Welcome

There. I said it. Despite being born and raised in Texas, I've lived in California for several decades, off and on. I love everything about this Golden State, except for its politics. I'm going to go there, even though I've mentioned in other public forums that I would rather not delve into politics with my writing and focus more on the cultural and beautifully challenging things in life. Politics is neither beautiful nor cultural to me. It's becoming an all-consuming topic f

My garden offerings. Red "Lasting Love" roses and the most vibrant pink petunias. What a month! I'm doing my best to keep up with the thriving blooms and plants that adorn our property, and it's A LOT! But I love it. My current passion. Even the greenhouse has gotten overloaded with burgeoning tomato plants, several succulents, and ROSES! I've always wanted to grow roses (just like my grandfather's award-winning garden), so we'll see how it pans out. May has been chock-full o

Snapdragons are SO HAPPY in the greenhouse. Good April Earth Month to you! I realize how much gardening I've been caught up in, and there's no sign of slowing down. Thus, my words to you are a tad overdue for April. But, here I am! What's the what in life today? Well...I continue to watch little Punch monkey every moment I can. His growth pattern and precious mannerisms leave me with such a wonderful feeling in my heart, I oftentimes forget what time it is and where I'm suppo

A baby Macaque monkey who thrives on curiosity and learning. If you said I was going to obsessively watch the journey of a tiny Japanese monkey, you'd think I was nuts or something. But that's precisely what I've been doing and invested in since the internet showed this precious Macaque monkey named 'Punch.' He's about the most beautiful thing I've witnessed in a long while. His emergence onto the world stage at the Ichikawa zoo in Japan has created such an onslaught of Punch

What a way to begin 2026! Winter brings some rain to our Central California coast, as does a La Niña year; yet we've had a whollop of heavy moisture for the past few weeks. And, oh yeah, we launch into the Year of the Horse for the Lunar New Year, alongside a feeling of inspiration, hope, adventure, and whatever else makes your heart sing. Rainy days often get a bad reputation. Many see them as gloomy interruptions to plans or productivity. Yet, these wet, quiet moments offer

I wish I could say this was mine; however, it's not. This one, though, gives me great pause and appreciation for how magnificent these things are when filled with greenery, beauty, and potential. Happy 2026! My, oh my, how things shape up when given much love and nourishment. There's been a noticeable shift in our lives that has everything to do with nature and nothing to do with what's on the tips of our tongues. Yes, I'm talking about gardening and creating in the garden ve

Wizard is doing his signature stance whilst staying in our AZ Airbnb. The final month of the year, and I wanted to give a shout-out to my and Greg's mothers. Both of our beloved Moms are in hospice. Both of our Moms have endured month after month and year after year of pain, separation, lack of independence, and above all, missing their immediate families. The good news is they have adapted (somewhat) to their assisted living and memory care surroundings. At first, it was tou

Our hawk friend is having conversations on morning walks. From the very beginning of each day, I am thrust into nature all around. It's such a blessing to walk out my door and feel the cool sea air, listen to the owls hooting to each other from atop the trees, and catch a sighting of this hawk beauty perched on a nearby fence. Wizard first notices the piercing of its squawk, then I see its silhouette before daybreak. Once the morning sun shines right on the hawk's gorgeous fe

Very much so. The energy is palpable around the world. What feels like endings can only usher in beginnings. I do have hope, though....

Sunsets here in these parts are off-the-wall stunning! Summer is the season that everybody and their brother wait for year after year....