Thoughtful musings on various topics by interesting people at Blithewold

Stellar weekend

Hey, what’s that thing up there that’s all bright and making me feel kind of warmish? Could it be…? No… I don’t believe it. Yes – it’s true – the sun’s out! Yesterday’s gale dried … Read more.

A jump on spring

The weather has been so mild this past week that we couldn’t help but be outside cleaning up – about two weeks ahead of last year.  And I know we’re not alone – it seems … Read more.

Emerge

Take a pretty close look right about now and you’ll see it everywhere – spring is just poking it’s head out of the ground.  The daffodils are 4 or 5 inches tall in some places, … Read more.

Force it

Anyone who has ever been to a flower show in February or March knows that the exhibitors work very hard to manipulate the seasons.  We’re all so ready by now for winter’s end – especially … Read more.

Sow chilly

I’ve gone soft.  The thaw we had a couple of weeks ago has totally ruined me for the rest of winter.  I can’t go outside in the freeze anymore without complaining every bit as bitterly … Read more.

Terrarium rehab

Terrariums are (still) cool.  Last year I wrote a post (Terrariums are cool (again)) on how I make – and became addicted to – terrariums.  And if you were inspired then to make one (or … Read more.

Winter storage

What have you done with all of the tender perennials you bought this summer?  Are they in the compost heap?  Have you left them where they were planted in hopes of a mild winter come-back?  … Read more.

Good news

Things are really looking up around here.  I have to say that I still have goosebumps and this weirdly giddy feeling that must be called “hope”.  Rhode Islanders, regardless of a devastatingly stinky economy (did … Read more.

Jack’s back

Mother Nature must have kicked Jack Frost out of bed this morning because he came by bright and early to nip our roses (and a few noses and other posies).  Gail and I tried to … Read more.

Beware the Asian Longhorned Beetle

This is truly the stuff horror films and nightmares are made of:  Last week the RI Department of Environmental Management released a report that the presence of Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB) larva was suspected in … Read more.