Category Archives: Uncategorized

Plum Jam And Pandemic Prickles

A gift indeed Of Plums And Roses This has been a very hard few weeks, and the best thing about them is that the neighborhood plums are ripe. Cooking, preferably cooking for others, is one of my favorite self soothing … Continue reading

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Heat And Light

As an indicator species, I’m delighted that she is making her summer home with me. It means that despite the tiny size of my garden overall and the ridiculously teeny shade garden, there’s enough food and shelter for her here. No toxic pesticides, of course (!). Since our cats are strictly indoor critters with their own lovely catio/greenhouse/sunroom, she has only natural predators like crows and snakes, which so far haven’t made their way into the sheltered, partially covered shade garden. It’s a very small world, but perhaps it’s enough. I’ve added a nice smooth rock for her to rest on, and I’ll certainly be sure to keep the birdbath bowl just full enough so she can keep her head above water and stay cool when the heat is on. Continue reading

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At The Crossing Of Bitter & Sweet

Reveling In Chicory, Endive & Radicchio Chinese medicine practitioners often note that Westerners don’t know how to “eat bitter”. The phrase refers both to foods, such as bitter tea, bitter greens, and bitter melons, and to the capacity to withstand … Continue reading

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Butterfly & Pollinator Picnics

Asclepias speciosa Winsome West Coast Natives Yesterday, March duly arrived with chilly, wild winds, but now skies are blue and the temperature is finally rising; we may even hit 50 degrees today! As I’m clearing the garden of fading foliage … Continue reading

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