Category Archives: Gardening

Hungry for Natives

Every week I try to sneak away from the city. I live in Eugene, Oregon which is a considered a small city by most standards but it is a city none-the-less. Eugene is rife with parks and bike paths but … Continue reading

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The Medicine of Flowers

I call myself the practical herbalist. Pragmatism is a value that I hold in high regard. I dress in clothing that fits comfortably. I strive to cook food that is flavorful and nutritious. I recycle. I can. I save paper … Continue reading

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Life of Pie

I love pie. I was raised with the scent of pie cooking in the oven just before a holiday or birthday. My family was poor so cake was a luxury that we could rarely afford. Pie is made of fruit … Continue reading

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Elderberry to the Rescue

I am an unabashed elderberry fan. It is not a one-size-fits-all herb like garlic. It doesn’t grow neatly on a kitchen window like sage. It isn’t easy to pick without a ladder like cayenne. It doesn’t wander into the front … Continue reading

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Garlic Day in Sierralupeland

The garlic was ripe and ready to harvest. The leaves were drying and flowers were fading. It was garlic harvest time. I bundled up the garlic that I had pulled and laid it on on the lawn by the deck … Continue reading

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Teenagers and the Backyard Chicken

Backyard chicken coops are all the rage now. There is even a name for women who raise urban chickens: femivore. This term doesn’t fit my lifestyle. I am not a suburban housewife with a high income hippie agenda. I work … Continue reading

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War of the Roses

I planted an aggressive climbing rose on purpose. There is a 3/4″ space between our circa 1940s chain link fence and the back of our neighbor’s shed. In this space lives an arrogant English Ivy. It knows that I won’t … Continue reading

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Mowing for Back Pain

My back ached. It could have been the 2-5 gallon buckets of soil that I lugged around the parking lot at the plant sale last weekend. It could have been the hole I dug in the front yard to uproot … Continue reading

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Spreading Dandelions

My stomach feels hollow. I can taste a bitter tang on my teeth. Gray root stains line the sides of my palms. I can smell the acrid tang of the plant’s latex each time I clinch my fists. It is … Continue reading

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The Ghost of Karl Marx

“Propagation Fair” is the new name of this annual event. This is a sterile term for a fertile undertaking. For those who wish to propagate misinformation, energy waves, or software; stay home. This show is not for you. In reality, … Continue reading

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