Herb garden results

I transported a new herb garden to camp with good intentions. I thought it could supply a portion of the fresh herbs for the camp kitchen. Yet with little free time in the evening to tend the garden, I barely kept up with watering. Instead, the container garden served as an element of the "front yard" outside our cabin door.

My herb garden weathered the Sierra Nevada well. It will soon return to our Diamond Springs,California, home, where I plan to use the produce for home and camping. All the plants save one (the camellia plant) survived. The chive, rosemary, sage, tarragon and thyme are growing strong. I will soon add basil.

While I believe my idea to grow herbs for the camp kitchen had merit, the garden never produced amounts needed for large quantities of food. Next year I will continue to purchase fresh herbs from our produce purveyor. In addition to cilantro and parsley (curry and flat leaf), the cooks use fresh basil, mint and thyme. Dried herbs stand in for the other herbs.

Sage awaits wonderful fall cuisine when Debbie and I arrive home late next week.

Herb garden at camp

Early last March I set up a herb garden in a metal tub. My thought was to grow some of the common fresh herbs that we use in the camp kitchen. While the garden may not supply sufficient herbs for our larger camps, it'll yield enough for some smaller groups. This year is mainly a test to see if the garden is feasible. If it works out, I'll work on plans for a larger garden next summer.

The Behrens #1 oval 7.5-gallon tub holds a variety of herbs for my summer camp kitchen. Rosemary, chives, tarragon and chamomile make up the backdrop with sage and thyme in front. The portable garden is located adjacent to my cabin. I plan to begin a second garden with basil and oregano (which weren't available locally in early March). I'll purchase parsley and cilantro from the produce purveyor because we use massive quantities.

55 degrees of flowers

55 degrees of flowers
Originally uploaded by SeabeeCook

I had my first encounter with a you-can't-take-pictures-here security guard this two weeks ago. After snapping a series of shots of these flower pots in front of the 55* restaurant at 5th Street and Capitol Mall, Sacramento, the guard came out of the office building and told me I couldn't take pictures.

The guard was a nicely dressed young man. I got the sense that he was sent out by his boss. His instructions were, "I've been told you can't take pictures here."

Most of my discussion centered around commercial vs. private photography. The guard really didn't engage in the conversation, but just repeated his orders. I left at that point and worked my way to the bus stop.

This may be a indication of things to come for armature and professional photographers. While I agree with many precautions that we take to combat terrorism and crime, I think some of our efforts have gone too far.

A Quiet Walk

Two weeks ago during a visit with my father, who isn't doing well, my sister took his grandchildren and great grandchildren on a walk around Lake Oaks Lake. Since the three great grandchildren were my grandchildren, I grabbed the camera and joined in the two-mile trek.

The walk gave the children time to work off energy. And it gave my sister and I some time to reflect on the recent decline in our father's health. In the short span of several months, cancer has robbed dad of his mobility.

It was reminiscent of dozens of walks we've taken around with mom and dad. Since moving to the senior park in 1990, the walks have been an obligatory part of all family gatherings.

As always, we walked south toward the dam and up the east side of the lake. As we walked, I saw father and son fishing partners trolling for bass. It reminded me of those boyhood fishing trips to Hatch Lake in Sierra National Forest.

And toward the north end of the lake, the bright orange asters in the community garden caught my attention. Like dad, they are nearing the end of life on earth. But the vibrant flowers had a few more days to show their colors to all who walk by.

The quiet time togrther gave us time to reflect on dad's life and his contribution to each of our lives.

A Quiet Garden

I found this rustic chair in the restored garden at the Baldwin Estate in South Lake Tahoe. I love the quite solitude that comes from a colorful garden. Somehow, the lush vegetation with the yellow accent from the daisies in the foreground gives me a sence of peace. It's relaxing to read the afternoon away.

Herb Garden

This is my first attempt to plant a herb garden is several years. Instead of using the vegetable garden in the back yard, which is overgrown with weeds, I planted four herbs in a planter on the front porch. Rosemary, cilantro, thyme and Italian parsley will soon be available for the kitchen.