Perpetual Learning
You know that feeling? You just installed a bunch of smart bulbs – maybe Philips Hue or something similar – and they work great with your phone or voice assistant. But then, someone in the house flips the actual, old-fashioned light switch off. Poof! Your smart bulb is now offline and useless until the switch … Read more
It was a crisp morning on August 6th, 2025, and I stepped out into my garden, coffee in hand, ready for my usual dose of nature. My golden retriever, Buster, trotted alongside me, tail wagging. Suddenly, he stopped, head tilted, and then nudged something towards me with his nose. A gift! Except, this gift was… … Read more
Well, fellow gardeners, it’s been one of those weeks. Today is August 6th, 2025, and I discovered my prized pepper plant looking like it had a wrestling match with a very hungry, very thorough critter. And guess what? The critter won. It was bad. Like, really bad. Leaves were gone, stems were stripped bare, and … Read more
You know, I love having music playing while I’m out in the garden or puttering around the house. Usually, it’s whatever’s on the radio or a playlist from a streaming service. But lately, I’ve been thinking about ways to make things a bit more personal, and maybe even a little less reliant on constant internet … Read more
This year, my chili pepper plants were doing exceptionally well. I had a fantastic variety going, from mild bells to some serious heat. My plan was simple: enjoy them fresh, and then preserve the rest for the colder months. Little did I know, I had a tiny, furry thief with a penchant for spice plotting … Read more
Well, this morning started with a bit of a surprise from my furry friend. My dog, ever the enthusiastic hunter (or perhaps just a curious sniffer), trotted up proudly with a rather sorry-looking ear of sweetcorn. Now, I pride myself on knowing my garden, but this particular specimen looked… off. It had a strange discoloration, … Read more
It’s August 5th, 2025, and as I walk through my garden, I’m always struck by the understated elegance of the okra flowers. Many people think of okra solely for its pods, the star of delicious dishes like gumbo or fried okra. But for me, the plant itself puts on a show well before harvest. Okra … Read more
You know me, I love getting my hands dirty and exploring new ways to connect with nature. This past weekend, I decided to take my air plants, Tillandsias, on an unusual outing: a trip to the lake beach! I know, it sounds a bit quirky, but I was curious to see how they’d react to … Read more
It’s August 4th, 2025, and I’m looking out at my very first vegetable garden. It’s not a huge plot, and honestly, there are weeds I probably should have tackled weeks ago. But standing here, seeing the corn stalks standing tall, the tomato plants heavy with fruit, the peppers starting to ripen, and a couple of … Read more
As the summer sun ripens our gardens, I find myself thinking about how to best enjoy this bounty long after the growing season ends. For me, that means turning to time-honored methods like canning and pickling. It’s a rewarding way to extend the freshness and flavor of seasonal produce, connecting us more deeply to our … Read more