When I pruned these trees, the wind was kaboodling down the Similkameen Valley like a grizzly bear made of dry ice. Sawdust was falling in my face from my saw. My feet […]
The Year of the Kazillion Cherries Has Begun
Beauty and the Bees
I spent the day yesterday at Tree to Me, an organic orchard in the Similkameen Valley. The apples were in bloom. Before grafting some apple trees and maintaining the grafts I put […]
Every Nectarine Begins in Hope and Beauty
Farmers, a practical lot, are known to choose to plant nectarines because they have prettier petals than peaches, like the red haven below. I think the nectarines are choosing us.
It is the Most Beautiful Day
My seven year-old Transparent apple tree and her sister branch of Benvoulin apples are blooming gloriously today. We have all been getting ready for this for a year now, and are very […]
Why Are We Growing Apples Industrially Anyway?
So, need a scary hint of sweetness in your life without bankrupting yourself with a trip to Voodoo Donuts in Portland or their satellite shop in Los Angeles? Want to live dangerously […]
Northern Pocket Gopher Makes the World
At the time of year when the first flowers sport stinkbugs … … and the aspens put out their first leaves, untouched yet by leaf-ming worms… … and cedar bugs frisk about […]
Going Willow: Accepting the Challenge of a Neonicotinoid Ban
What great news. The EU has voted to ban the outdoor use of neonicotinoid (nicotine derivatives) pesticides, due to their accumulative environmental harm on bee populations. Here are some, domestic and wild, […]
It’s Slowwwwww Salad Time!
I asked the garden what was for dinner 2 nights ago. She was very kind. Some of these I planted a year ago, they went to seed, and came through the snow […]
Joy in the Week of Bees and Wind
When the wind is a bee. Filbert catkins, waiting for the wind. When a bee is the wind. Well, a wasp, but what a tiny beauty with her fur stole! […]
Crow Going Out for Dinner in Beautiful Downtown Spences Bridge
Yes, the grove of trees is open for whatever staggers in off the road. The sign says so, and we’re supposed to read the signs, right? Caw, caw, caw. As you can […]
Okanagan Okanogan 