We did something drastic this February to escape those drizzly grey days so typical in the Pacific Northwest: we ran away to Ecuador. Some might say that was a bit extreme…and indeed it was, in every way imaginable.
Why Ecuador? For the ecological diversity, the culture, the climate, the coffee, the chocolate… to name a few good reasons.… Read more
This blog is not intended to be a political commentary – and yet, in light of recent events here in the U.S., how can it not be – and as a citizen of the world on this lonely planet Earth, how can we not become political – or at the very least, outraged — when we witness so much destruction that could mean the end of our very existence?… Read more
One of my main goals for the garden this year is to do a better job of tracking things. This post is about ideas for a garden journal, and I would be very interested in hearing from my readers as to what works for them.… Read more
It is a cold and windy January 1 in the Willow Room.
I have never understood why January 1 is the day we mark off an old year and decide we are starting a new one.… Read more
Dandelions shine like the sun!
Cornelian and Nanking cherries, forsythia, daffodils, nettles and purple deadnettles, the first dandelions…
It seems that only yesterday, it was still quite wintery, and on a blustery day, I was picking the sticky cottonwood buds from the nubbly branches that break off in the wind, littering the forest floor, just begging someone to come along and recognize their significance.… Read more
On this winter solstice, I cannot help but wonder – why does not our calendar begin at this turning point of darkness into light? And now that our days will begin to get longer, why are we not entering “spring?”
It seems to be the season of extremes – wind, heavy rains, even snow for us so close to sea level, and yes, also sunshine, all the more appreciated.… Read more
Early December already! I realize I have not posted anything on here since May, and the picture of those creepy-crawly caterpillars greeting me every time I went to the blog site was enough to make me turn away. I was starting to feel guilty.… Read more
Beach cleanup on an earlier Earth Day.
Earth Day! Such an opportunity to do something positive for our planet! Whether you recycle, upcycle, bicycle, reduce your footprint, make a footprint, go for a simple walk, plant a tree – so much we can do to celebrate another day of living on this incredible planet that supports life as we know it.… Read more
I’d like to share a little identity crisis I went through recently that ended up being quite useful.
It started in mid-January when I signed up for a booth of my very own at the Soroptimist Gala Garden Event. It was the first time I had ever done such a thing, and it was one of those after-the-fact flashes: “OMG – what have I done?” Nothing like laying out cold hard cash to make you feel committed!… Read more
Ahhh! At last! Whether it looks like it outside or not, we are assured that warmth is on its way! We have reached that tipping point: the day of the Vernal Equinox – when day and night are held in equilibrium.… Read more
