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Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Fond Memories of Alaska

I've been home for about a month now, after my six-week trip to Alaska to visit my mom, dad, and brother. It's always nice to get back to your own home and garden, but I have so many wonderful memories of my time in Juneau, Alaska. I enjoyed being in nature, watching the slow spring emerge, spending time with my family, participating in activities, enjoying the spirit of the place, and renewing childhood friendships. Here are a few shots from my visit.


Chilkat Mountain Range


I'm continually captivated by the Chilkat Mountain Range, which is visible from my folks' front porch, from Douglas Island, out the road, and from the sea. The mountain range seemed especially big and grand and magical this year, possibly because the tops were still snow covered. The mountains are almost shape shifters, changing their appearance when seen from different vantage points and in different weather conditions.


Chilkat Range from Caroline's Point

Chilkat Range from Sunshine Cove


It is always a treat to hang out with Alaskans. They are a can-do, hardy lot, and passionate about the outdoors. If the sun comes out, they drop everything to get out in it. (And really, if it's raining they are probably out in it anyway and enjoying themselves)! I had so many wonderful outings with my brother and mom, and enjoyed reconnecting with several childhood chums. 


Hiking on the wetlands with brother Dave

Hiking and birding with Ulla and friends

Photographing lichen with Dave

Childhood chum, Ulla, and I holding the cakes


Alaskans also appreciate the arts and culture, and support both outside and local talent. During the visit, we took in events at the Jazz and Classics Festival, TrollFest, Mother's Day at the Jensen-Olson Arboretum, a couple of True Crime talks by local reporters, piano performances at the Pioneer Home, and an Audubon cruise. These events are often followed by a meal at a favorite restaurant, with lots of conversation and opinions.


Tom Locher on piano at the Jensen-Olson Arboretum

Bear claw - indigenous art on native land

TJ on Piano is a big hit at the Pioneer Home


It was also a treat to be back in my childhood home, which Mom and Dad built over the years as the family grew and we needed more room. The house is snug and comfortable, and filled with wonderful history, memories, and craftsmanship.


My childhood home (with spring grass just starting to grow)

Dad has the best workshop

The view from my old room


Finally, there is that view of the Chilkat Mountain Range from my folks' place. The view changes continually with the weather, the seasons, and the time of day, so it never gets old.


View of the Chilkats


Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Field Notes for June 2025

 Welcome back to Field Notes!


June 1, 2025

After six weeks in Alaska, I'm back in our landscape and it is beautiful! Lots of perennial and annual flowers are in bloom. Many plants are establishing themselves (second year "creep"). Native bees and hummingbirds are visiting the flowers and loving it. Birds are foraging for grass seeds on the ground, as well as eating at the Bird Buddy feeder.


Flowers in the rock garden are thriving

Perennials and annuals bloom by the front path


June 3, 2025

Admittedly, there is a lot of weeding and grooming to be done in the landscape. Some of the grasses have already gone to seed and turned golden brown. The planting beds, on close inspection, are a wild tangle of perennials, annuals, and some invasive weeds and vines. Weeds have popped up in the paths that wind through the property (zoom in on the photo to see the weeds that have cropped up since I left for Alaska in April). It's taking me awhile to sort it all out!


The path to the lower yard is filled with weeds

Weeds are also lurking in the wild tangle of plants


June 6, 2025

This year's crop of baby birds has been feeding at the Bird Buddy feeder. You can tell them by their  diminutive size and the occasional bit of down mixed in with their feathers. The neighborhood cats have taken notice, so I shoo them away whenever I see them.

 

Several of this year's baby birds

June 9, 2025

Sunday at the Farmer's Market in Montclair Village! This time I picked up peaches and blueberries for fresh fruit desserts, greens for salads, and stir fry veggies for a chicken stir fry with udon noodles. The creative juices start to flow when seeing all that delicious produce, and it's fun to interact with the growers in their booths.


Enticing booths at the Montclair Farmer's Market on Sundays

Fresh vegetables ready to become masterpieces

Fresh produce for the week


Here in the Bay Area, we have many Farmers' Markets available through the Pacific Coast Farmer's Market Association (PCFMA) and the Urban Village Farmers Market Association (UVFMA). See you there!


June 12, 2025

I'm in the midst of learning about heucheras, because my Heuchera maximas are a hot mess! Those in the front planter seem to be growing out of control, and the leaves are covered with some kind of damage. Research indicates it could be caused by a leaf fungus or rust, possibly caused by over crowding or poor drainage. Organic methods are available for controlling leaf damage, but I suspect the plants need to be thinned for better airflow.


Heuchera with dead or necrotic leaves


I started by trimming damaged leaves from several heucheras. With the leaves cleared away, I got a better glimpse of how the plant grows. An above-ground stem spreads out from a central root and produces leaves. A week after thinning several plants, new leaves have started to emerge.


