It’s dreary outside. More than dreary, it’s a scene of disarray and clutter. That’s what my garden looks like during bad winter freezes. I choose to have several plants in pots scattered throughout that add color and interest, and I’ve planted several non-natives and not-so-cold tolerant plants that must be covered to survive this kind of weather, and it’s not pretty. Last Spring I converted an old three-tiered fountain into a succulent planter. Considering the record heat w

Going through my collection of garden paraphernalia I found a pair of matching candle lanterns a friend gave me awhile back. As I wiped off a thick layer of accumulated dust, I saw a crack in the pale yellow glass of one lantern. My first thought was: Too bad, I don’t want a cracked lantern in my garden. Maybe I should give it away and just keep the “good” one. But then I heard the whisper...Aren’t you a little cracked? I haven’t thrown you away. I flash-backed to what now

The small town I grew up in was about 10 years behind the times. In my high school in the early 70’s, girls were not allowed to wear jeans, only pant suits. Pant suits! The rage was "groovy" bell-bottom jeans—it seemed so unfair! We protested mildly and staged a “walk-out”. Eventually we were allowed to wear jeans, because the times they were a’changin. Personal freedom, such as what to wear, is one thing, but how about defying patriotic tradition? Fortunately, in our country