~ 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.
Carolina Color Fall Foliage
This past October, Scott and I headed to the Carolinas’ Blue Ridge Mountains to see the fabulous fall foliage on a bicycling tour hosted by Backroads. To be able to enjoy the long rides and big hills we opted to
Sea Ranch
This past August (2022) we had the opportunity to borrow a home belonging to a business associate of Scott’s located at the Sea Ranch in Sonoma County. We figured it would be a great time to visit there since San
Portuguese Wildflowers
In mid-April, 20222, Scott and I traveled to Portugal for a bike tour. Getting older, we opted for e-bikes which makes several days of bike riding much easier as well as making hill climbs feel like level ground. The tour
Makin’ More Mosaics
Back in 2018 I wrote a blog about making mosaic pavements and walkways in our garden. Since then I’ve continued making more mosaics and here’s an update. We enjoyed hosting the 86 members of the San Diego Horticultural Society in
Yahoo, Oahu
Oahu In mid-December 2021, we took a brief trip to Oahu, aiming to avoid potential travel restrictions as the Omicron COVID variant began to spread more widely. Initially, we intended to visit Costa Rica, but complications with canceled flights and
California Dates
In a previous article in 2018, Road to Marrakech, I told the story of how dates are grown in Morocco. In October 2021, we visited a more local source of dates on the Colorado River and learned our dates are
California Adventure Part 5
California Adventure Part Five – I can hear you say, “What happened to parts one through four?” Well, I’ll tell you what happened … In 2020, I turned 65 and it also was my 40th year living in California. So,
UC Santa Cruz Arboretum
In April, 2021l I was fortunate to do a long-awaited return visit to the UC Santa Cruz arboretum. I had previously visited in 2012 in route to a San Diego Horticultural Society tour of San Francisco Bay Gardens. It has
Home Alone 2020
In 2020, the author navigated the challenges of the pandemic, celebrating their 65th birthday and receiving the Pfizer vaccine. They documented their travels and home projects throughout the year, from hiking in local parks to garden improvements. The year ended
Chocolate Cake and a Vase of Yarrow
I’ve reached the age of 65. I had initially planned to visit Kings Canyon National Park in the Sierras and sit on the rock where the iconic photo of John Muir was taken and where the Sierra Club was established.
Lady Elizabeth Rocket Launches
On February 1, 2020, I flew with Scott Borden, Mark Spedding and Doug Botos to the Friends of Amateur Rocketry (FAR) test site in the Mohave desert to view the launch of the Lady Elizabeth Rocket. The rocket is the culmination of
Before the Shutdown, January 2020
Just a year ago on this date life looked very different. This was to be the year to do my take on the California motto: “Eureka, I have found it”. I turned 65 in the middle of 2020 and also