The tiger lily is native to china. In China, the roots are eaten like potatoes. The Columbia lily is native to Cascadia. Source. So, that makes an interesting confluence of cultures possible. […]
Tiger Lilies: a Bridge Between Worlds
An American Town in Canada
In Okanagan Falls, water is life, but doodads help. And a failed real estate development that hit a hundred feet of post-glacial sand and went back to Calgary, that’s fun. This is […]
Wild Parsley and Brittle Prickly Pear: an Enduring Relationship
A syilx friend has pointed out that every plant grows in relationship with another, and these relationships lead to antidotes and other companion uses. So, rock, brittle prickly pear, and desert parsley […]
A Lesson in Mat-Making and Basket Weaving
Out in the wetland… …the Thule reeds teach the way. One just has to watch them over time. If one slows down to a span of three or four years, one can […]
Self-Sown Gardens, Early Spring Gardens and Beautiful Lettuce
A garden can sow itself. Wasps will love you, and eat all kinds of pests in the process, and the birds, oh, my. The gold finches adore lettuce-gone-to-seed. And orach, too. Well, […]
Bees of the Earth, Flowers of the Air
The double-flowered plum my father planted to give away to friends has found a home here, while he has gone to sea forever. After two years, she has a visitor! I like […]
It’s Lambs Quarter Time!
Farming is tough. The weeds grow. Look at these lambs quarters take over the world! But, reallllly look at them. Mmmmmm. Instead of a field of trouble, it’s a crop, better than […]
Beauty and the Feast
The mountains have bloomed for Easter. Beautiful Arrow-leafed Balsam Root! Beats me why the whole city doesn’t shut down and take to the hills. And yet, for all that gorgeous display, the […]
The Language of Opening
In just the way the balsam roots open… … they find the openings made by deer, and I find them. Just as the siya? opens as clusters of flowers, long enough to […]
What Canadian Poets and Nature Can Achieve Together With a Little Help From Their Friends
I think we could ask some questions about separation. For instance, this willow, which seeded itself seven years ago, is doing fine high on the grassland… … although all other willows […]
Okanagan Okanogan 