Before the borders of modern Europe hardened into lines of power stretching across the Pyrenees, the Basque people lived with a quieter kind of authority—rooted in land, language, and community. Since the Middle Ages, they governed themselves through local councils that gathered beneath the great oak of Guernica. That tree was more than a landmark; it was a living symbol of continuity. Its branches offered shelter, its trunk a place of assembly, and its roots a reminder that identity, like nature, is sustained through interdependence and preservation.
Tag: Inspiration
Shores of Lake Maggiore, View From Villa Aminta
I have a fantasy, and you won’t be surprised that it involves gardens. My fantasy is to return each September to the shores of Lake Maggiore.
I will sit on the terrace of Villa Aminta, and enjoy my breakfast while I look out over the Borromeo islands of Isola Bella and Isola Madre.
Spring Fever in My Garden
There is so much happening in the world today. I’m having a hard time focusing on writing about the beautiful Italian Gardens I visited this past Fall. The flashes of Italian splendor shown during the winter Olympics so near Lake Como would make this a perfect time to share some of the great beauty to be found there in a different season. But it just isn’t happening in my storytelling brain right now.
Here’s a peek at what I promise will come.
In truth, I have been spending every free moment in my own garden. February is Spring in my AZ garden. Its also my birthday month, Valentine’s Day, and a month filled with family memories.
One step at a time into the new year
Stairs are intentionally designed to connect one level to another, yet they hold a kind of magic. Depending on where you are, you might be ascending toward an extraordinary view or
In Latvian, Laipni lugti “You are Welcome”
If you are wondering where I wandered off to, I’ve been busy noticing all the non-garden things happening in the world. I began to doubt the need for garden stories. Then I had lunch with dear friends in our garden, and they urged me to rethink that idea. Now, maybe more than ever, we all need to be reminded of the beautiful green magic moments in the world. In 2025, I had innumerable such moments. Traveling by air, coach, river boat, ocean ship, ferry, bus, rental car, tram and foot we visited gardens in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Estonia, Serbia, Croatia, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Poland, Germany, Austria, Belgium, and England. Oh, and I visited gardens in southern Indiana while on a speaking tour. This travel kept us packing and unpacking for four months, and when we arrived home, we were a bit dazed.
Looking Up in Madrid & Portugal
It’s early fall in Spain & Portugal, the grape leaves are beginning to turn stripey red, the flowers are past their prime, but everywhere I look, something marvelous is in view. In Portugal, along the Douro River, terraced vineyards cover the hills. Olive trees grow in a line marking a border from the top of the rolling hills down to the river.
An Artist’s Legacy Creates Art in A Garden
The most beautiful garden space I experienced during my recent travels was in West Dean Gardens, on the Isle of Wight. (just off the coast of southern England) It was such a stunning combination of flowers, vines, and fruits everywhere I walked. I spun around in circles trying to take it all in.
Travel Moments in Summer Gardens
Traveling is a major part of my summer this year, and exploring gardens is a big part of these adventures. It isn’t possible to write a story about each one, so I thought I would highlight some notable moments.
The Place, The House & The Gardener
Every garden has a story: where the garden is located, what the architecture of the dwelling reveals about the times and place, and who the gardener was. Visiting the Jim Thompson Garden in Bangkok, Thailand, illustrates this thoroughly.
Low Rider Roses
Imagine my delight when I walked into the Peterson Automotive Museum in downtown LA and discovered 100 roses painted on the Gypsy Rose, the iconic 1964 Chevy Impala customized Low Rider.