Peas just don’t get any respect. They may, in fact, be the Rodney Dangerfield of the garden. Sugar snaps and snow peas do seem to rank well, but few people grow them, or at least grow them successfully. Even fewer people grow the old English type pea that you have to shell out and cook without the pod. But peas, and fresh peas, are delicious … Continue reading Give Peas a Chance
Every generation has its public scientific figures — the thinkers, tinkerers and discoverers. These days, the public face of science can be found in the likes of Neil deGrasse Tyson or Stephen Hawking, and we look back through the generations at great minds like Albert Einstein, Alan Turing and Isaac Asimov. We see innovation from modern-day tinkerers in programming that gives rise to new ways … Continue reading A 19th Century Garden Hero: Hero or villain today?
This post was originally published as a guest post on The Art of Manliness on April 5, 2013. It refers to warm weather, but it is never to early to start planning the garden. With warm weather upon us and summer just around the corner, it’s time to think about gardening. “Gardening?” you say. Yes, gardening. If the mention of it has you thinking of … Continue reading 7 Reasons to Become a Gentleman Gardener
One of my goals for the new year is to spend more time on creative pursuits. One of those is origami. I also plan to spend some time on stained glass when it is warm enough to get into my workshop/shed. Here’s my latest project. It is called Five Intersecting Tetrahedra. I’m not sure if it was as relaxing as I think origami should be…more … Continue reading Hobbies other than gardening: origami
These go right along with a majority of my goals (not resolutions) for the new year. I think we all need to “take more time,” for lots of things – ourselves, others, our interests. Let 2015 be the year that you “make time.” Continue reading 18 Things Everyone Should Start Making Time For Again
Where does this tradition of giving someone an innocent (or not-so-innocent) peck on the cheek whenever you find yourselves beneath the mistletoe come from? And just what is mistletoe anyway? Continue reading Norse Legend Leads to Christmas Tradition
A cactus, of all things, is one of those plants that have come to represent the holidays. But, my friends, it seems that there has been an insidious marketing campaign to confuse consumers. For the cactus you buy in the store labeled “Christmas cactus” is an impostor. It is, in fact, a Thanksgiving cactus. Now this wouldn’t be such a big deal, except that there … Continue reading Is your Christmas cactus an impostor?
This article was originally published in the Charleston Gazette-Mail on Dec 8, 2013. Perhaps the most widespread symbol of the celebration of the Christmas holidays is the Christmas tree. Storied with lore, both ancient and modern, the Christmas tree finds itself in homes, stores, offices, churches and public squares. How did an evergreen tree become the center of attention for a religious holiday? And … Continue reading TBT: Christmas trees (real ones) have tradition, lore
The chill of early December gives way to winter cold. Mornings are filled with the sparkle and glint of the play of sunrise on frost. And many homes, shops and offices are bedecked with the finery of the holidays as the season of celebration approaches. More often than not, you’ll find poinsettias — hopefully real ones — among the decorations of the holiday. This plant … Continue reading Happy National Poinsettia Day: There’s more than meets the eye in your Christmas poinsettia
Turkey Day has come and gone, crowds have rushed out to buy more than they need or can afford, and traffic around shopping centers will be unbearable. It’s Christmas! It’s time to, in the words of Auntie Mame, “Haul out the holly.” I’ll be honest — when it comes to decorating for Christmas, I prefer a simpler, natural approach. I’m not a fan of giant … Continue reading Natural Christmas from old traditions
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