Life Style & Travel

UNITED STATES—Mulch was not invented by humans. Most plants make some sort of mulch naturally. Even desert plants that live on bare ground shed foliage that decomposes to be recycled back into the soil, and provide nutrients for the roots below. Redwood, most pines and most eucalyptus are extreme mulchers that generate thick layers of foliar debris that benefit...

UNITED STATES—Hey, did you hear that National Cheesecake day is July 30? Yep, its one of the biggest days for cheesecake lovers around the country, and I can’t believe I’m just learning about this festive holiday. Well, I’ll take that back, I was aware of the holiday last year, but by the time I realized what was transpiring it...

UNITED STATES—So many of the pretty warm season annuals planted last spring are now at their best. Sweet alyssum, lobelia, verbena, moss rose and busy Lizzy never stop blooming, and only get more colorful as they grow through the season until they get replaced by cool season annuals in autumn. (It is unfortunate that busy Lizzy, which had been...

SANDUSKY,OH—There is one place every summer that is an annual trip for the family. We always venture to Sandusky, Ohio to venture to one of the best amusement parks in the world. People are always talking about Disney World, Disney Land, Six Flags and a slew of other amusement parks, but none compare to Cedar Point. This is the place...

UNITED STATES—If may appear selfish, it may appear oblivious to leave everything else and do your breathing and stretching the first thing after getting out of bed. Do it and your body will thank you. Sure, you can splash water on your face. You can go to the bathroom. Then right after that, go into the 20-some minute routine. And...

UNITED STATES—There is someplace in the world for the brethren of each and every houseplant to grow wild. All houseplants do not originate from the same regions, and many were bred in cultivation, but all originate from somewhere. They are houseplants only because they are plants that can live in a house. Most houseplants are from tropical regions, and many...

UNITED STATES—I don’t vacation as much as I like, but as a kid, a staple for our family trips was always the heat of the sunshine state, Florida. I spent so many summer and winter breaks in the state; I vowed never to return anytime soon. Now, that I’m older, I’ve been reflecting back on all the fun that...

UNITED STATES—Lawn is both the most common and the most horticulturally incorrect of landscape features. Not many landscapes lack lawn. After all, it is the most useful part. Yet, with few exceptions, it requires more water and maintenance than anything else, and in most situations, than everything else combined! Other groundcover plants are not nearly so greedy. Some need only...

UNITED STATES—Last week we highlighted Sin City as a great place to vacation. This week we take a look at a city, that is known for baseball, bright lights and being close to the water. Any guesses to what U.S. staple I’m referring to? Well its Chicago, yep the windy city is the perfect place for a quick getaway,...

UNITED STATES—Two substances had starring roles in the life of Spencer Tracy. They were coffee and booze. And there was a third substance, secret and largely unsuspected by the public that always hid in the shadows. Booze, first: Spencer Tracy’s dance with booze is as illustrative as it was destructive and notorious. In James Curtis’ 1001 page biography, published in...