Figalicious

The end of the summer signals the end of fig season for us. Each year we’re surprised to find out how much fruit our tree will produce. Last year was a light harvest, but this year has been exceptional. With so much fruit, I needed to minimize sharing with the birds and learned how to decorate the tree with metallic ribbons. The crows, however,... read more

The Ups and Downs of Summer Gardens

I find it fascinating that gardens really have a mind of their own. We have tried for years to grow zucchinis. We get nice blossoms and then nothing. But our neighbor directly across the street grows them in such quantity; she gave me the two giant ones below. I was able to return the favor by giving her tomatoes and basil which love growing in... read more

Book Review – Circe by Madeline Miller

My book club started off the summer with a wonderful book. “Circe” came out in 2018 to great reviews, but I’ve found that doesn’t prove much as I was extremely disappointed with “Where the Crawdads Sing.” Initially, I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy a book about a Greek goddess. My recollection of Greek mythology is extremely limited.... read more

Eternal Hills

When you see the words “eternal hills” together, you can be pretty certain it is connected to a cemetery. Recently, I learned there was an Eternal Hills Memorial Park fifteen miles north in Oceanside. I had to check it out. Typically when I visit a cemetery, there are very few living people there. But this visit was near Memorial Day, and I... read more

Those Bears

There’s a commercial still playing in my head from the Super Bowl. (Was that even this year?) I’ll give you a hint: it involves singing bears, underwear and toilet paper. Yes, it’s that Charmin commercial. I have lots of questions and rambling thoughts about that commercial. Why did Charmin pick bears? Are bears that cute? If I was in a... read more