At this time of the year I am reminded of the old Protestant hymn, “Bringing in the Sheaves.” It celebrates the celestial and actual harvest with a refrain that goes: “Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves, We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves;…” The “sheaves” I will bring in later today are … Read more
The wind is roaring around the desiccated shrubbery in my front yard, while several robins, their feathers fully puffed, scout the few areas of bare ground for whatever they can find. I am sure they are regretting the irresistible impulse that compelled them to come north so far in advance of spring. I am regretting … Read more
I am a plant lover with a dirty little secret—my houseplants are dying of neglect. At the moment my foyer and dining room look like a horticultural ICU, with patients that include a collection of geraniums, cacti, African violets, orchids and amaryllis. Most spent last summer outside, happy and healthy. The majority of the geraniums … Read more
My back porch, which overlooks the garden, is awash in color right now. My daughter’s collection of pelargoniums, portulaca, purslane and assorted other summer bloomers are in their glory. Looking at them is a treat, even though I know that it will be something less than a treat to get all those geraniums in the … Read more
I am a grandmother, which is hardly unusual. Like all grandparents, I like to brag that my grandchildren are unique. But that word is actually an understatement–all my grandchildren are geraniums. They belong to my daughter, who buys them, installs them in elegant pots and fusses over them like any other doting parent. She is … Read more
