June 12 & 13 are full of garden events here in the Hudson Valley and across the country. Locally we have the first annual Beacon Composts tour of local city gardens, gardenersand their associated compost piles(who doesn't love good compost). This weekend has a full...

For Christmas this year my brother, Andy, gave me a box of pears from that famous fruit duo, Harry and David. (At the least, I was hoping for a mixed box of fruit). Not being partial to pears, I thought, "These will be wasted on me." I never cared for the grainy texture I associate with pears and they always were too hard for my palate. Well, being the good consumer that I am, I thoroughly read through the enclosed information card which stated that these pears are "So big and juicy,...

Matt and Meghan got married - causing a quick trip to Florida the beginning of the month. Stayed at the "downtown" Sheraton, which was quite north of downtown by New York standards. Rented a car, 'cause that is what one does in Orlando. From the window of my room I had a lovely view of the hotel pool, and this tropical water garden courtesy of the abandoned building next door. I assume abandon, because only someone as creative as Mother Nature could construct such combinations. ...