This winter I decided to try out winter sowing. It is a technique where you plant seeds in milk jugs and leave them outside during the winter months. I went to a class on winter sowing at my community garden, but, true to my procrastinating habits, I am just g...
No one is up yet at my daughter’s house, except for me. I cherish this time alone, especially because this is a snow day. It is still dark and there is snow on the ground and plenty of wind. I just finished folding my granddaughter’s hearts. When she...
I was happy just to finish 2016. It was a difficult year in so many ways and I feel that most people probably agree. I cannot change the things that have made this year so hard, but I can look to my own habits and try to change myself to reduce...
As some of you know, I make the month of November a whole month of Thanksgiving. I encourage you, too, to extend the holiday throughout the month by expressing gratitude for the people who have made your life richer. I talk to people, send notes through...
This has been a very stressful time in the garden. It seems that our community garden has been overrun with voles. You may not have ever seen a vole, a rodent a little larger than a field mouse, but I have seen more than my share from babies to fully...
This morning I woke up to dark skies and rain. It is the kind of day that you just want to stay in bed under the covers. I love this kind of day, as long as it is not an everyday event. After a summer of being outside gardening and walking, I welcome a day to st...
I learned to knit when I was in high school. I have knit many sweaters, scarves, hats, mittens, and throws. I used a variety of yarn and types of stitches, but I knew something was not quite right. I could follow patterns and graphs, but I found that I had to change...
Years ago, when I first joined NJAKE, I felt isolated teaching the only kindergarten in the school. I needed someone to talk to about my classroom who understood the problems that popped up and who also shared my excitement over what I call “The kindergarten aha,” the...
There is only one week left in July. As a gardener, I love the thought of August with the bounty of tomatoes and corn that really speak to me of summer. On the other hand, August means school is not far behind. I always feel an...
I know summer has officially started almost 2 weeks ago, but to me it really begins after the Fourth of July. I say that because it is the time I finally get to do something for myself. After school was out I needed a couple of weeks to feel human again...
