My yoga teacher says that beginnings are potent. It was a cold sunny February day four years ago when my son helped me set the paver, (pictured on the left) into a little terrace in our under-construction garden. I hadn't seen a single bee in the new garden yet, and as we struggled to get the heavy paver laid square and straight, a couple of fat, furry bumblebees, still logy from winter chill, suddenly appeared and buzzed lazily around. One joined us, landing nearly atop the mosaic bee. The paver was designed and crafted by Clare Dohna of Vashon Island, whose artistry was potent enough to conjure up bees on a chilly February morning. Clare's mosaics have held a special place in my heart and garden ever since. Thanks, too, to photographer Jacqueline Koch for the images of my garden you'll find in the banner above and throughout the blog.
I hope such synergy of collaboration lends energy to this brand new blog - welcome to the first-ever posting. Simplified gardening is the focus, in tune with my new book, due out in fall '09. I'll also answer reader's questions, keep up to date on cool new plants and horticultural goings-on, review books, let you know where I'm speaking, and write regularly about what's happening in my little garden on Whidbey Island.
I come across so many garden adventures and characters, fresh ideas, plants and materials when working on my column and stories for the Seattle Times - I'll fill you in on the backstories that never see newsprint. I promise you plenty of photos, links and quotes from others, with a minimum of words and musings.
Here I am with Bridget, my constant companion and writing "familiar", at my desk on Queen Anne, where she presides. I just wrote this post....and tomorrow I'll blog (this is a new verb for me!) about December storm damage (What lived? What died?) that we need to deal with before moving on to oh-so- welcome springtime....stay tuned....
