Author Archives: dirtynailz

I really, really hate ticks. Here in Rhode Island, there are several species of ticks, the best known of which is probably the nasty little black legged, or deer tick, that transmits Lyme Disease. June, the most dangerous time of … Continue reading →

Allow me to introduce the newest member of our family. This is “Fidgit,” a two-year-old Welsh Pembroke corgi. (The breeder’s name, not ours. Oh and she also has one of those long official kennel names, but we’ll never use that.) … Continue reading →

As I was walking and driving around our neighborhood this week,  I was struck by the stunning display of the magnolias.  Once again, I snapped these quickly with my iPod. No time to run home and grab my camera. This … Continue reading →

There it is, right beside the flats of pansies. The arsenal of chemicals that home gardeners will unleash on the environment. I love those “Wild West” themed commercials that make spraying your dandelions the manly thing to do. The man … Continue reading →

A few weeks ago, I wrote about how a red squirrel adapted to the giant earth mover that’s been marring what little remains of our view since before Christmas. He or she doesn’t hang around here during the summer, but … Continue reading →

Last weekend, my friend and I hiked the Tuckerman Ravine trail on Mt. Washington, (in the state of New Hampshire for readers who are outside the US). We were blessed with perfect weather, albeit wintry. There was complete snow cover, … Continue reading →

Here’s HerbDoc with some garden tool chat: Before I run outside to the garden and get them all dirty, here are two of the several tools that I couldn’t resist ordering after a late winter presentation on hand tools. The … Continue reading →

This is such a common sight, it’s almost a part of our modern landscape. This wayward bag is in our neighbor’s crabapple tree. We are so close to the water that it could easily blow into the salt pond and … Continue reading →

The phalaenopsis in the above photo is one of my favorites. I don’t know its name, but it was given to me by a Master Gardener friend named Earl, so that what I call it. Before I dash out the … Continue reading →

Please forgive me if I have been remiss in posting this week. My beloved companion, Geneva, died a few days ago, just days before her 17th birthday. I am dedicating this post to the Best Dog Ever, my irreplaceable canine … Continue reading →