Columns

Fake News.
The media lies.
The media is the Enemy of the State.
The media’s War on Truth.
They sound like dystopian movie titles. But they are actually some of the rage coming at us from all sides. And, especially from our newly elected president and his White House.
Seriously?
Seriously.
The irony of the statements is so thick, it is almost impossible to fathom. Yet, let us try…

A healthy fruit crop from your favorite fruit tree can dramatically increase with some late winter attention.  Pruning is key to healthy fruit trees and fruit production.
You can prune any time after the threat of harsh winter weather is over until just before the tree is in full bloom.  Prune out any winter damage, branches that grow inward and crowded limbs.

It is that time of year again and I am reminded because of the smell and road kill left behind. Plus, a strong scent of skunk has been lingering in the pasture this past week; and I got an Instagram video from my niece as she was clearly backing away from a lumbering black and white rodent down by the river!  
We used to get them circling the house on winter evenings but our livestock guardian dogs’ presence has kept them from bay the last few years.  Their presence is not surprising, however, because it is mating season for skunks and they are on the move!

There is something about working in the garden on a sunny winter day:  it clears debris from both the perennial bed and the gardener’s head.   There is clarity to the winter landscape that is quite different than any other season.  On a clear day, the sky is a true blue, you can see all the birds flitting about the leafless trees.