quince at dusk

A funny thing happened on the way to writing this post. I was intending to write about gathering together resources to help ensure our body’s best spring into spring, and I will, in fact, be writing that soon. However, thinking I’d include a few spring blossoms in my post, I took my camera out into the garden, even though “it was late” and, lo, this post took a turn towards sharing, for now, the beauty found in day’s lingering light upon the spring blossoms that abound this end of March in Northern California. It is my gift and joy to share with you what I beheld last evening.

apple blossom at dusk

The apple tree was nearly ruthlessly pruned back by “tree guys” this winter. It is responding in kind with a renewed vigor. I can actually relate! “Let your ground lie fallow” is one of the 52 lessons sited in my book Plant Whatever Brings You Joy. To some extent I did pull back this winter, and I am reaping the benefits this spring with a vital surge of renewed energy, for which I am feeling deeply grateful. It is always good to fill back up before pushing on, wouldn’t you agree?

forsythia at dusk

This large forsythia harbors nostalgia for me. Growing up as a teen in Massachusetts I knew that when the forsythia on our property emerged I could look forward to much cherished warmer weather. While not as extreme in Northern California, the message is the same, and still welcomed.

apple blossoms at dusk

rose at dusk

One of the first roses of the season…

camellia at dusk

This property is blessed with an abundance of camellias, who are well into their magnificent display. This one is a favorite. You can readily see why!

Love and spring blessings, wherever you might be! May your gardens soon be full of flowers!
Kathryn xoxo

Book News: Lots to tell!
*Seattle’s publication New Spirit Journal ran a lovely review of my book Plant Whatever Brings You Joy and pronounced it, “insightful, practical and entertaining”! Why, thank you!
*On April 25th, Arbor Day, I will be a guest on “The Christine Upchurch Show” at 11:00AM (PDT) on KKNW-AM in Seattle, Cable Radio Network and WBLQ-AM in Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York. I will announce more details on my Facebook Fan Page. If you have not “liked” the fan page, you may by going here.
*Lastly, I am so glad to let you know I have the opportunity to meet some of you in person at Copperfield’s Books in San Rafael in Marin County on May 10th from 1:00-4:00PM. More info here. I do hope you can come!

Posted on March 24th, 2014 by Kathryn
Filed under: Plants | 6 Comments »

Dearest readers, well, a week or so ago I was lamenting that the annual wild violets that I’ve come to take for granted were offering me a hard lesson: they may not be taken for granted. Not at all. Particularly midst the worst drought California has experienced in a long time. And in my many decades living here I’d never experienced the likes of months without rain, with only a faint whisper of hope that it might change. I’m certain I was not alone in praying to the Rain Gods that Be, asking for a miracle of a wet winter, even though February had arrived. And then the deluge. Last week the miracle arrived and our creeks filled to overflowing. Is it the end of drought? Perhaps not. But nearly overnight the garden was transformed. The dry grasses turned green. The roses sprouted all manner of leaves. And the violets emerged in sheer hours. Where tiny stunted stems had prevailed, pink, white and purple flowers stretched themselves at the ends of tall straight stems and we all collectively breathed a sigh of deep relief and gratitude.

The flagstones were embraced with their loveliness.

Tiny white flowers embedded themselves into previously all lavender violets. Where do they come from? I have no answer.

Curbs are suddenly graced by the beauty of a single small plant, insistent on its place in the world as I know it.

Happily, after weeks of dry winter and somber questions I’m escorted into a fertile generous reality that enables me the simple expanded pleasure of gathering this tiny bouquet, reminding me of the blessing of clear, pure water.

(i do not know what it is about you that closes
and opens;only something in me understands
the voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses)
nobody, not even the rain, has such small hands

e.e.cummings

I hope you are feeling abundance wherever you are…

Love and garden blessings,
Kathryn xoxo

Posted on February 11th, 2014 by Kathryn
Filed under: Plants | 6 Comments »