Essays
& Articles

Here are PDFs of some essays about those times when the personal becomes universal.  And hotlinks and PDFs to a sampling of articles and commentary on travel, gardening, audiobooks, and other oddments.

ESSAYS

 
Featured
My Mother's Brain
My Mother's Brain

Even the new nightgown couldn't keep her safe. (Honorable Mention, Writer's Digest Competition, 2007).

Learning the Language of Travel
Learning the Language of Travel

In a world where they don't all speak your language. (National Geographic Traveler)

Strangers in the House
Strangers in the House

When you trade houses, do they peek into your underwear drawer? (Budget Travel, Sept 2002)

Virtual Privacy
Virtual Privacy

What are the neighbors staring at? (The American Gardener, July/Aug 2002)

When Nowhere is the Place to Be
When Nowhere is the Place to Be

A family that vacations together... (New York Times, April 15, 2001)

The Yield of Purple Podded Peas
The Yield of Purple Podded Peas

What father-daughter garden talk is really about. (Fine Gardening, Nov/Dec 2000)

Learning That Plans are Made to Be Scrapped
Learning That Plans are Made to Be Scrapped

Just because you scheduled it doesn't mean you have to do it. (New York Times, July 16, 2000)

The Fall
The Fall

Thoughts that go bump in the night. (Writer's Digest Grand Prize winner, 1995)

Final Harvest
Final Harvest

End of season satisfactions. (National Gardener, Nov/Dec 1992)

ARTICLES & COMMENTARY

 
Featured
Peony Pride
Peony Pride

A Bangor couple leans into the fragrant spring bloomer. (Down East Magazine, May 2023)

Pollinator Haven
Pollinator Haven

A naturalistic garden is a haven for all. (Maine Homes by Down East, Fall 2023)

Dahlia Mania
Dahlia Mania

A West Bath grower cedes her yard to dozens of dahlias. (Down East Magazine, September 2023)

Upton Sinclair for the 21st Century
Upton Sinclair for the 21st Century

Muckraking journalist Upton Sinclair made America safer and fairer. We need him again. (AudioFile Magazine, May/June 2022)

Wonderland
Wonderland

A former nursery owner’s private garden canvas. (Maine Homes, Spring 2022)

Artist's Retreat
Artist's Retreat

A watercolorist plants a garden worth painting. (Down East Magazine, August 2021)

Labor of Love
Labor of Love

Passersby thank them for their garden oasis. (Down East Magazine, June 2021)

Breathing Rooms
Breathing Rooms

A second generation gardener’s gift to her community. (Maine Homes, Spring 2021)

Field Days
Field Days

Native plants restore a garden ravished by invasive weeds. (Maine Homes, July 2020)

A Slice of Country
A Slice of Country

On a city street, a flower dotted meadow is an unexpected delight. (Down East Magazine, May 2020)

My Man Sherlock
My Man Sherlock

Sherlock Holmes has my heart and ears. AudioFile Magazine, October/November 2017)

A Bountiful Harvest
A Bountiful Harvest

Foraging for food along the trail. Portland Trails Blog, October 2017)

Writers on Writing
Writers on Writing

What's the link between Stephen King and Annie Lamott? (AudioFile Magazine Blog, April 5, 2017)

Sweet Smell of Success
Sweet Smell of Success

Organic bouquets and free-range eggs. (Down East, July 2003)

Low Country Cruising in East Anglia
Low Country Cruising in East Anglia

The English Broads - lakes, not women. (New York Times, May 4, 2003)

Small Kansas Towns with a Big Impact
Small Kansas Towns with a Big Impact

Driving blue highways across southern Kansas leads to Oz. (NYT, Oct 13, 2002)

Master Gardeners
Master Gardeners

Hard - diagnosing tomato blight. Harder - diagnosing someone else's tomato blight. (Fine Gardening, July/Aug 2002)

Belgian Endive: Force Yourself Some Culinary Luxury
Belgian Endive: Force Yourself Some Culinary Luxury

Endive in the closet anyone? (Kitchen Garden, Dec/Jan 1999)

The Quilting Scraps and Stories of Erlinda Gonzales
The Quilting Scraps and Stories of Erlinda Gonzales

In northern New Mexico, even your husband's old t-shirts can be repurposed. (Piecework, March/April 1997)

Saving the Land
Saving the Land

Locals get together to preserve rural America. (Country Journal, November/December 1996)

Midwives Deliver
Midwives Deliver

Water-baths and home delivery in Taos, New Mexico. (Country Journal, January/February 1995)