The Cottonwood’s downy seeds fell like snow.  Drifting and swirling upon the air, some suspended momentarily as they sought the perfect landing place.  Soon, they began to snag and accumulate.  It was magical, slightly alarming, and a complete contrast to the heat wave that was upon us. Contrast, in the…

Winter settled in comfortably, as it’s apt to do, lounging upon the couch of life, shoes on, leaving an empty pantry in its wake, and hogging the remote.  Winter is here to stay, and will undoubtedly leave its mark. Winter scorch, due to extreme cold, drying winds, and even salt…

Summer marched forth to the cadence of the cicada, stumbling ever so often, as her rhythm slowly became out of sync.  Her easy going nature seemed strained, and her once verdant beauty disheveled and unkempt.  A kind word and a bit of support would again renew her spirit and loveliness. …

  Winter settled in comfortably, as it’s apt to do, lounging upon the couch of life, shoes on, leaving an empty pantry in its wake, and hogging the remote.  Winter is here to stay, and will undoubtedly leave its mark. Winter scorch, due to extreme cold, drying winds, and even…

As the Autumnal winds whipped through the canopies, leaves became untethered and rained upon the ground.  The trees thrashed and raged in what seemed to be a battle of unseen, invisible forces. Now that temperatures are beginning to cool and nighttime temperatures beginning to plummet, frost poses a threat to…

Nascent Summer seems to have settled in nicely, replete and contented. Yet her once dewy, fresh face begins to grow sallow and somber under the impossible weight of hot, humid temperatures and lack of meaningful moisture. Her youth, vigor and novelty are starting to wear thin.  Hello July. As season’s…

  Halloween may be over, but a monster lurks and lingers in our midst. Our beloved prairies and woodlands are under attack. Highly invasive, non-native trees have decimated native perennials, grasses, groundcover and even trees. Sadly, the issue isn’t simply relegated to our national or state parks, but can be…

Dripping with the scent of honey-drenched blooms, the branches bowed under the bountiful weight, as if curtsying to an eager and appreciative crowd.  The same could not be said for the neighboring evergreens. Winter scorch, thanks to an extremely cold and snowy winter, has affected many evergreens, like Boxwood, Yew…

June paints the landscape in flowers and foliage while she orchestrates a symphony in bird and bug song.  The long-awaited masterpiece of Summer has finally come to fruition, and as we bask in the artful glow, a few spoilers have made themselves apparent. Garden pests.  Every garden has them.  Good…

  The wind heaved a long and persistent sigh that rattled the leaves into an eerie whirr.  The limbs slumped and shirked in the suppressive heat and humidity as a few leaves became untethered and drifted towards the ground.  August had been unkind, and her battle lines drawn.  Had we done enough? Had…

  We’ve slogged through June in hip waders amidst the persistent leaden, gray malaise.  The air largely unstable and ostensibly resentful, like a teenage girl scorned.  The few sunny days provided fleeting relief, but we were wary and suspicious, and we were right to be.   With Summer’s official arrival, and the…

  The weathered stone was cool and smooth, flocked here and there with moss, its jagged edges softened by the elements and constant patter of traffic.  Flanked on each side, the perennials began to crowd the path, decked in seasonal splendor and hue.  Their blooms perfumed the air and extended…