprout struggling through contaminated, compacted soil on a construction site up towards the sun;Continue reading “The Tenacity of Life”
A Gardener’s Snow Day
We don’t get much snow here in Seattle, but when we do, it is beautiful! Our area received an small amount of snow overnight but a large snowstorm is forecast for tonight and into tomorrow. The following are a few of the reasons I enjoy this rare occurrence. These pictures combine last night’s snowfall andContinue reading “A Gardener’s Snow Day”
Gardening in the rain and dreaming about travel.
Sometimes common beliefs are misconceptions, sometimes overstated, sometimes plainly false – but sometimes, they are true. A common belief about Seattle is that we receive lots of rain. Buckets of rain, rivers of rain. And today, as I write this, we are receiving rain in huge amounts. We ended January three inches over our normalContinue reading “Gardening in the rain and dreaming about travel.”
Conifer Time
In a winter garden of dormant life, the conifer is king. Color, shape, texture, form – all contribute to a welcome variety of sights in a season of denuded branches, bare soil, and recurved leaves. Conifers, dwarf or full-size, create important structure in any garden, offer protection for wildlife, and offer beauty that changes withContinue reading “Conifer Time”
A Gardener’s thoughts on Genuine Hope
I watched the Inauguration of Joseph R. Biden and Kamala Harris this morning. Glued to my t.v., I wanted to see as much as possible so I put my phone aside. Joseph Biden. Kamala Harris. Biden’s Inaugural Address came from his heart and spoke with sincerity and true patriotism about the promise that this countryContinue reading “A Gardener’s thoughts on Genuine Hope”
A Winter Garden rescues the Gardener
A winter garden has an austere, understated quality enhanced by dim light and intermittent color. Beauty is present, of course, but not as prominent as in the other three gardening seasons. And this winter, only just begun, has taken a hard turn and run smack into worry. Last week my daughter was diagnosed with COVID.Continue reading “A Winter Garden rescues the Gardener”
