The Edible Schoolyard, Berkeley

Made it home to Evanston in between snowstorms & bitter cold. I confess that it was nice to be in the Bay area when it was warm & dry, though the reason (an intense drought) is not good for obvious reasons. The weird weather meant plants were off-schedule...will show that in another post. Meantime, I was thrilled to explore The Edible Schoolyard in Berkeley (Alice Waters, of Chez Panisse).

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Martin Luther King & Guatemala

Actually, it is interesting to reflect on King's name after seeing a German production of Luther's life on Swedish t.v. during the holidays. I understand more now about his commitment to the poor and working against corruption.

During this morning's NPR reflections on King, a phrase stood out for me. Basically, the comment was that, in the last year of his life, when King recommitted and aligned with the poor, that was a dangerous thing to do in a capitalist culture. It reminded me of our AFOPADI friends and partners in Guatemala, and so here are the beloved mountain tops I visit there during my annual SSG & Earthways site visit.

I will be discussing the effect my non-profit work in Guatemala has had on my business and my life in a February 6th Webinar I'll give for MELA. It has an unbearable long title, but I hope to make the presentation clear & succinct. And there will be many pictures. You can register here for "Sustainability & Health:  How Sustainable Practices in Guatemala Have Influenced My Business and My Way of Life."

White on White: Sweden to Chicago

Back home from Dalarna, Sweden where in 2 weeks+, it was unseasonably gray and rainy. So much for my intentions to get exercise via cross-country skis...1st World problems, but the temperature bizarreness is everyone's problem.
The only white we saw there was on the exposed forest floor, this white moss I believe is called Lichen rangiferinus. If you know better: please correct!

Flying home, we began to see snow over Norway. I took this somewhere between Greenland and Canada.

We arrived home just in time for another foot of snow and below zero temps created by the Polar Vortex that brought same to all 50 states. I was grateful to a client who sent this photo below of her newly installed garden at night! The white house adds another exciting seasonal dimension to white on white. I was delighted to see it. As well, I will use this image in my class Feb. 1st that I am teaching on 4-Season Interest in Composition and Design during the annual Wicker Park Garden Club Landscape Design Course. It starts tomorrow (1/11/14), but perhaps you can still register here for the best deal in town!

This weekend, I will be participating at our 3rd Annual SSG Board Retreat.

Red Rock: More Nature vs. Man-Made

Reflecting on this image from my recent trip to Red Rock Canyon National Park outside Vegas, I was wondering why I feel so connected to this place. Is it the overwhelming expanse of sky that puts me in my place? The muted palette that forces me to notice subtle detail? The spareness of plant material that reminds me of the deep meaning of adaption and sustainability? The rock formations that expose me to geologic time?
And then, there is the jet-trail, a reminder that even though I feel I am surrounded by nature, I am also surrounded by human effects on nature. And while I heard it snowed in Jerusalem today, it it forecast to be raining in Stockholm tomorrow. Something is out-of-joint...and of course, I fly to Vegas, Sweden and Guatemala. 

Plant Artifacts from the 1893 Columbian Exposition

Interesting small exhibit in the Chicago Field Museum from their vaults. I was most compelled by this rope, which I believe was made of hemp (but don't quote me)! Here is a touching artifact for plant geeks...

Last Week in Illinois' Landscape: Marriage Equality and Tornadoes

Two impressive events occurred in Illinois last week. I can only say that it took long enough for our Legislature to pass Marriage Equality, but I am glad it finally happened. The law takes effect in June 2014 and I believe I will be attending several weddings. At long last, my LGBT friends will receive wedding gifts from me instead of visa-versa! 

Here I have only photos related to our tragic weather story: we were one of the last flights to leave O'Hare airport Sunday morning before it was shut down for tornadoes. Ironic how what speaks of tragedy can look so beautiful. For those who don't live here, I can only say that tornadoes are normally a Springtime event and it's not lost on me that they occurred in Illinois during the week of the shameful Warsaw Climate Change Conference and in the week following Typhoon Haiyan's horror. As usual, you can find good coverage on Democracy Now (11/22/13, another day steeped in national tragedy, 50th anniversary of JFK's murder). 

Botanical Joy: Merz Apothecary

For more than three decades I have been shopping at Merz's Apothecary (the Lincoln location). It used to be one of the very few places in Chicago to get homeopathic remedies...

Last night, their botanical window installation delighted me; it includes lavender, loofah sponges, eucalyptus and peacock feathers. My favorite products include YuBe Moisturizing Skin Cream (great for gardener's dry hands) and Kneipp's Bath Oils, especially Orange and Linden Blossom for Harmonizing. Om...I will be indulging the latter after Thanksgiving when we finish our outdoor work.