Hope

In the Christian tradition, this is the season of Advent, which begins the fourth Sunday before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve. Advent (the word means “coming” or “arrival”) is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus and to anticipate the coming of God’s kingdom on earth, when all of creation will be reconciled [...]

Why I Pray About Rain

I have a lot of opinions, especially about religion and politics, but I don’t write about them here. I think my garden blog ought to be about plants and birds and dirt and compost. God does make it into my blog from time to time, because, despite all evidence to the contrary, I [...]

Finally!!!

Over the weekend, word leaked out from the various weather services that a great deal of rain may be heading our way. The forecast called for rain to start Wednesday, which it did…in Burlington, where I work. All day Wednesday it rained, and I daydreamed of my plants getting a good drenching, only [...]

Running Out of Water

This is…or was…Lake Townsend, which supplies Greensboro’s drinking water. The city estimates that we have about 3 months of water left before we run out.Normally, the water extends to the trees.The car wash offers a suggestion…This church appeals directly to the Source…What else can we do? I mean, besides prohibit country clubs from [...]

Easter in August

Last Thursday as I was inspecting the toll exacted on my plants by the heat and drought, I came across this Japanese Magnolia. The leaves that hadn’t fallen off were brown and dessicated, and after much grumbling, I resigned myself to the knowledge that it would probably die, and began thinking of what to [...]

Garden Bloggers’ Muse Day

Some keep the Sabbath going to church;I keep it staying home,With a bobolink for a chorister,And an orchard for a dome.
Some keep the sabbath in surplice;I just wear my wings,And instead of tolling the bell for church,Our little sexton sings.
God preaches–a noted clergyman–And the sermon is never long;So instead of getting to Heaven at last,I’m [...]

The Birds of the Air

There are people, I suppose, who can look at a bird without any sense of awe. I probably don’t want to spend a lot of time in such company. Birds bring wonder and delight to the garden, and the wise gardener will take thought of how he can welcome them to his plot [...]