Questions to Ponder The first question I ask a new garden client is “What do you want your garden to look like?” This question is followed by “What is the purpose of your garden?” Usually, the answers to these two questions guide the development of, or changes to, a new or existing garden. This month […]
Verdant View – August 2026 Read More »
Actionable advice for a positive environmental effect. Observant Gardening Now that the rains have started and our garden watering chores are lessening, perhaps we can all relax a bit by spending more time watching, listening to and enjoying our gardens. Let’s start at the ground level with the soil. Soil has been around for hundreds
Verdant View – July 2026 Read More »
The Summer Solstice Reminder: Our next Summer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere will be on Sunday, June 21, 2026. The Summer Solstice marks the official start of astronomical summer and the longest day of the year. From this point on, the days start getting shorter. Why not celebrate the Summer Solstice in your gardens? Plant
Verdant View – June 2026 Read More »
Small Steps, Big Impact: Actionable advice for a positive environmental effect. My carbon-lean lifestyle fits me well and makes me feel good. Several studies have shown that most actions that lower our environmental impact make us more happy, not less. Having the feeling that we’re contributing to something bigger and more important than ourselves can
Verdant View – May 2026 Read More »
Resurrection When I think of the word resurrection, I think of the revitalization or revival of something, and the word spring comes to mind. Spring is a perfect metaphor for resurrection. The natural world abounds with life. Flowers reappear, trees dress themselves in new foliage, and butterflies are pollinating. The sun is making an earlier
Verdant View – April 2026 Read More »
The first day of spring 2026 (Spring Equinox) is on Friday March 20, 2026, at 10:46 a.m. EDT. Traditionally the concepts of balance and 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 equal amounts of day and
Verdant View – March 2026 Read More »
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 some with you. “We’re in a very dark tunnel right
Verdant View – February 2026 Read More »
Observing Change When I was young, some 40 years ago, I had a great “ride.” Lucha La Carrucha was a candy apple red, 1964 Dodge Dart convertible with light interior. I bought her on a whim, having spent the previous five years of my life riding a bicycle through Los Angeles, CA. Lucha and I
Verdant View – January 2026 Read More »
What does living sustainably mean to you? Living sustainably is a lifestyle that minimizes environmental impact by reducing the use of natural resources and waste, while also supporting social equity. It involves making conscious choices about consumption, such as energy use, transportation, food, and products, to ensure that resources are available for future generations. Examples
Verdant View – December 2025 Read More »
Handmade I recently realized that my Mexican driver´s license had expired. Luckily Chapala now has a driver’s license office near Cristiania Park, so I was processed at that facility. Once your paperwork is done and your photo taken you are asked to wait outside in an adjacent patio for your license. The adjacent patio has
Verdant View – November 2025 Read More »
