Plant Stories
“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 […]
Leah, My Juniper Bonsai Tree
From the nursery I returned with what one day I would eventually portray as an elegant, pine green Juniper Bonsai. However, at the time, the tree did not bring me an ounce of joy, as all that was on my mind was the passing of […]
Sweet Peas
Sweet Peas by Donna Williams I am struggling to paint a bouquet of sweet peas. Picked this morning from my back garden, straight cat-tongue-hair stems that hold lacy light blossoms, self-possessed yet playful. The perfume, the perfume! Alberta honey and a daughter’s love. I mix […]
Musing from Under a Moss Leaf
Whenever I’m in the forest I like to imagine that I’m a centimeter tall. I’d probably turn over acorn shells to use them as rafts or make a friend with a banana slug. I’d probably spend most of my time by the banks of trickling […]
My Ancient Older Brother- Kalo
“Kalo is our oldest brother. An ancient ancestor.” I remember hearing this from my favorite professor at the University of Hawaii, Maui Campus. Kalo. Taro. Poi- that sticky purple stuff you feel obligated to scoop on your plate at every luau. From that day, my […]
Me and My Tomato Plant
I was an avid gardener as a kid. I helped out at the local community garden every Sunday from 6th grade up to 9th. While I was there, I would help other people with their plots, as I was too young to have one of […]
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 […]
Rice; That Old Wheel
Oryza Sativa. In other words, rice. While its Latin name is relatively new to me, rice is not, and far from it. For nearly one hundred years, my family has associated with that crop which has sustained us, our nation, and the world. From men […]
Existential Passionflower
I suppose, to translate this into terms humans might be able to understand, the best way to explain my existence is to say that I stretch. I am a vine so my tendrils snake out ever further, looking for fresh new branches to cling onto, […]
Fairies in my Garden
I think I am probably dealing better with quarantine than most people. I am very happy staying at home most days. Grocery shopping is not my favorite thing to do on a good day so the less of that the better. What I do love […]
So much more than a walk
I don’t need to tell you that we are all living in strange times. We are reminded everywhere we turn. While it is important for us all to be vigilant about our health and figure out our new normal it is also important for us […]