Under the Solano Sun

Mother Nature is making this generous offer. Many of my neighbors or their mow n' blow gardeners invest hours of toil cleaning fallen leaves out of their yards, and for years I have been observing city crews blowing leaves out of Suisun City landscaping beds and hauling away great bags of them.

Have you ever looked at a perfect specimen of a plant, only to discover that some insect has disfigured it by cutting circles into the leaves? Were you dismayed, or angry that some nasty insect was chewing on your plants?

...

On our last spring road trip, I encountered something unusual on the drive home. We (meaning, I) like meandering around, taking the road less taken than what the GPS says is the closest and fastest way home. It's the best way to know the area, in case you get lost next time.

Several years ago, while visiting a dear friend and former work colleague in the Bay Area, I toured her plant-packed backyard admiring her husband's koi pond and her collection of tropical plants.