Gardens, Staycation Vacation, Travel

Day trips from northeast Ohio: botanical gardens, arboretums and garden centers

As spring days grow warmer and flowers burst into bloom, botanical gardens and arboretums inspire us with grand ideas for our own yards and garden beds. A half day walk through a garden followed by a visit to a great garden center is a dreamy day trip for anyone who aspires to be a great… Continue reading Day trips from northeast Ohio: botanical gardens, arboretums and garden centers

Gardens, House and Home

Real Gardeners Don’t Dig Cheap Dirt: Saving the Garden Center

Everybody wants a bargain. My gardening friends tell their gardening friends where they found the best price on vegetable and flower seeds. Social media gardeners discuss the cheapest place to buy everything from strawberry plants to decorative clay pots. Before the season of gardening frenzy goes into full swing, I’d like to wave a red… Continue reading Real Gardeners Don’t Dig Cheap Dirt: Saving the Garden Center

House and Home, Staycation Vacation

Life in the 1960s: When Families Had “Company”

Humans are not logical creatures. We commit to spending tens or hundreds of thousands to buy houses or condos, or to rent apartments. We spend thousands more to furnish them. We choose just the right paint colors. We choose just the right sofa, chairs, draperies, area rugs, lamps, bedding, and dinnerware patterns – both everyday… Continue reading Life in the 1960s: When Families Had “Company”

Family History, Gardens, House and Home

Memories of Wetzel County: West Virginia Potatoes

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash As a toddler I called them "West Virginia potatoes." They could be red potatoes or common white ones, but whatever the variety, I would wolf down boiled potatoes whenever we visited Wetzel County. At home in Ohio however, I was a picky child. I loved potatoes mashed or fried,… Continue reading Memories of Wetzel County: West Virginia Potatoes

Gardens, House and Home

Coexisting with Critters In the Garden

My friends would tell you that I have a beautiful garden. I also have deer, rabbits, raccoons, field mice, skunks, squirrels, chipmunks, fox, possum, coyotes, mink, feral cats, birds, moles, voles, turkey, and dogs that a thoughtless neighbor turns loose each night before retiring to his bed. I started a garden as soon as I… Continue reading Coexisting with Critters In the Garden