• monarch!

    monarch butterfly with wings outstretched on a butterfly bush

    I’ve waited all summer and was thrilled to spot a monarch on my butterfly bush today. This summer, my friend the artist Ruth Marshall ran an amazing program with Patti Cooper on the premises of Morris Park Library. As part of their “We Are All Connected Program”, they raised Monarchs. This program offered “art and… Read more …

  • happy buzzing garden

    bee on a dwarf butterfly bush

    They love the garden this year, buzzing around so quickly I struggle to get their pics. We intentionally planted pollinator friendly plants. On Friday I had a visitor drop in and explore my work. Read more …

  • content cat

    Tuxedo cat sitting on a navy chair looking contemplative.

    We filled the bird feeder the other day. Dot was so happy she forgot to eat dinner. She sat there until it was dark. She then settled into her “summer chair” and chirrupped at me when I asked if she was content. I then asked if she was thankful we filled the feeder for her.… Read more …

  • garden gift

    Cucumber on vine which is larger than hand shown for scale. It measured 10-12 inches (26-30 cm) in length.

    While most of our garden has been consumed by the local fauna (the rabbit, chipmunk, and deer communities enjoy my free salad bar) we’ve had a few surprises this year. It’s always nice when the garden gives me a gift. I just wish they happened before I went to the store. This cucumber has been… Read more …

  • book reviews as compilation or single titles?

    A precarious stack of books, notebook with yarn on top and two projects to the left. On a wooden table in front of a blue wall.

    As I begin to dip my toes back into the world that has kept turning while mine went topsy turvy with grief and caregiving, I’m trying to figure out the balance between writing here and posting to various social media sites. My reading has been documented here since the site’s very beginnings. That was (gasp)… Read more …