We all have a place in the scheme of things. Ask Rocky. He knows.   When I was the Executive Director for an animal welfare organization on Whidbey Island in Washington I came in contact with many dogs. Rocky was found hanging out in the middle of a street, basking in the sun, … [Read more...]

Just when you think it is over, it is not.  Sometimes there is a thing that happens when you give up.  It’s as if the seas part (remember Moses?) and you realize what you have and you say why not and so many other things.  Perhaps it is surrender or something like that.  You just … [Read more...]

I have a particular fondness for decidious trees and plants.  For me they seem to replicate the whole life cycle, from birth to death to birth again.  In their barren winter state, you think it is over, but it really isn't.  Come spring, new life appears, often more vibrant than … [Read more...]

My husband loves cars, among other things.  I love plants, among other things.  This past Saturday, we made a happy trade.   My husband who happens to be the president of the San Diego Volvo Club was coordinating a road excursion through East County.  The words were not quite … [Read more...]

"A world without tomatoes is like a string quartet without violins." Laurie Colwin, Home Cooking   I can’t help it.  I love tomatoes.  When I see them taking shape in the garden I get very excited.  In fact, I yelp, eyeing the gems.    It used to be that other things caught my … [Read more...]

I have spent a lot of time wanting what wasn’t mine.  Wanting things that others have.  Wanting what seems to be better than what I possess. The error in such want is that so much slips by in my shortsighted view.   The friend I forget despite efforts to the contrary, the husband … [Read more...]

Serendipity. Look for something, find something else, and realize that what you’ve found is more suited to your needs than what you thought you were looking for. - Lawrence Block There are no accidents.  I look around me and I see a life that speaks not to chance, but to … [Read more...]

 "I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers."-- Claude Monet   I will never be a painter in the vein of Monet.  I played with painting at certain junctures in my life discovering an inner child who marveled at the self expression available when I took a paintbrush in my … [Read more...]

I try very hard to not work myself into a stressful state.  I sometimes fail.  I am someone who may look like she is even keeled and able to handle most things thrown her way – for the most part true – but the outcome of the unexpected can put me off balance.  It often happens … [Read more...]

   "An addiction to gardening is not all bad when you consider all the other choices in life."        I am a fan of nurseries.  So much so that you can count on the fact that I will visit one at least once in the week, no matter what time of year.  A better week involves more … [Read more...]