Here’s a cut on the Grey Canal Trail in Vernon, that was planted into blue bunch wheatgrass about 15 years ago. Bluebird boxes were installed on the fence (you can see one […]
Rome is Burning: An Election With Fire and No Water
The sun rises over Shuttleworth Creek, at the heart of the Okanagan. Still a world of smoke. It’s like those ponderosa pines on the edge of Okanagan Falls are lined up and […]
The Dance of Eye and Mind
Humans are visually oriented, and have a love of the bright colours, blue, yellow, gold, blonde and white that catch the eye at a distance. It is easier to notice the pollen […]
At War With the Earth: Fighting Fire in the Okanagan
In the 1840’s, talk in the Pacific Northwest was of controlling the threat to settled life from Indigenous people. “Indians” they were called back then. In January 1848, armed volunteers went out […]
For Bees’ Sakes, Let’s Grow Up
When the world of summer flowers is blasted by neglect, bees have it hard. There really is nothing, for mile on mile on mile. Even planting a calendula helps. It’s up to […]
Fighting Fire With Weeds
Well, this is a first. Oregano that has decided to go feral. Interestingly enough, it doesn’t look as burnable, in the short term, as this bunchgrass… … and about the same as […]
The Wisdom of Rabbitbrush
Rabbitbrush defines this country in the fall. It catches the sun and shines. Well, not this year, but it still has its magic. There’s nothing quite like this showy aster that pulls […]
Sunflower Climbs the Smoke to the Sky
As you can see, as the forests burn up in all directions the new normal around here is for a sky other than blue. My sunflowers can find the Earth still, though. […]
Let Me Show You Some Water
Here’s some. Like it? Here’s some more: Thirsty for more? Sure: Well, light showers, sure. Here’s a right downpour: Or maybe a hail storm? Or a spring flood? Enough of this talk […]
Fire on the Caldera Wall
Yes, it was a volcano 35,000,000 years ago. The fire is on its rim. This is close to home. My hopes are for a safe resolution of this terrible situation. One day […]

