Posts Tagged: gardening

Forgotten Fall Rituals – Burning Leaves and Fear of Fallout

Jumping in the pile of crunchy, dead leaves, hurling them into the air like confetti, was a fall ritual for mid-century kids. So was burning leaves. That earthy smell of burning autumn leaves is forever seared in my mind, transporting

Forgotten Fall Rituals – Burning Leaves and Fear of Fallout

Jumping in the pile of crunchy, dead leaves, hurling them into the air like confetti, was a fall ritual for mid-century kids. So was burning leaves. That earthy smell of burning autumn leaves is forever seared in my mind, transporting

Forgotten Fall Rituals – Burning Leaves and Fear of Fallout

Jumping in the pile of crunchy, dead leaves, hurling them into the air like confetti, was a fall ritual for mid-century kids. So was burning leaves. That earthy smell of burning autumn leaves is forever seared in my mind, transporting

Forgotten Fall Rituals – Burning Leaves and Fear of Fallout

Jumping in the pile of crunchy, dead leaves, hurling them into the air like confetti, was a fall ritual for mid-century kids. So was burning leaves. That earthy smell of burning autumn leaves is forever seared in my mind, transporting

My Mother’s Love Grew in My Garden

With Mother’s Day coming up, a new poignancy is added to the loss and destruction of my former gardens. The image of the rose-covered arbor that came up in the Facebook memories brings with it a deep association with my

My Mother’s Love Grew in My Garden

With Mother’s Day coming up, a new poignancy is added to the loss and destruction of my former gardens. The image of the rose-covered arbor that came up in the Facebook memories brings with it a deep association with my

Garden Grief

At this time of year, my former beautiful garden in my former home appears as random pop-up memories on Facebook as it did yesterday. It startles, a poignant but at times painful reminder of the beauty I created, nurtured, and

Garden Grief

At this time of year, my former beautiful garden in my former home appears as random pop-up memories on Facebook as it did yesterday. It startles, a poignant but at times painful reminder of the beauty I created, nurtured, and

Dandelions The Underdog of the Plant World

In the plant world, the lowly dandelion feels like “the other,” an unwanted migrant who must be banished from sight. At their first appearance each spring, their biodiversity is shunned by many, quickly exiled from sprawling lawns so as not

Dandelions The Underdog of the Plant World

In the plant world, the lowly dandelion feels like “the other,” an unwanted migrant who must be banished from sight. At their first appearance each spring, their biodiversity is shunned by many, quickly exiled from sprawling lawns so as not

My Own Grey Gardens

Late last Monday, my American Dream was auctioned off. On the cold granite steps in front of town hall, my house of twenty-one years was sold in a foreclosure sale. As the late afternoon sun cast a golden haze on

My Own Grey Gardens

Late last Monday, my American Dream was auctioned off. On the cold granite steps in front of town hall, my house of twenty-one years was sold in a foreclosure sale. As the late afternoon sun cast a golden haze on

Vintage Illustration woman and man and Lawn Mower

Male Turf

The silent spring morning of my mid-century suburban childhood were broken by the sounds not of birds chirping but of a symphony of puttering gas lawn mowers synchronized all over the neighborhood. The air would permeate of fresh-cut grass, gasoline

Vintage Illustration woman and man and Lawn Mower

Male Turf

The silent spring morning of my mid-century suburban childhood were broken by the sounds not of birds chirping but of a symphony of puttering gas lawn mowers synchronized all over the neighborhood. The air would permeate of fresh-cut grass, gasoline

vintage illustration 1950s family gardening

Fractured Fairy Tales for Earth Day

Post War Pesticides on Parade Mid century America was the golden age of pesticides and it was love at first sight. Any thoughts about Earth Day and the environment lay far in the future. Thousands of new chemicals were put

vintage illustration 1950s family gardening

Fractured Fairy Tales for Earth Day

Post War Pesticides on Parade Mid century America was the golden age of pesticides and it was love at first sight. Any thoughts about Earth Day and the environment lay far in the future. Thousands of new chemicals were put

vintage illustration Victory garden

Victory Gardens in WWII

  In urban areas across the country vacant lots are filled with sights of neighbors pulling weeds, planting seeds and tending heirloom tomatoes. Overnight city rooftops have sprouted lush gardens. “Tarbeachs” once reserved for city sunning, now produces organic vegetables

vintage illustration Victory garden

Victory Gardens in WWII

  In urban areas across the country vacant lots are filled with sights of neighbors pulling weeds, planting seeds and tending heirloom tomatoes. Overnight city rooftops have sprouted lush gardens. “Tarbeachs” once reserved for city sunning, now produces organic vegetables

man smoking cigarettes gardening

Post War Pesticides on Parade

Breathe Easier Mid Century America was the golden age of pesticides and it was love at first sight. Any thoughts about Earth Day and the environment lay far in the future. Thousands of new chemicals were put to use in

man smoking cigarettes gardening

Post War Pesticides on Parade

Breathe Easier Mid Century America was the golden age of pesticides and it was love at first sight. Any thoughts about Earth Day and the environment lay far in the future. Thousands of new chemicals were put to use in