The problem with New Year’s resolutions is that they are usually too big to be manageable for more than a few weeks. Change—whether it is weight loss, curbing bad habits or de-cluttering your home environment—is best done in easily attainable increments that take human nature and time constraints into account. I like to think about … Read more
The island of Madagascar, off the coast of Africa, is home to all kinds of interesting plants and animals. My favorites among the fauna are lemurs, primates that have adapted successfully to even the harshest environments. There is something especially endearing about the ring-tailed lemurs, which hold their long tails optimistically aloft while roaming through … Read more
Merchandisers are under a lot of pressure every year to introduce new and/or different plants for the holidays. Troll the aisles of nurseries and garden centers right now and you will see new and different poinsettias, bodacious kalanchoes and even hellebores for indoor display. Novelty piques interest. I am a jaded horticulture consumer, so piquing … Read more
I am not a stamp collector and being a slave to the electronic communications that dominate all of our lives, I rarely send “snail mail” any more. When I do, I like to use stamps that make a statement, especially a botanical statement. This season I love the Winter Berries Forever stamps issued by the … Read more
If I had more spare time, I would be a consummate DIYer. I would master skills ranging from house painting to brick laying and everything in between. I would have thousands of dollars of extra disposable income because I would save large amounts of money by fixing my own toilet and cooking up my own … Read more
