While I Was Gardening

Our weather has been unusual, so far. Middle-spring into early summer has seen temperatures in the high 80’sF and one day of 91F (32.8C), then down to low 60’s the following days. This up and down cycle continues through today. Tough for people and pets, and especially difficult for our farmers. In addition to unpredictable temperatures, however, is how dry we are. Washington...

Spring glides into summer on a cool, gentle day. Warm days and nights ahead, threats of wildfires and drought loom, plants and animals attempt to cope with rapid-fire environmental changes, and humans try to ease into the season. But amid unpredictable weather and the resulting changes, there remains enough beauty to fill us with joy.

A few scenes from a lovely spri...

Bill and I have found a new (to us) area for some fantastic hikes – Coal Creek, outside of Bellevue, Washington. We read about the area in a recent Sunday newspaper magazine article and it looked interesting enough to try it. What an outstanding experience! We hiked 4 miles through dense forest, down into a deep ravine carved by the Creek, among the remnants of coal mining, a...

Some gardeners can grow anything. Put a plant in front of them that is 99.9% dead and they can revive it to the point of perfection within two seasons. Some people can shove a stick in the ground and – what do you know! – it’s a shrub by the following spring! I’m not one of those gardeners (except dogwoods – they grow well here). I continue to strive towards such a success ra...

Odd weather, lots of projects, some good hikes, and time out with our son have made for a lovely spring so far. And while all that has been happening, I have managed some gardening, as well. Here are a few of the highlights from home: