Blueberries? They couldn’t be blueberries! I’d never seen blueberries in the desert, or for sale in a Tucson farmer’s market, or in anyone’s garden in this town. And I certainly hadn’t planted them in my garden. I went in closer. The plant was loaded with little fruits, purplish-black, the size of blueberries or even slightlyContinue reading “Post 75: My Black Pearls”
Tag Archives: sustainable living
Post 74: What’s a Little Hard Labor Among Friends?
This is the second of a two-part story. For part one, see Post 73. We were, perhaps, close to halfway done digging the trench. At this point it was a little scary. Based on what we’d done so far, I was starting to believe It could happen. But the space we had to dig throughContinue reading “Post 74: What’s a Little Hard Labor Among Friends?”
Post 73: Retrenchment
Weeds were growing everywhere now, and starting to turn brown. I always checked the water meter box in the alley to make sure it was clear of them; otherwise I might get another reprimand from the city. This time it was clear of weeds. But the ground around it was wet, and the concrete boxContinue reading “Post 73: Retrenchment”
Post 71: Need a Job?
For almost all human history, there was no such thing as a job. There was plenty of work, to be sure: Work was whatever needed to be done for survival, and it involved nature. We can guess that in prehistoric times, work wasn’t really separated from the rest of life. (Are you shelling those nuts forContinue reading “Post 71: Need a Job?”
Post 70: Fighting the Power (with Dandelions)
I hope I’m allowed to echo the slogan/chant/battle cry Fight the Power, even though I’m an old white lady and this refrain emerged from decades of Black energy, music, protest, and vulnerability. There is still a power that needs to be fought, and its domain has, over time, expanded rather than narrowed. Governments, corporations, and certain celebratedContinue reading “Post 70: Fighting the Power (with Dandelions)”
Post 69: Are You a Winter Wimp?
I am! I hate being cold, even just a little bit. You’d think growing up in Minnesota would have toughened me up a bit, but no. As soon as I was old enough, I escaped to a warmer place: this Sonoran Desert. (We still have winters here, but they’re mild—nowhere near as cold as theContinue reading “Post 69: Are You a Winter Wimp?”
Post 68: A New New Stuff Sucks!
This post will be a little different, for a couple reasons: One: I lost more than a week due to illness—not Covid, but a debilitating infection. I’m okay now, though. I’m so thankful we still have antibiotics! Two: With this post we’re kicking off a new feature of the blog: Each post will feature aContinue reading “Post 68: A New New Stuff Sucks!”
Post 64: Guilt
Do you feel guilty when you sin? I’m not talking about when you break one of the Ten Commandments. Following the letter of these ancient laws is not the societal concern that it used to be. You probably don’t think much about keeping your graven images in check, or coveting your neighbor’s spouse, or makingContinue reading “Post 64: Guilt”
Post 63: Teeny Halloweeny Post
This entry will be short, in honor of the “holiday.” Beware the poison! Have you noticed the two kinds of pumpkins—Jack-o-lantern pumpkins and pie pumpkins? I used to eat my jack-o-lanterns after Halloween. Then a friend told me the pumpkins they sold for that purpose had less stringent regulations than pie pumpkins because they wereContinue reading “Post 63: Teeny Halloweeny Post”
Post 62: Top Ten Reasons You Love Pomegranates
10. They’re free and come with no packaging. Pomegranate trees are native to Iran and northern India—not the Sonoran Desert—but they do well in many climates, all over the world. Maybe yours. If you’re lucky enough to live where pomegranates are part of the landscape (and bearing fruit), pick one, open it, see if theContinue reading “Post 62: Top Ten Reasons You Love Pomegranates“
New Stuff Sucks 