New leaves from the above-ground stem

I also learned that for ongoing maintenance, the roots need to be thinned every 2-5 years. The stems can be potted in soil to root new heuchera plants. The spent leaves can be cleaned up in spring or fall. I also learned that "Alum root" is one of the common names for heuchera, because the root can be used like alum as a mordant for dyeing fabric.

                                  

June 14, 2025

Sometimes in the garden of life, you have to take action. You might need to pull weeds, manage pests, trim a plant that has grown out of scale, or remove a tree that has become diseased. Today my husband and I exercised our first amendment right to free speech by joining the No Kings Protest in Oakland. It was a non-violent, family-friendly march through downtown Oakland to speak out about overreach and threats to our constitution and democracy.


No kings in our garden


The crowd was estimated to be about 10,000 strong, and as diverse as our nation. Families with children, gray haired seniors, teens and college kids, First Nations people, immigrants from around the globe (recent as well as descendants of the Pilgrims), LGBTQ+ community, veterans, labor and workers of all types (including those struggling to find work). Real Americans, exercising their rights and doing their duty to protect them.


Signs of the times

March down Broadway in Oakland, CA


June 18, 2025

I recently read Forgotten Murders from Alaska's Capital, by Betsy Longenbaugh (Epicenter Press, Washington, 2022). Longenbaugh describes ten murders from the first half of the 20th century, which occurred when Alaska was still a territory or on the cusp of statehood (January 3, 1959). The book is well researched and the stories well told, providing a glimpse into the people drawn to early Alaska. True crime isn't for everyone, but I found the stories and people quite fascinating, and appreciated Longenbaugh's empathy for the victims and their families.



Former Juneau criminal reporters Betsy Longenbaugh and Ed Schoenfeld give "Death with Dessert" presentations in Juneau throughout the year, and walking tours in the summer. 


June 20, 2025 🌷

Today is the summer solstice, and the longest day of the year! Soak in the sun (or whatever weather comes your way), and enjoy the long days of the new season!


June 23, 2025

According to the Audubon Society, California is one of the most diverse birding states in the country, and home to nearly two-thirds of all North American bird species. Over 600 bird species have been recorded in the state, and 450 of them are commonly observed. California is also home to 175 Important Bird Areas (IBAs); one of only 36 Global Biodiversity Hotspots; and a critical link along the Pacific Flyway—a migration route used by millions of birds each year.


California Towhee (Melozone crissalis) at the feeder


The Audubon Birds of California website is a great resource for birders in California. Some of my favorites include:

  • Bird Friendly Native Plants - find native plants that attract and benefit birds in your zip code. Create a bird-friendly habitat right in your own back yard.




Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Dye Project: Pyracantha

I tried a solar dyeing project using berries collected from the Pyracantha or Scarlet Firethorns  (Pyracantha coccinea) in the lower yard. The pomes have an orange-red skin with yellow flesh surrounding the seed; ripen in the fall; and are eaten by birds. Pyracantha originated in Spain and is considered invasive in California, but has grown on our property for decades. The pomes germinate after winter rains, and the seedlings wither and die with summer heat. Note that there is a native version that grows in Southeast Alaska and Western Canada.


Solar dyeing with Pyracantha pomes - day 1


I harvested 598 grams (21.1 ounces, or 4 cups) of pomes for the project, and then rinsed them in water to remove dust and small insects.


Pyracantha pomes


For this project, I used two cotton dish towels that had been prepared as described in Preparing your Fabric (Scour, Mordant, Brighten or Sadden). The towels had been scouredmordanted with oak gallnut extract, and brightened with alum and soda ash.  The weight of fabric (WOF) was 154 grams, or 5.4 ounces. The WOF% was 388% for the 598 grams of pomes. Dyers typically recommend equal weights of fabric and plant material for solar dyeing (or double the weight for berries), so we're well over that. I added three teaspoons of alum and boiling water to the jar, and then layered pomes and dishtowels and topped off the jar with more boiling water. Optionally you can test the pH of the dye bath (mine had a pH of 2, which is quite acidic).


Dyeing with Pyracantha pomes - day 14


I steeped the dishtowels in the pyracantha dye bath for two weeks, making sure to rock and rotate the jar daily to distribute dye and pomes evenly.


Lovely raspberry pink color after squeezing out excess dye

A pale blue color emerged after rinsing the fabric


As with previous solar dyeing projects, I squeezed out excess dye and rinsed the fabric. Initially, the color was a lovely raspberry pink, but after I had rinsed the fabric thoroughly, the color changed to a very pale blue! 

After waiting two weeks to help set the dye, I washed the fabric with a mild textile soap (like Synthropol or Professional Textile Detergent) and hung it to to dry. The result was a light shade of blue, which has continued to lighten over the weeks to a pale grayish-yellow. This not not surprising since berry-based dyes are not colorfast and are known to fade quickly over time.