The Only Thing Toxic about the White House Kitchen Garden is the Rumors: Scientists Correct the Record on Contamination" The takeaway: “This is about politics, not lead,” Dr. Gray said. “It’s inflammatory. 93 ppm is well below background lead for an urban environment. It’s what you’d expect just from atmospheric deposition.” Atmospheric deposition is lead particles that fall out of the sky, from things like auto emissions. Chicken Little, anyone? Via Garden Rant

Went to La Jolla on a job. Had some time before I was due back at the airport, so I sat on the greensward of this little bay, feeling the sea breeze in my hair and watching the water sparkle. Lovely day.

In garden arrangement, as in all other kinds of decorative work, one has not only to acquire a knowledge of what to do, but also to gain some wisdom in perceiving what it is well to let alone. Gertrude Jekyll * * - Taken from the sidebar of Cold Climate Gardening, thanks, Kathy

This fellow was showing off for the ladies up on Sunrise Peak Trail. The lizards are in full breeding color right now, very lizard sexy. Picture taken March 22, 2008

The wheel of the year has turned twice since I wrote about the Star Magnolia, and again the talk is of moving. This time, the move is imminent. Tomorrow I finish packing the trailer and call for the driver to pick it up. Then I pack up the dogs and my mom and my houseplants. Er. Let me rephrase that: My mom and my dogs and... er. anyway. Mom and I pack up the dogs and the houseplants and pile into the van for the cross-country road show. Spring has finally come to Michigan, creeping in from the corners all...