I first hit the ski slopes when I was five years old. Well, sort of. It was common back then to spend a year or two on the Bunny Slopes. More like hanging onto the rope for dear life in order to
Today is a gloriously sunny day in Kodiak, Alaska. We endure snappy winters for days like this. And as much as I don’t like to…
It was in the mid-1980s when I ordered seeds for the first time. What a mess! I was totally overwhelmed by all the confusing terms and…
Before I go any further… Hot Wheels is a paraplegic rabbit. And for eight days, he was left in our care while…
Last Tuesday, Cindy and Bob (not their real names) participated in an event they call ‘Tackle Tuesday’ where they select a room and clean it from top to bottom. They both love to hike…
Did you know that pound for pound, the leaves of most trees contain twice as many minerals as manure? Another icon of autumn is time, as in the passage of time. We become keenly aware of…
Finding a perfect zucchini was a pleasant surprise, what with our wacky-weather summer. As I leaned in closer, feeling a little proud. That’s when I saw it, the gray color, not normal for
When we turn the calendar page from August to September, it’s easy to fall into thinking that gardening is all but over. Nothing could be further from the truth. In the fall, harvesting is part of
Given a choice between celebrating the Winter Solstice or the New Year, the solstice would win, hands down. More significant to me is the return of light. And if you’re like most people, dispelling darkness in the middle of winter is a real thing. I think back to a conversation with my dear friend, Jill
Today I’m celebrating! First, I’m feeling much better after my bout with COVID (thank you for asking). So good in fact,
What’s a summer garden without hiccups? Weeds double in height when your back is turned and since the baby crows have fledged, their parents dive-bomb
During these times of climate change and COVID, it’s easy to take life too seriously. Any excuse to laugh feels like mountain-fresh air. Take last week when I’d lost all sense of taste and
“It’s been said that gardens and children need the same things — patience, love, and someone who will never give up on them.” [Nicolette Sowder] As a child, I spent many happy hours outdoors. I climbed trees, built stick forts in the woods behind our house, and harvested “wild” clay
I was walking home along a gravel road, houses on the left side, and a steep embankment on the right. Heavy with rain, the salmonberry bushes and young mountain ash trees arched over the roadbed like miniature lampposts
Q: How to get rid of chickweed? A: Don’t try to beat it, EAT IT! On most Tuesdays, I teach an online class called the Compost Academy. Students, mostly women, from Alabama to Australia, meet in lively Zoom meetings. It’s not just about composting either, especially on Fridays, which have become “let’s stump Marion” Q&A
If you compost, you might find this question interesting. If you don’t compost, I’ll be upfront: You and your garden are missing out. Big time. Anyway, here’s the
Last week’s span of warm, clear days found island gardeners scrambling outside, perched on bended knee pulling weeds, transplanting seedlings, and slaying slugs. It was a flurry of activity that reminded me of a children’s story