Sagebrush: Species of the Week
One of the things I like about writing regular posts on various species is that it challenges my own tendency to overlook or take for granted species that are common, mundane, or unpopular. Last week, I had the good fortune to take a brief vacation in the high desert country of Central Oregon. I decided it was time to learn more about a plant I see everywhere throughout the Great Basin but know little about: Artemesia tridentata, or sagebrush.
Magnolias of Hoyt Arboretum
In March, I had a craving for trilliums that took me to Tryon Creek State Park. In April, I wanted to stick my nose into magnolia blossoms, so Django (my standard poodle) and I headed over to Hoyt Arboretum. A brisk uphill walk (or a quick Max ride) from downtown Portland, Hoyt arboretum covers 187 [...]
Floating
Based on a recent trip I got dragged into, this image came immediately to mind when I considered the random words given for NaPoWriMo at Read Write Poem. It also vaguely fits the “hobby” prompt at Poetic Asides, although it’s not my hobby. ___________________________ Floating Impugned by eco-warriors the Star Princess – a floating hotel [...]
Trilliums in the City
I craved trilliums yesterday but didn’t have the energy to drive far. And with 92,000 acres of green space in Portland, Oregon, I didn’t have to. I drove ten minutes across town and entered 645 acres of trillium heaven in Tryon Creek State Park. A washed-out footbridge detoured me onto a horse trail, but I [...]
Eagles and Dogs
A sore throat, stuffy nose and cough inspire me to play with images instead of words today. Okay, there are some words, but not too many. Django and I headed out to the Sandy River Delta a few days ago. We go there at least once a week when we’re in Portland and have seen [...]
Superstitions, Saguaro, and Bajadas
A trip to Prescott College for a colloquium (and to visit my son) breaks my writing routine and has brought me into a drier, sunnier winter. A 24 hour detour to the Superstition Mountains east of Phoenix gave me a a taste of a desert spring. It also fulfilled a long-held fantasy of walking among the [...]
To Blog or Not
After several weeks of dabbling here, I’m still torn over the twenty-first century quandary: to blog or not? “Why I Blog,” an essay by Andrew Sullivan, senior editor of Atlantic Monthly, has helped put the practice in perspective and inspired me to continue exploring. Sullivan considers historical cousins to the weblog: the ship’s log, diary [...]
