The sundrops in my garden are originally from my grandma. She gave them to my mom when my parents bought their house and my mom…
Hardening Off
Day One: One hour in the sun, two hours in the shade. Day Two: Two hours in the sun, three hours in the shade. Day…
Normal
Give me slugs, give me aphids, give me earwigs to battle silently in my backyard. My backyard, where plants will still bloom despite pests and…
Rainy Days
It is raining. The rain barrel where some of my snapdragons are planted is overflowing, gushing into the new plants. I watch from the bathroom…
Ocean
At first I say no. My daughter’s chin juts out defiantly. “Please mom,” she says. My son looks at me, hopeful. “Please, please,” he says.…
The Tulips in Washington Park
Albany is known for its tulips but I can’t grow them. Every fall I plant bulbs with the hope that there will be spring blooms…
Starting Seeds
I think I’m supposed to like starting seeds. I think I’m supposed to enjoy feeling the soil in my hands, the seeds tiny specks of…
April Snow
It is snowing in mid-April. The kids are home and it is eleven o’clock. We are all still in our pajamas. I warm up some…
Mom’s Building
“I see Mom’s building!” my son shouts. I peer out the car window and there it is. It’s easy to spot, a bookend on the…