Little Visitors
This morning, about to upend a pot of dead marigolds (it's a long, sad story) into the compost bin, I spied, spied I (okay, sometimes I just can't help playing with words like that) the merest flash of movement. I've been hoping for earthworms--it's a composting...
The Sacred Ordinary
The sky is blue-gold, the trees a rich green--and everything, backlit with July sunshine, seems to have a halo. Few things are lovelier than a horse standing in a pasture, rimmed in light. Or a hummingbird, almost beak to nose with a Yorkie. :)I am afraid I overlook...
The Great Escape
Last night, after dinner, I was writing away in my downstairs office--the door was open to the yard, so the dogs and cats could go in and out. I had been busy for a while when I got one of those twinges all moms know so well--it was way too quiet.I went outside to...
Houston, We Have Tomatoes!
There they were, this morning, nestled right up against the thick stalk of my potted tomato plant, red and lovely--and delicious! (Yes, I ate them. I couldn't resist!) The plant itself is huge and lush--the fruits are fairly small, though. I'm wondering if this is...
Weather and Zinnias
I have been known to complain about storms (insert smile here), but the rain we're getting now is truly a blessing. It's a fire-on-the-hearth, soup-bubbling-on-the-stove kind of day, cozy and cool. I have transplanted some of my zinnias into the flowerbed, and they...
The White Rabbit and Me
"I'm late, I'm late, I'm late, for a very important date!" That is the refrain that runs through my head almost constantly, these days--I write and write. I LOVE this book. And yet I wonder sometimes if I will EVER finish it. It is my most challenging book so far, I...
Such is my fixation
I have begun to order plants--and planters--for next year. This gardening bug seems to be here to stay.The plants are roses--three of the lovely, deep red Veterans Honor rose, a great favorite of my dad's. My stepmother sent me one of these roses last fall, but alas,...
Seeds and Sprouts
I actually have a yellow crookneck squash almost ready to harvest, and my Swiss chard is growing before my very eyes. There will soon be tomatoes aplenty, along with zuchinni and eggplant and green peppers. I have a regular herb garden growing right on the deck--it's...
One Lazy Blogger
Today, I'm a lazy blogger.Or maybe that's a tired blogger. Or both. In any case, I slept in, I'm still in my p.j.'s, and I'm writing on my laptop. That's probably more information than you wanted or needed, right there.I've been working all weekend, and at very odd...
Blog Challenged
Maybe it's the glorious weather. Maybe it's "Tate" and the rest of the Texas McKettricks. Maybe it's that I'm not you-know-whatting anymore. Yesterday I missed the blog entirely, and today I'm late, so there you have it. Blog-challenged. Not exactly breaking news, but...
The Bridegroom
Yesterday I received copies of my August book, "The Bridegroom", and once again, I was blown away by the great cover. (Harlequin's art department, and the fabulous Margie Miller, are the very best.) Margie was also responsible for the Creed covers, which I adore.The...
Zinnia Alert
One of my zinnias is about to bloom! I am SO excited. All you veteran gardeners out there are probably rolling your eyes, but, hey, it's all new to me. The plants are tall now, but I remember poking seeds into the little peat pots in one of those indoor greenhouse...