“Don’t waste water.” Grandpa John Dry. Dry, dusty, exceptionally hot – these are the most precise adjectives I have for describing this summer as it comes to a close. A deep, soaking rainfall in true Pacific Northwest style has been missing since early June. Past summers have almost always brought us one or two deep-soakingContinue reading “Saving Water”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Sound
Smooth small rocks tumble in waves of ocean, Round black rocks roll like marbles in a jar. Smooth black rocks shine with water and sparkle like stars in a dark silent night. We walked this beach once long ago, three of us, walking and laughing, long ago. We marveled at countless rocks so similar inContinue reading “Sound”
When the gardener’s squirrel drops the F-Bomb
We are dry here in the Pacific Northwest; dry, dusty, and hot. Our days without measurable rain are headed for an all-time record. Already we are in the top five of longest duration periods without rain. While hiking on the Washington coast recently, I took a few moments in three different areas to check soilContinue reading “When the gardener’s squirrel drops the F-Bomb”
In the Presence of Trees, Part 5
Guardians of Time Eleven trees live in our garden; 13 if I count the dwarf trees that are no taller than four feet high. Ours is not a large plot of land – just a standard neighborhood lot with a single family house of about 1,100 square feet – but it is thoroughly landscaped. NoContinue reading “In the Presence of Trees, Part 5”
The Gardener preps for coastal hiking.
A short vacation is finally coming our way! My spouse and I are soon headed to the Washington coast, the Olympic National Forest, and Kalaloch beach. As we have done for long as we can remember, we will hike as long and far as we are able. Even though we both realize that the daysContinue reading “The Gardener preps for coastal hiking.”
A Guerrilla in the Forest
Two young Douglas Fir saplings grow deep in a remote part of a shady forest. Spring-green needles soft as fur cover the young trees. A mixed forest – big leaf maples, cascara, alder – growing with a wealth of understory plants. Deep shade here; are the saplings in too much shade? But light does streamContinue reading “A Guerrilla in the Forest”
A Favorite Old Haunt
A day that could not be more beautiful enticed us to visit my spouse’s alma mater – the University of Washington. The UW Seattle campus is filled with history, beauty, and long distances offering good walking, unique sights, and intriguing gardens. The campus is home to historic trees, including its famed cherry trees which bringContinue reading “A Favorite Old Haunt”
Neighborhood Gardens, Part 7
Making the Rounds A classic spring day occurred recently – breezy, clean air, sun and clouds competing for dominance, and a true blue sky. How could I not get out and walk? The lock-down, though easing in our area, has been good for gardens and gardeners. And those of us who take long walks inContinue reading “Neighborhood Gardens, Part 7”
Neighborhood Gardens, Part 6
Sometimes my news feed is overwhelming – and not in a positive way. Shootings, on-going efforts to dismantle our democracy, voter suppression, environmental damage, bigotry and intolerance – working to improve my tiny corner of life sometimes seems pointless. At times it seems that the one step forward I take is followed by two stepsContinue reading “Neighborhood Gardens, Part 6”
In the Presence of Trees, Part 4
A Sense of Something that Is. Consciousness: Awareness of oneself within and among ones’ environment. Sentience of internal and external being. Experiencing existence as one and as community. Descartes walks into a coffee shop, sits down at a table and reads the menu. A waiter comes up to him and asks, “Are you ready toContinue reading “In the Presence of Trees, Part 4”
While I Was Gardening 