Oh, Valentine’s Day. You look so innocent – all sweetness, hearts and flowers. It’s unfortunate that such a seemingly simple day of love, friendship and affection has grown into a Godzilla-sized emotional super-power day of extremes. It can bring joy… Continue Reading
The beauty of the garden in winter is a unique pleasure: fragrant, fresh evergreens, bright berries, frosty mornings. Photo: Frosty Indian hawthorne on a cold North State morning. Seasonal greens, winter fruits, and sculptural cones have long been associated with… Continue Reading
Q: My grandmother died recently and left me all sorts of beautiful clothes and furs. She was much heavier than I am and a couple of inches shorter. Would it be worth having some of my favorite pieces altered? First,… Continue Reading
It’s been a while since I’ve visited you, almost seven years. I hadn’t even written you. So I admit I was a bit wary and nervous when I flew into Redding Municipal Airport a few weeks ago. Would you remember… Continue Reading
Dog trainers talk about the importance of providing good leadership and structure for pet dogs. Unfortunately, the public is most familiar with terms such as “alpha” and “show him who is boss.” But we love dogs; we love their goofy… Continue Reading
Ahhh, despite heat and drought, these tough-as-nails beauties are in bloom again….enjoy revisiting this summer garden treat: oreganos. I’m a big believer in Beauty for its very own sake, but in a gardening life where choices must be made as… Continue Reading
My hens are laying up a storm now that storms have arrived in our part of the world. I welcome both! Shrove Tuesday is March 4th this year, so the Lenten Season is just a short month away. Every year… Continue Reading
Every year my hellebores lift their buds and open in the midst of January and February; the multitude of blooms continue to lift my spirits on through April. With their show just in its early stages, I thought I would… Continue Reading
With the season of pruning, planting and gifts in mind, it seems a perfect moment to repeat the In a North State Garden interview with Robert Fanno of Fanno Saw Works in Chico. If you are like me, you love… Continue Reading
With warm temperatures and little rain so far this winter, it will be interesting to see how the spring plants respond. In a “normal year” the first of the wild trilliums are up by late January….I will go looking for… Continue Reading
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