Thoughtful musings on various topics by interesting people at Blithewold

I scream (for sunscreen), part 2

I am constantly on the hunt for the right-tool-for-the-job and both Gail and I have amassed an array of sunscreen that is starting to resemble a pharmacy shelf display and is draining our wallets. Last … Read more.

I scream for sun screen

It’s probably too late for me. Smooth, milky white skin just isn’t in the cards. I’m young enough that I grew up wearing sunscreen at the beach – but old enough that it was bright … Read more.

Every day is Bloom Day!

The Annual Meeting is behind us, the (monthly) Garden Soirees are before us, visitors visit daily and the blooms must go on! I know I’m not the only one who tidies madly at home for … Read more.

Getting spiffed

This past week everyone on the staff has had a certain look on their face – a focused, single-minded and frenzied sort of glaze – because Blithewold’s Annual Meeting is tonight. And everything must. be. … Read more.

Something Completely Different

Honk if foundation plantings make you cringe! There’s no doubt about it, it’s difficult to live in the world and not at least have a neighbor with Yertle the Turtle style bubble shrubberies flanking their … Read more.

Will Work For Baked Goods

I really enjoy working with each group of volunteers and I missed out a little this week. We called off the volunteers on Tuesday because of Monday’s torrential rain and I was lashed to my … Read more.

Coming attractions

The guys have just about finished with “phase 1” of the Display Garden redesign. Gail and I really didn’t know how they were going to deal with a tricky grading issue in the last bed … Read more.

Our Claim to Fame

A lot of visitors have been asking lately “what’s wrong with the Giant Sequoias?!” For those of you who aren’t familiar with Blithewold, we have one of – if not the – tallest Sequoiadendron giganteum … Read more.

A Passalong Plant (for the Garden Bloggers’ Book Club)

I haven’t read the book club’s selection for this month: Passalong Plants by Steve Bender and Felder Rushing (every time lately that I sit still with any open book I pass out cold – it’s … Read more.

the elves

It’s already been a weird week of elfish triumph, freakish nature and things that nightmares are made of. First the triumphs: our garden elves and selves yesterday planted the cutting garden and spread leaf mulch … Read more.