Our yard has a lot of big trees and that means a lot of shade. Sometimes, that’s nice. But it also means I have a hard time growing all the plants and flowers I love. Shady spots hide critters like rabbits, and trees house destructive varmints like squirrels. This is the time of year when the shade has its moment in the spotlight. The hostas are leafed out and looking great. The astilbe are about ready to bloom, and this part of the garden takes on a tranquil, soothing feel. I always add a few annuals to give more color.

Continue reading Time for the shade to shine

Five years ago, my son’s dog Scully was at dog camp in Pennsylvania. (Scully lives in New York.) She’s the one on the left on hind legs. You’d never know this dog had had hip surgery. Five years later, Scully is still getting around. She hikes all over the Northeast and can go several miles at a time. Probably more than I can.

So happy to see the yard come to life! The trees and flowers are blooming! I’ve got a great crop of daffodils this year. Some tulips have started, but a few must’ve got nipped at just the wrong time and they’ve shriveled away. I love looking outside and seeing color around the yard. Always puts me in a cheerier mood! What’s blooming where you are?

I spent a few minutes in Kauffman Gardens yesterday. I try to get there a few times every year. The groundskeepers were cleaning and resealing the fountains, so the water wasn’t running. But someone had lovingly planted pansies. It looked like more spring blooms might be around the corner.

I only go to the city a couple times a week. My employer allows me to work from home, which is much more efficient for me. My commute is nearly a 2 hour round trip. And I prefer the view of the country – hay fields, trees, cows. But on the days I go into town, it’s nice to have so much stuff within walking distance. For instance, this coffee shop is only a few blocks from the office and provides me a much-appreciated walk and latte to break up my coding sessions.

Talk about the new airport is all the rage in Kansas City right now. But the airport of my heart is the one I left a few days ago — Palm Springs International. The open air design is welcoming on arrival and gives one last look at cheery blue skies and palm trees on saying goodbye. My husband and I sat outside and soaked up one last bit of sunshine before we boarded the plane that brought us back to cold temps and a dusting of snow. So much nicer than being stuck inside missing the sunshine! Do you have

Continue reading Open-air airport gives a sunny hello or goodbye

My friend Kathy traveled to Amsterdam recently and posted about it on Facebook. When I commented that I hoped she enjoyed the trip and that I love Amsterdam, she responded, “I brought a good book with me” . . . and posted a photo of herself holding my novel Safe Thus Far. I was honored she felt my book was worth the weight to pack on an overseas trip. That’s the type of fan every author wants!

This amazing vista is in a public park in the city of Laguna. On vacation, I enjoy finding quaint bookstores, little free libraries and great places to perch with a book. We ran across the stunning setting when we were out exploring. The trails and walkways lead to the beach and water, and they are full of beautiful landscaping and some fun wildlife. From here, we saw seals and several kinds of birds. I could definitely spend some time curled up with a book and beverage! Where’s the best book bench you’ve ever discovered?

I am often out and about in Kansas City between one meeting and another with time to spare. In these down times, I try to find somewhere to sit comfortably and maybe get a little writing done. Coffee shops are fine for this, but I don’t always want to add more caffeine to my diet. At those times, I choose to sit in a library. There are several branches of the Mid-Continent Public Library in my traffic pattern. My latest find has been the Green Hills Branch of the MCPL system. The Green Hills Branch opened in 2022, and it’s

Continue reading Green Hills Library Branch