BOTH OF MY RECENT BOOKS are now available signed for giving as gifts (or keeping for oneself!), whether sent by Media Mail (a week to 10 days delivery) or Priority Mail (about two business days shipping time). For information about ordering custom-inscribed gift-wrapped copies of “The Backyard Parables” and “And I Shall Have Some Peace There,” go to the shopping cart. Enjoy.
THE LECTURE that he’s been giving for a number of years is not-so-subtly called “Kill Your Lawn.” Ecological horticulturist Dan Jaffe Wilder knows that starting over and creating an entire native habitat instead of a lawn isn’t for everyone. But Dan just wants to grab our attention and get us to start to make some changes at least in the way we care for the turfgrass we do want in our landscapes. And maybe give up a little square footage of it to some other kind of more diverse planting, too, like the wild strawberries (Fragaria virginiana, inset). Alternative, more eco-focused styles of lawn care, along with some lawn alternatives is what he and I talked about on the podcast. Dan is Director of Applied Ecology at Norcross Wildlife Foundation in Wales, Massachusetts, and its 8,000-acre sanctuary. He’s also co-author with Mark Richardson of the book “Native Plants for New England Gardens.”
(Stream it below, read the illustrated transcript or subscribe free.)
I just finished this book. Loved it! I would read a couple chapters e/other day. It was like a visit from Margaret herself. It kept me going through the cold winter. And welcomed me into spring. Good book. I recommend it. In fact just bought it and strolled into a coffee shop where there the owner of the shop was curious about the read? I told her to skip next door to the bookshop and get one too. Im sure she enjoyed it just as much. Kindred spirits that we are. Happy reading and gardening.
Thanks, Colleen, and welcome. How nice of you to come armed with such kind words. :) And thank you for spreading the word. Big help!
I have just ordered a copy of your book for my Mom for Mother’s Day! She is a lover of all gardens and plants and has taught me so much about loving the earth from the time I was a little girl. I print articles from your site for her since she does not use a computer, including Andre’s doodles!
Thanks so much for offering a signed book~ She will just love it so much!
Kate Clancy
Thank you, Kate. How sweet! Glad you like my pal Andre, too. Not sure where I’d be without his wacky humor to keep me company some weeks! Hope your mother likes the book.
Thank you Margaret for such an inspiring story. You are truly gifted. I have “attempted” to leave the fast track a few times over the last several years, only to be drawn back – not for further financial gain…but rather to give of myself “just one last time” (at least that’s what I keep saying). The funny thing is, I never imagined or even dreamed of being an executive 30 years ago. It just crept up on me. I have no regrets, and so many wonderful experiences to be grateful for. However, I’ve been asking the same question: “Who am I if not…?” I continue the search in my weekend retreat far away from the daily race. I’m grateful for the inside scoop – it’s given me some motivation to take the leap. Also – I have had the WBY poem hanging in my office for years. I ponder it often. I believe I shall take it off the wall soon…and shall find some peace “there” as well. Oh, and I’m going to buy some garlic tomorrow and plant it in my empty greenhouse that’s waiting for me!!
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!
Welcome, Kate. So nice to “meet” you and I do so well understand about feeling like there is “one more time” for us to be there for a circumstance, person, project…I do. Wonderful to learn that you have had the poem on your wall, too — birds of a feather, eh? :) See you soon.
Hey Margaret! What a wholesome lifestyle, that of a gardener. I wish to be know one else.
Plus, your book has one kick-ass soundtrack!
Nice to “meet” you, Sarah, and thanks for the kind words. Glad you enjoyed the soundtrack; hope you will enjoy the book perhaps too. :)
You go girlie! Have you thought about making it available as a audio book? I think it would be a hit that way as well. As many are traveling back and forth everyday in the car thinking “I should just leave this mess!” Just a thought… :)
Thanks, Mary, for the encouragement. I do hope the publisher will have me record an audio version — fingers crossed.
Just a quick note to say I loved reading both of your books. In your book, I Shall Some Peace There I could relate to so many of aspects of your life— it was like reading about myself. Right now I am working in the corporate world of finance during the day but retreat to my 17c home at night and on the weekends. They are worlds apart from each other and some day in the future I hope to retire from the corporate world. Again thanks for your honesty—it’s refreashing. Take care, Patricia
You are so welcome, Patricia, and how nice of you to come say so and give me a little of your story. Your house makes mine sound positively modern! :) May your dream of the one life there come true.