Monthly Archives: May 2017

Where Joker’s Hats Come From

Posted on May 30, 2017 by

Is there any doubt that whoever designed the first joker’s hat grew peonies? Someone, centuries ago, saw a peony seed pod and said, “I want to wear that on my head!” This time of year, beauty is on full display, … Continue reading →

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Love at First Sight

Posted on May 28, 2017 by

On a cool, Sunday morning, it’s refreshing to see the pink rhododendron in bloom. The dogs are off in the woods trying to find something to chase. I’ve come to the conclusion that dogs, at least our dogs, do not … Continue reading →

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Summer in May

Posted on May 24, 2017 by

Summer arrived yesterday, a day of warmth and sunshine that a month ago seemed a hopeless, fanciful dream, something never to be. But here it was. From the first light, a sky without a cloud. Lilacs in bloom. The sweet … Continue reading →

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Worth a Thousand Web Pages

Posted on May 22, 2017 by

“A picture is worth a thousand words,” I heard that a lot growing up. Pictures in books were few. Now we are surrounded in a world of pictures, and we need a new saying: “Being there is worth a thousand … Continue reading →

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Be Here Is Better

Posted on May 20, 2017 by

The chickens have taken to the garden bench this year. It’s the place to be, especially on warm afternoons. I wonder if they’d let me sit with them and listen in on their gossip. Every day something new is blooming. … Continue reading →

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No Overtime for Ruby

Posted on May 17, 2017 by

We humans invent the oddest things. Overtime. It’s a big issue in Japan as next year’s college graduates look for their dream job and companies are frantically recruiting them. It’s no secret that many Japanese workers whittle away the evenings … Continue reading →

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Promise of Things to Come

Posted on May 11, 2017 by

The thimble berries are in bloom. Their delicate white petals promise of red berries to come. Among the eggs, small pullet eggs have started to appear. There is something charming about a hen’s first few eggs, like a child’s first … Continue reading →

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The Yin Yang of It All

Posted on May 7, 2017 by

There are two main seasons in the Skagit Valley, November to early April when the swans are here, and April through October when the swans are not here. Those are the big seasons. Life yins and yangs with the appearance, … Continue reading →

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The Sun Is All It Takes

Posted on May 4, 2017 by

A blue sky and brilliant sun is all that was needed to bring on the bees. I won’t have to worry about the apples not getting pollinated. The warm sun also made the arugula shoot up fast. Arugula is another … Continue reading →

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Magenta awakes

Posted on May 2, 2017 by

While weeding and planting in the garden this weekend, I was assured to see magenta spreen sprouts. It has an impressive name, Chenopodium giganteum, and giganteum these tiny sprouts are, though they have the tiniest of seeds, smaller than cabbage … Continue reading →

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