gardening
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Irish Inspiration to Tame My Jungle
Irish third cousins are on my mind as I grab my little hedge-trimmer and venture out into the yard. Newly retired and fresh from a trip to County Donegal, I face the neglect of my little version of Wild America. It is daunting. Saplings push their way where they do not belong—popping up in flower Continue reading
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Sleeping Beauty Gets Power Tools
Thanks to the miracle of 20 volt rechargeable lithium batteries, I now have my own weed whacker and hedge trimmer. It’s high time. After 17 years in this house, the woods are reclaiming the property. We’re close to the Sleeping Beauty scenario in which I (the Beauty) fall under a magic spell (my bed) and Continue reading
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In summer we gather, but we don’t gather chocolate
My daughter asked her two year old for dinner ideas because she was, yes, that desperate for help. “Emily, what would you like for dinner?” “Chocolate!” If it were the middle of the hectic teaching year instead of the middle of summer, my daughter might have gone along with it. Ah, but it is summer. Continue reading
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Berries and Bugs
It took a couple of weeks for the Japanese beetles to discover the blueberries. For those couple of weeks I blissfully picked a daily supply of berries, rejoicing in the amazing abundance of them. After three years of waiting, the bushes were loaded with fruit and every day or so just enough of them ripened Continue reading
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In search of green
St. Paddy’s Day is upon us along with another Winter Weather Advisory for 2-5 inches of snow. Since it’s likely the only green I’ll be seeing tomorrow will be on my shamrock scarf, I go outside this dismal afternoon to look for green. It’s not that I expect to find the riotous bloom of tulips and daffodils. I just want signs of Continue reading
Slightly Off the Grid 