Category: Uncategorized
Elizabeth Blackwell’s “Love Apples”
Desperate circumstances led Elizabeth Blackwell (~1700-1758), a Scottish botanical illustrator, to create A Curious Herbal, a gorgeously illustrated book of 500 medicinal plants. Blackwell’s husband Alexander had landed in debtor’s prison in London, and Elizabeth had to support both herself and their child–as well as […]
“Stay-at-Home” Plant Stories
Most of us are living strange, upended lives these days–isolated and indoors, struggling to maintain precious connections to family and friends. In many cases, our access to the out-of-doors and to the soothing power of the natural world is severely limited. Writing a “stay-at-home” story […]
Home is Where the Cactus Is
Schlumbergera, affectionately known as the Christmas Cactus, has become an integral part of my family. This simple green succulent has been in the background throughout my entire childhood. Everywhere we moved, my mother was careful to make sure it was well cared for but, like […]
