It’s happening. Our funky side yard with its treacherous stairs and shabby retaining walls is getting a new look. Read more.
garden
When a Widow Laughs. Or, a Backyard Work in Progress
Standing in the mess that is our backyard, talking and laughing with the landscaping crew, I wonder: Is it OK when a widow laughs? Read more.
Our New Patio — We’ve Added a Another Room to Our House. Sheltering at Home Week 33
We thought we were just replacing some sandstone in our front yard. Little did we know, our new patio added a whole new room to our house. Read more.
We’re Putting Our Shabby Old Patio Out of Its Misery — At Last. Sheltering at Home Week 22
Our shabby old patio was a mess when we first laid eyes on it forty-two years ago. Today, it’s still not a pretty sight. Time for a redo. Read more.
Petunias! A Shopping Success Story. Sheltering at Home Week 21
The plant nursery down the hill was open for business. Everybody wore masks. Carts were wiped down with bleach. And there were — petunias! Read more.
I Finally Got to Go Shopping. Here’s How That Worked Out. Sheltering at Home Week 19
After months of sheltering at home, I got in my car to do some actual brick-and-mortar shopping. A favorite retailer had other plans for me. Read more.
I’ve Got a Pile of Antique Bricks in My Backyard. And They’re Headed for the Dump. Sheltering at Home Week 18
The antique bricks in our garden staircase are pavers. They were made for the streets of San Francisco 100 years ago. Too bad the staircase is falling apart. Read more.