Monthly Archives: November 2014

Christmas is a patient holiday, while waiting for daffodils Nov. 26, 2014

Author: Heather Hacking Theoretically, “black Friday” is the official kick-off for the holiday shopping season. I don’t know who anyone thinks they are kidding. For weeks my Costco shopping experience has included a walk past the $70 ceramic bear holding … Continue reading

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Greywater for plants, finding a neutral solution, Nov. 6, 2014

Did I kill my Daphne odoro, my luscious, variegated daphne that has bloomed fragrantly every Valentine’s Day for years? Hint to whoever loves me: a new Daphne odoro (preferably the kind with variegated leaves) would be a superb choice for … Continue reading

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When in drought, grow peaches, August 21, 2014

Author: Heather Hacking hhacking@chicoer.com @HeatherHacking on Twitter Life is not the way it looks in the magazines. If it was, all women would have flawless skin. Views from hotel rooms would be perpetually backlit by sunsets. If real life was … Continue reading

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Loss in the yard: one kitty and four hornworm pupa No.v. 13, 2014

By Heather Hacking, Chico Enterprise-Record The good ones are usually taken. I wrote a note on a kitty collar, hoping no one would respond. Heather Hacking — Enterprise-Record My hopes for a new addition to the family have been officially … Continue reading

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Drought brings new discoveries of flowers that unfurl, August 14, 2014

Author: Heather Hacking hhacking@chicoer.com @HeatherHacking on Twitter If I was an entrepreneur instead of a writer, this drought would have me dreaming up new, undeniably necessary products for gardeners who are struggling through dry times. Perhaps I would open a … Continue reading

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Thank goodness for mothers and Mother Nature August 7, 2014

Author: Heather Hacking hhacking@chicoer.com @HeatherHacking on Twitter If my mother was digitalized by Disney animators, she would be one of the good fairies. They would paint her with rosy cheeks and wearing a billowy skirt in a primary color. Her … Continue reading

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Ready for drought, cactus gardens get right to the point July 31, 2014

Author: Heather Hacking hhacking@chicoer.com @HeatherHacking on Twitter We’re in a drought. I just moved. My new house has a terrible, messy mimosa tree as a primary feature. Maybe I’ll focus on cactus gardening. A reader named Don Rostimo called a … Continue reading

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Perhaps my old home attracts gardeners July 24, 2014

Life is not quite settled at the new abode, but I can already feel that the change will be good. The paint is fresh. One truckload for donations, another truckload to the dump. I dusted each old household item before … Continue reading

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A long, drawn out move next door 7-17-14

By Heather Hacking 07/17/2014 My stashed and saved treasures of 45 years have been sorted and stacked, shifted and shoved. Last week I spent every non-work hour cleaning the inside of the old house and this week I will focus … Continue reading

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