Bag of goodies for sore muscles

Posted on by Jean Campbell

In fair weather, I spend every weekend possible in my garden in the vain hope of catching up. That frequently means the old back and feet are complaining by Sunday evening. As I've been toying with making my own home cleansers and body care products, I happened upon a delightful and accessible collection of recipes from Jan Berry's fantastic book, The Big Book of Homemade Products for your Skin, Health & Home. I have already tried out her Fresh Breath Dog Treats and the Honey,... Continue reading

What’s Next for the Secret Garden

Posted on by Jean Campbell

I began this series with the first post on March 1st. In case anyone reading this article has been living in a cave or is just out of a coma, COVID-19 has thrown a wrench in just about everyone's works. I had intended to post regular updates on the progress of the Secret Garden, but I have been busy... well, gardening. Soil has been the only balm for the anxiety, remorse, and frustration of dealing with the fallout of a pandemic. I am so fortunate to still have my job and a nice place to... Continue reading

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Posted on by Jean Campbell

Several years ago, I was in the car with my husband. I think we were in our neighborhood, perhaps headed to the grocery store. We passed a yard where the young man of the house was toiling away at his flawless lawn. The grass was a lush carpet of thick, inviting, green. As he bagged up the clippings from the lawnmower and carried them to the side of the road, I imagined the trips he'd taken to the local hardware store for lawn feed and weed killer. It struck me then of how hard we work... Continue reading

Balance – It’s the Best

Posted on by Jean Campbell

Pandemics and Gardening I love to garden. I am not necessarily great at it. But it is, most certainly, great for me. With one caveat. Balance. Planting, constructing, working with seed, reveling in the sites and sounds of the outdoors: this has been all I have been able to do. It takes me away from fear and panic in this unbelievable reality we are all sharing. ThrushBluebird dadEscapee All the while, my house is a mess, my brushes lay idle by my easel, my guitars sit lonely and... Continue reading