So we go on.

Once upon a time I used to write blog posts a couple times a week. Then something happened. Life began to just move too quickly and in so many directions.

My last blog post was February 2026. Yikes. Then again, life also doesn’t always include the readiness to share and I just couldn’t MAKE the time. Contrary to what social media fanatics might think.

Honestly, this year has been filled with incredible life experiences I can finally share with you. How about some photos?

My late summer garden is as wild as ever. I just pruned back the Japanese willow for the second time this year. Those 6’ sticks on the left are holding two fab new hollyhocks that will go in the new garden.

*The yuccas and false cypress are holding their own waiting for the new driveway bed to be started the end of September.*

*My four local grandchildren command a large amount of my energy- mainly the two oldest. Luckily, they both just started pre-k.*

A new garage!

*In January, our property became a construction site. The demolition of the old carport happened in one day. Then came winter rains and the inevitable slowdown at foundation time.*

*Voila! The oversize, side door made of antique Pennsylvania barnwood is still under construction. Almost done*.

The location of the garage door backyard facing) requires a major driveway revision to build out the hill for turnaround space. Subsequently we need to create a new garden on the hillside to manage the new fill. Good news. It’s my FIRST real, sunny garden. Work is scheduled to begin the end of September and continue into October.

Creative work and fair attendance have slowed in the service of everything else. In April I installed a Mac Mini intending to jump into discovering new design tools. Ha. Maybe this winter?

We’ll be starting fair season soon if you find yourself in the northwest corner…November and December

*I’m exploring the use of a heavier cotton linen fabric to showcase some new art on tea towels. This fall I’ll be testing them out at holiday fairs.*

I’m looking for lighter weight gauze for larger scarves and perhaps curtains. This may require a new print vendor. It all begins with sample swatches- just in for review. See what’s in now.

*I’m pursuing watercolor effects on some hybrid lily images.*

This year, I took electric shears to my boxwoods. So much to see and learn about pruning. To be continued. A good friend and I went on an extensive garden tour of several local gardens-most inspiring- starting at …https://hollisterhousegarden.org/

*A private garden in Washington-Is there a water feature in the cards for my garden in future? I sure hope so!*

I’ve always tried to include music in my blog posts. I listen to Pandora as I work on computer or in the garden. For some reason, country singers have surfaced often these days. I think it important to keep company with the human side of life in the face of political chaos.

Townes Van Zandt -singer/songwriter from Texas. Great quote:” One day God touched me on the shoulder and said… “Son, write these songs.” Here’s one.

If I Needed You