Sweet, tender Summer was becoming a bit more brazen and fierce as desiccated leaves scraped and scratched their way along the ground.  Although not in a drought, DuPage County and much of Illinois have been behind in precipitation year over…

Summer marched forth to the cadence of the cicada, stumbling ever so often, as her rhythm slowly became out of sync.  Her easy going nature seemed strained, and her once verdant beauty disheveled and unkempt.  A kind word and a…

Weighted down with the heavily perfumed blooms of early Summer, the Linden’s boughs, like a Southern Belle’s hoop skirt, seemed in full curtsy.  She was decadent and lavish, but it wasn’t long before she began to slump and shed her…

Every flower awaited its turn, like an eager dance partner, as the bees flitted and twirled amongst them. Summer’s arrival finds our gardens and landscapes in full bloom.  It’s no coincidence that Summer’s arrival coincides with National Pollinator Week.  A…

The Cottonwood’s downy seeds fell like snow.  Drifting and swirling upon the air, some suspended momentarily as they sought the perfect landing place.  Soon, they began to snag and accumulate.  It was magical, slightly alarming, and a complete contrast to…

  The bee floated amongst the flowers, hovering and bouncing between the blooms, landing and lingering upon only the most appealing.  He made several passes, returning to some, while ignoring others.  He seemed discerning in his quest, much like today’s…

The delicate, silvery strand caught a splinter of light, momentarily shimmering and glistening in the early summer sun.  As the wind began to roil and swirl, the spider’s silk became untethered, taking flight upon the breeze.  An almost invisible moment…

She stood slender and tall, majestic and noble, clad in her sapphire gown of petals and glittering diamonds of dew.  She was, at once, royal and proud, yet demure and gracious.  Posturing amidst the wind and rain.  A beacon of loveliness and tenacity.  A…

  With Mother’s Day just behind us, our “safe” planting date has finally arrived!  This generally marks the beginning of warming temperatures, which in turn means my outside exposure gradually begins to decrease as temperatures and humidity rise.  When I…

With May’s prudence and seeming benevolence, we will finally be able to exhale as warming temperatures mean we can soon begin to plant.  May, after all, means Mother’s Day, and Mother’s Day means flowers, so what better way to honor…