~ A somewhat autobiographical look at how plants have impacted my life ~
We’re Having a Heatwave
The weather in San Diego experienced extreme heat and humidity from July through September, culminating in a record-breaking six-day heatwave in early October. Though a tropical storm brought much-needed rain, many plants suffered distress, showing signs like wilting and yellowing leaves. The heat caused chlorophyll breakdown, revealing other pigments and stressing roots, impacting nutrient transport. Various plants, including agaves and hibbertias, sustained damage, with some dying due to excessive sun exposure. Conversely, tropical plants in shaded areas thrived. As autumn approached, signs of seasonal change and the beneficial rain provided hope for recovery.
The Apartment
The first order of business after my arrival in the San Jose area was to find a place to live. The landscaping and view at a complex in Sunnyvale impressed me so I rented a 600 square foot 2nd floor
Do You Know the Way to San Jose?
In August of 1979, I loaded up my lime green Ford Galaxy 500 with my few worldly possessions and potted jade plant and set out from Austin Texas for San Jose California. My mother joined me on the drive. We
The Rear View Mirror
In the summer of 1979, a graduate from the University of Texas faced disillusionment while job hunting, mostly in Houston’s industrial sector. Unexpectedly, an interview opportunity in San Jose led to a transformative visit to California, where he fell in
Tomatoes and Marigolds
The last 2 years I lived in Austin were in a mobile home in the south part of town. I still have occasional nightmares about returning home only to find that trailer had been towed away. Trailer park living did,
Town Lake, Austin
Austin is situated on the Colorado River in Texas – not to be confused with the Colorado River that provides much of Southern California’s water. Dams along the river create a string of man-made lakes in the Austin area: Town
Ostentatious Austin
After graduating high school, I enrolled in the Mechanical Engineering program at the University of Texas in Austin, enjoying the sunnier climate compared to Houston. The university, rich from oil money, underwent significant development, showcasing diverse architecture and landscaping, including
My First Landscape
At the end of college, the author’s parents moved to a wooded area north of Houston, building a two-story house surrounded by large trees. They landscaped the property creatively, using various plants and structures, despite initial criticism from neighbors. Over
Going Back to Houston
After 3 years living in Missouri, my father accepted a new job in Houston and we moved to Texas in February of 1970. We had last lived in Houston in 1959. We moved into a neighborhood of newish tract homes.
Kansas City, Here we come!
The author reflects on their time in Kansas City, Missouri, describing its four distinct seasons and vibrant landscape. The excitement of moving to Gladstone is detailed, highlighting family traditions, local nature, and a sense of community. Visits to Branson and
Return to Kansas — Dorothy hated it!
On a white-hot day in July of 1965, our family returned to Wichita. The thermometer at a roadside bank sign said it was 105. Florida had been warm and humid, but never this hot. My father was transferred back to
Florida’s First Commercial Tourist Theme Park
In previous posts I’ve reminisced about our 1960’s home landscape in Plantation, Florida. Besides the plethora of plants and natural landscapes in Florida, there were massive developments created out of the former swamps. The swamps just to the east of
River of Grass
The biggest publicly accessible landscape in Florida is also the largest subtropical wilderness in the US: Everglades National Park. At 2400 square miles it still only protects about 1/5 of the original Everglades. The Everglades are a natural freshwater drainage