Category Archives: A Closer Look

Spring Unfurls

Posted on April 17, 2015 by Faith Renfield

It’s easy to dismiss the quiet wonder of spring, the shy unrolling of a fern frond or a thickly bunched rose leaf bursting from a hard brown stem. Hidden among the dead brown of winter’s remains, the jeweled chalice of … Continue reading →

Posted in A Closer Look, Gardening | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

365

Posted on February 21, 2015 by Faith Renfield

What would you be willing to commit to for a full year? I read an article this week in our local paper about a guy who challenged himself to take a photo of a bird each day for a full … Continue reading →

Posted in A Closer Look, Writer's Life | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

A Year in Photos

Posted on November 22, 2014 by Faith Renfield

Every picture I’ve taken to date in 2014.  From spring tulips to massive spiders hanging from the fence, it’s all here:  Cats, kids, food, even a rare blond raccoon found dead[fourth row from bottom, five shots in] on the street— and … Continue reading →

Posted in A Closer Look, Family Life | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

The Stalwarts

Posted on October 10, 2014 by Faith Renfield

Fierce pansy is no doubt an oxymoron to most. The word pansy, like gay, has been so mowed down by its slang meaning that it can’t be used without evoking sniggering−at least among most American listeners. But take a closer … Continue reading →

Posted in A Closer Look, Gardening | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Looking For a Bargain?

Posted on September 12, 2014 by Faith Renfield

  Sometimes in the quest for the new, gardeners rush right past the old reliables and miss a hidden gem. I find these lovely, intricate nasturtium blooms anything but ordinary. Add in their sunny nature and desire to bloom their … Continue reading →

Posted in A Closer Look, Frugal gardening, Gardening | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fire and Ice

Posted on September 3, 2014 by Faith Renfield

If you’re looking for two shrubs with highly contrasting foliage and blooms, it would seem they don’t get much more opposite than a Smokebush (cotinus coggygria) and a hydrangea. (This one is Twist ‘n’ Shout.) Yet a closer look reveals … Continue reading →

Posted in A Closer Look, Gardening | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hidden Treasures

Posted on July 19, 2014 by Faith Renfield

Tree frogs are really good at hiding. I must have passed by this tiny guy ten times while I was gardening yesterday and I never noticed him.  I only saw him when I bent down to rearrange another plant in … Continue reading →

Posted in A Closer Look, Nature | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Come Into My Parlor

Posted on June 24, 2014 by Faith Renfield

This greeted me when I went out to the side yard this morning. The web is probably six feet across, likely the work of an orb spider. I didn’t see her, though, so I don’t know what kind.  It’s so … Continue reading →

Posted in A Closer Look, Following your Dream, Nature | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

An Unexpected Garden Visitor

Posted on June 7, 2014 by Faith Renfield

We enjoyed a visit from a Painted Turtle yesterday. She was likely looking for a place to lay some eggs. Last year we had a snapping turtle nest, but this was the first time we had a painted turtle rustling … Continue reading →

Posted in A Closer Look, Gardening | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

All Wet

Posted on June 2, 2014 by Faith Renfield

More than 3 inches of rain fell over the weekend.  Wet makes working in the garden a real mess. But wet can also make things pretty. These dianthus blooms just weep pink, don’t you think? And wet creates patterns you’d … Continue reading →

Posted in A Closer Look, Gardening | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment