September Is “Bulbing” Out All Over There is a pot right outside of my bedroom door leading to the terraza that blooms every year in December. The flower is a hypnotizing red and its long dark green leaves grow most of the year, awaiting the arrival of their flower. I did not plant the amaryllis. […]
Verdant View – September 2025 Read More »
It’s In The Details Lake Chapala has always drawn me to her shores. As a child growing up in Guadalajara, I’d visit my “wealthy” cousins at their weekend home in San Juan Cosala on holidays and weekends. I didn’t really know what to expect when my favorite cousin Lalo first invited me to spend the
Verdant View – August 2025 Read More »
The Power Of Trees [Editor’s note: We didn’t have enough space in our June issue, but here it is now.] The wonder of nature is vast. Forest and trees regrow after a fire and trees clean our air. In 2017 Nature Conservancy scientists led a seminal study that found protecting and restoring forest, wetland and
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Water, Or Lack Of In 2024 I was invited to hear Dr. Eduardo Juarez Carrillo, Director of the Institute for Limnologia y Sustentabilidad, of the University of Guadalajara, speak at a gathering hosted by the Friends of Centro Pro-Mexico in San Juan Cosala. The title of the presentation was “Water Crisis of Lake Chapala.” Problem:
Verdant View – June 2025 Read More »
Aperire The etymology behind the word April comes from the Latin word Aprilis, which is derived from aperire. The Romans named the month Aprilis because it “opened” the buds of flowers and leaves. April is the fourth month of the year and is significant for marking the start of spring, renewal, and growth. As a child
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Balance, Harmony, Renewal This year the Spring Equinox (or Vernal Equinox) falls on Thursday, March 20, 2025, and arrives at 3:01 a.m. CST. Traditionally the concepts of renewal, balance, new beginnings are thought of at this time of year. We are moving into the warmth of the light and nature wakes up after winter, allowing
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A Love Affair With Nature As the new year begins, we suddenly find ourselves in February. Traditionally a time to express love, appreciation and to celebrate connections that bring us joy, this year powerful expressions were shared with me, and I would like to share them with you. From my niece Vicki in Sacramento, CA: When
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Hope Springs Eternal Normally I am excited at the prospect of a new year: new calendars, new plans, a new verdant view. For gardeners, we also have a rebirth of our gardens to look forward to. This year seems different. My friends are complaining that they are having to learn new things daily. Their resources
Verdant View – January 2025 Read More »
Event Review by Francisco (Fco.) Nava The Fourth Paella Festival of Lake Chapala promised to be a very special and unique event…and it was! On Saturday October 19th, 2024, at 12 noon at the Centro de la Cultural y Arte de la Ribera de Chapala (CCAR) in La Floresta 200 guests, 7 paella teams, a
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Gratitude My mother Rebecca and I made a pact to follow each other’s instructions upon our passing from this world. The conversation took place in Glendale, CA at one of her favorite Mexican restaurants. My brother George and I had taken her out to dine for one of our ritualistic Monday night dinners. She sat
Verdant View – November 2024 Read More »
