Category Archives: Holiday

Sometimes a Different Perspective Is Needed

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“Pink & Yellow Yarrow”
Heatherwood Summer

I have walked by this spot many, many times. What I normally see is a wide angle view of pretty flowers at my feet, green grass and a meadow expanding in front of me, our and our neighbors’ homes, and the distant ridge surrounding the view. By just moving down to ground level, my perspective completely changes to focus on the beautiful jewels right in front of my face.

Life is similar. So many times I look around and see all the confusion and discomforting things that distract me and cause anxiety. When I settle down and become grounded, I can see and feel the many things that are right with our world. Today, I celebrate Independence Day and reflect and cherish all what independence brings to me.

Happy 4th of July!

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Never Forget

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“World Trade Center and 9/11 Memorial”
New York City

Now, on this Memorial Day more than ever, we all need to step back and remember what our Nation has gone through to establish and maintain our Democracy. We need to honor all who have given their lives to maintain our freedom. We need to thank those who have rebuilt our country and our sense of democratic freedom after attacks have been made.

Right now, the world is under attack by an autocrat in Russia who has ruthlessly invaded the Ukraine and who threatens to use nuclear weapons if anyone tries to stop him. Here at home, we are threatened by an autocrat who has denied the legitimacy of our election process (without any proof) and who has instigated an attack on our Capitol. On a personal basis, we are being held up by a gun lobby who will not back off supporting selling military grade weapons designed for the mass killing of people.

It is the time for us to stand up and bring back sanity and compassion to our Nation and World.

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Easter Emergence

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“Celebrating Easter”
Heatherwood Lower Garden

Easter is a time of emergence and new life. Heatherwood welcomes Easter with its early spring burst of bulbs, trees blooming and leafing out, perennials popping out of the ground, and grass greening up. It is a celebration of life that nature and our Lord has given us.

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Happy Valentines Day

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“Bleeding Hearts”
Heatherwood Spring

Bleeding Hearts have always been a symbol for Valentines Day even though they bloom in May. This Bleeding Heart was the first plant that I planted in our garden after moving to Selah in 2016. Each year I anxiously await for it to present its spring glory.

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Happy New Year!

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“Sunrise View”
Heatherwood Winter

Today is the sunrise for a new year! It is a time to look forward to the new challenges and opportunities the new year will bring. There are wonderful times ahead to spend with family and friends. There are new adventures around the corner with new things to learn. There are times for work and for enjoying the results. There are times for quiet contemplation on what is most important in life. It will be our challenge to act on the most important things and make the best of each and every day.

Today will be a great day. Happy New Year!

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Merry Christmas!

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“Early Winter Snow”
Heatherwood Winter

We are thankful for the gift of a little pre-Christmas snow that helped us get into a peaceful Christmas spirit. The natural setting here at Heather wood allows us to relax and enjoy the wonderful gifts that our Lord has given us.

As I stroll in the winter garden, I reflect on the many happy Christmases I have had throughout my life. They started up at the Ranch in Selah, WA for my early childhood years. They continued at our Hillcrest house overlooking Selah during my adolescence and college years. Karen and I enjoyed Christmases in Richland, Seattle, Bothell, Washington DC, Kent, Woodinville, and Fountainville, PA as my career took me back and forth across the country. And now Mary and I are spending our golden years in our Heatherwood garden back in Selah.

The Christmas season, even with all its hustle and bustle, is an occasion where we all need to take the time to be at peace, reflect on our lives and be thankful for what is most important to us and all that our Lord has given us.

Merry Christmas!

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Simple Pleasures

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“Walk Through the Garden”
Heatherwood Winter

The simple pleasure of walking through our Heatherwood garden is something I do almost every day. Sometimes the walk is just a few minutes, other times hours go by before I come in. The garden is in its infancy, but little vignettes like the one above, make each stroll a new experience.

During the busy Holiday season it is easy to get lost in all the hustle and bustle. I try my best to make sure I do not let the opportunities for little simple pleasures escape.

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Happy Thanksgiving

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“Fothergilla and Maple Leaf”
Heatherwood Japanese Garden

Thanksgiving is a time to sit back, contemplate, and give thanks for the many things in the wonderful world around us. Everywhere I turn in our Heatherwood garden I see a little wonder of nature, This spent Japanese maple leaf among glorious reds, oranges, and yellows of a fothergilla highlights the beauty of the changing season. Noticing little things like the leaf on my daily strolls through our garden brings me excitement, peace, and balance. Being in nature frees up my mind from the many distractions of life and allows me to focus on what is most important to me. It reminds me to celebrate all the good that is in our world.

May you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your friends, family, and loved ones! And, please take the time to give thanks for all the good around us.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Celebrate Our Nation’s Birthday!

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“Evening Shadows on the Palouse”
The Palouse, Washington

I visualize future waves of grain rolling across these Palouse hills. We have so much to be thankful for in this beautiful country of ours. Roaming around our country side, there is so much to celebrate. It helps me focus on what is right about the world as opposed to the day to day issues I see in the news. And, from this perspective it is much easier to face and address the challenges that we all have in front of us.

Today is a day to celebrate our Country’s Birthday, enjoy the moment, and focus on what is right about our World. Have a great 4th!

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Happy Valentine’s Day

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“Bleeding Hearts”
Heatherwood Spring

Happy Valentine’s Day to all!

Hearts and Valentine’s Day go hand in hand. Our Bleeding Hearts (Dicentra) symbolize the Holiday. May your Valentine’s Day be a beautiful one filled with love and happiness.

A Little Trivia on the “Romantic” Valentine’s Day

The romantic Valentine’s Day was first brought to the public’s attention by Geoffrey Chaucer in his 1375 poem “Parliament of Foules.” Valentine’s greetings were introduced in the Middle Ages. Written greetings came after 1400. The oldest existing greeting is from 1415 in a poem by Charles, Duke of Orleans to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London.

Valentine’s Day celebrations began in the 1600’s. The next century small tokens and handwritten notes were popular. Printed cards started to replace handwritten notes by 1900. Printed cards along with lower postal rates contributed to sending Valentine’s cards by mail. Ester A. Holland introduced mass-produced Valentine’s Day cards in 1840. Today an estimated 145 million Valentine’s cards are sent each year.

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