Respectful, Responsible, Safe
If we are the first two, more of us will experience the last.

If we are the first two, more of us will experience the last.


Mark Dion, “The Field Station of the Melancholy Field Biologist, Storm King Art Center
said the guy who is doing the exterior painting and repairs to me this morning, after we were talking about what needed to be done with the stairs, and we talked a little to the downstairs resident who was on his way out to work. Then he paused, after thinking about what he had seen of my house and garden and added, “unless it is cultivated.”
“Yes,” I replied, “it is cultivated.” I will never be completely easy-going, but at the same time as some might wish me more easy going, one of my strengths is my attention to detail and my ability to create order. I cultivate, though, an ease with necessary disorder — the disruptions that come hand-in-hand with construction, repairs, creation (art, kitchen, garden, home), growing relationships, and comfort where I am. We may not be able to change our nature, but we can make shifts that ease our being. Radical affirmation in yoga is accepting our tendencies, but then seeking shifts to make life even fuller.
After having at long last (years), had the back sleeping porch and deck repaired and improved, the garden has expanded to the sleeping porch. I’m trying beans, cherry tomatoes, and hops as trailing vines. It will be interesting to participate. Everything except the geranium and the strawberries were volunteers or plants outgrowing their space below.
I’ve given away lots of starts and divides and have plenty more, as well as cuttings. Locals—let me know if you want some. Soon I will be fully vaccinated. If you will be also, we could even do some yoga.

In October through early November, I have autumnal color right outside my bedroom window as the red maple in my front garden and the sugar maple in the tree box right in front of it, blaze into glorious color. Through the winter, the view is decidedly urban. I look right out at the apartment building across the street and must keep the venetian blinds down for privacy even during the day. If we get snow or an ice storm, I look out at branches gilded-jewel like with winter frost.
Only two weeks ago, there was only a hint of red and green on the two maples. Now they are in fresh, full leaf. Not only is my yard shaded, but my view is changed and my privacy veiled by a curtain of leaves.
These trees cool my house and the street, help make the air more breathable, provide needed habitat for birds, and give me the pleasure of their beauty. If you have space, consider planting a tree. Extra bonus, the District has extended its rebate program for planting trees on private property.