Summer Seeds Are Falling Like Leaves
If you were to walk the streets of my neighborhood these days, you could be forgiven for thinking it’s autumn. The portions of sidewalks and yards under trees are carpeted with piles—but those are not piles of leaves. Instead, if you were to step closer, you would...
Coexisting in a Crowded World
A couple of weeks ago I got a surprise on my morning walk. As you can see from the photo above, I encountered a family of javelinas in one of the parks in my neighborhood. They weren’t happy to see me, and most of them ran quickly by (making them appear somewhat...
Contemplating Another Fire Season in the Desert Southwest
It’s fire season here in Arizona. There are multiple fires burning across the state, exacerbated by drought conditions that blanket the entire state and, in fact, the entire American Southwest. Yes, deserts are dry places, but most deserts get at least some rain, and...
Handling the Heat of Summer
Summer heat has arrived here in southern Arizona. The mercury is now hitting triple digits every afternoon. This is typical for summer, but the low desert climate does bring its challenges. My vegetable garden is populated with non-native plants (everything from...
Desert Durability and Stunning Fleeting Beauty
Last Friday, a veritable feast for the eyes erupted in our backyard. Despite drought, our various cacti have proven their durability. One day after (and perhaps because?) our temperatures topped 100 degrees for the first time this year, we were blessed with multiple...
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