Reflections on 2025

Farewell, 2025! It's been a busy year for plants, gardening, the great outdoors, family and friends, traveling, and the pleasures of life and retirement (despite the continual assault of horrifying news articles and dishonorable world events).

Our theme for Eden By The Bay this year has been "Ethnobotany and Dyeing with Plants". Since ethnobotany is such a broad topic, I focused on the plants used for dyeing by three specific people groups—Tlingit and Chimmesyan/Tsimshian (Alaska coast and Canada interior); Ohlone/Costanoan (Northern California); and Polynesian/Pacific Islander (Hawaii). As I progressed in my research, I expanded my vision to include dyeing and decorating baskets and other objects, in addition to fibers. I also realized that in past years my perspective has been on the plant explorers who were learning about dye plants from the people they encountered, rather than on the people who were already using them. Throughout the year I experimented with a few more dye projects, with blackberry cane and leaves producing the best color.

Clockwise: Ethnobotany and dyeing
Experiencing nature with family and friends
Exploring the world together
Learning to tend the garden

I spent a lot of time in our renovated garden this year learning about the plants, their seasonal cycles, and the wildlife they attract. I also enjoyed getting out in nature in the company of Mari, Gaymond (and Jayden in the summer), and the Over-the-Hills-Gang hiking group. Together we explored many of the parks and ecosystems of the East Bay Regional park system (and found some delicious lunch places). My husband and I traveled to Mesa Verde National Park in the fall and learned more about the geology and plants of the Great Basin. We welcomed Bobo the Husky to our home in October, kicking off the many pleasures and challenges of inter-species relationships. In December, I lost my Dad, who has been my inspiration for plants, nature, and the great outdoors.

We also continued to experiment with the monthly "Field Notes" format for reporting observations and projects throughout the month. We learned about two plant hunters in Western United States; and watched some movies. It's been a year of growth, beauty, pain, and joy, and I'm grateful to have you on the journey with me!