The Characters and Their Music in The Forgetting Flower, Part 1
I have always loved music. When I was little, I loved pop music for its catchy hooks. Then when I was a teenager, I loved rock music for its cool riffs. As a young adult, I was into alternative before my love later deepened into jazz and classical music. I was a musician myself for a while (drummer) and worked as a music editor. So, I guess it’s no surprise that as I wrote my novel, I unconsciously included music in The Forgetting Flower. It appears on the first page and then several times throughout the narrative until the final…
How to Get Your Free Wildflower Seeds
Good morning, all! I’ve finished the form for those who preordered The Forgetting Flower. The packets of wildflower seeds are ready! These organic, non-GMO seeds, from the reputable Renee’s Garden, will go to the first 25 people who preorder. And by the way, I’ll be sending the seeds right away. You don’t have to wait until June when the book’s released. You can plant the seeds easily in your backyard or in a container. They will form a beautiful riot of color and bloom at varying times. Here’s a list of the seeds you’ll get: Ammi majus, Bishop’s Weed Calendula…
What Does The Forgetting Flower Look Like?
Good morning, everyone! I’m thrilled to answer the question of what The Forgetting Flower looks like! And in more ways than one. The cover of the novel is now live and it’s a dream come true. In some ways, I can’t believe it’s actually happening. You can see what the book looks like and also what the flower might resemble. I don’t want to give too much away but the flower is part African violet. I love the dark background as if the flower is hidden away. And the scent streaming from the blossom? Well, it’s not anything you’d want…
What You Can Do to Prevent Bee Collapse
Years ago, I was trimming English lavender at a client’s house in Seattle. It was a sunny summer day, the kind of day for which I was thankful to work as a gardener. As the sun warmed my arms, I cut the fragrant stems with my pruners, shifting my kneepad a few inches at a time. The bees hovered and landed on the still-blooming wands, doing their little jobs of finding nectar. But as I piled my cut wands on my tarp, I noticed one bee struggled in the dirt, trying to buzz and lift off. To Save a Single…
In Search of the Perfect Street in Paris
One of the most beautiful features of Paris is its streets. I love the ornate buildings, I love the beautiful landmarks, I love the stately cathedrals, but I also love the streets. They are cobbled unevenly, smoothly paved, or somewhere in between, geometrically decorated with modern pavers. They are grand like the Haussmann-designed boulevards and averagely wide like the Rue Milton or narrow like the Rue de Nancy. They each have their own little personality in the decorative facades or foliage or parking or modern features. My favorite streets are the tiny pedestrian alleys where you can cut through quietly…
A Hidden Garden in Paris Waiting to Be Discovered
In Paris, there are plenty of grand gardens to visit: Jardin des Plantes, Jardin du Luxembourg, the Tuileries to name a few. But there are also small gardens that offer a respite from the city. One such garden is the Square Boucicaut in the 7th arrondissement. It’s notable not only for its wonderfully central location near Saint-Germain-des-Prés but also for its unexpected plant specimens. First off, dozens of different trees fill this park. Of note are the warmer weather ones. Being in Zone 8, Paris’s climate can support trees that are often associated with tropical places but in species that…
7 Ways to Get Creative When You’re Not in the Mood
Any artist has experienced this: you finally get an afternoon to yourself where life is free of distractions, kids, responsibilities, chores, etc. You have a long stretch of time to create something new. It’s a time where you can relax and enter a silent space to produce a work of art, whether it be painting, knitting, jewelry, etc. The idea of it is exciting. You may even look forward to it, can’t wait for it, in fact. But then, when the time comes, you’re not in the mood. I’ve experienced this. I’ve blocked off time on my calendar and no…
