Category Archives: landscape

The First Grapes

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Grape hyacinth: Muscari armeniacum

In the temperate climates of the northern hemisphere, grapes come early—but not that early. They are a sure sign that the lion of March is gone and spring is definitely here. These grapes come March and April.

But in the northern hemisphere, if you are not in a temperate climate, your seasonal clock may be in for a shock as was CJ in the Mediterranean climate of northern Morocco. He tries to come to grips with these shocks in my novel Tangier Gardens. Read a free Amazon sample via a safe, clean, secure and direct link @ https://amzn.to/3HLrtyv

Undeniable Change

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Weather changes.

Climate changes.

Season changes.

Undeniable.

What is change?
Winter changes to spring. And spring is here. Undeniable.

But does human culture change? And if so, how and why? CJ was forced to ask these questions in my novel Tangier Gardens, buy it now @ https://amzn.to/3HLrtyv

Sneaking Up

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What’s that sneaking up on you?

When spring sneaks up—that’s good, it’s beautiful!

Sneaking up on CJ? He thought he knew what to expect—he had been in Morocco once before. But not in Tangier. Find out what snuck up on CJ in Tangier Gardens. Read a free Amazon sample of my novel via a safe, clean, secure and direct link @ https://amzn.to/3HLrtyv

On the way out?

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Or, on the way in?

Winter. Spring.

CJ was trying to graduate but in Tangier Gardens, he didn’t know if he was on the way out or on the way in. Read a free Amazon sample of my novel via a safe, clean, secure and direct link @ https://amzn.to/3HLrtyv

Mysterious Witch…

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Mysterious? What are you talking about?

Background:

I enjoy exploring the details of landscape and gardens. 

Hamamelis mollis = witch hazel is now in bloom everywhere in the colder areas of the northern hemisphere.

Yesterday I was walking outdoors and discovered this Hamamelis mollis hybrid in glorious winter flower. I checked for a scent and enjoyed a light but gently intoxicating fragrance. Hamamelis? Common name = witch hazel.

Why witch and why hazel? Answers online and in books inconclusive and vague. Not a hazel and nothing to do with witches. 

And the fragrance, nobody in the home-grown-health, medical or perfume communities could define or replicate that witch hazel scent. Check it yourself.

So where do I turn? 

I, a novelist, have created a protagonist in my image—obsessed with landscape, gardens and plants. In my novel, Tangier Gardens, the protagonist, CJ, explores in Morocco the landscape of northwest Africa as well as the gardens and plants of Tangier. 

You can sample his story for free @ https://amzn.to/3HLrtyv

Before the snowdrops…

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Snowdrops? You mean snow flakes? No, I mean Galanthus nivalis, snowdrops, the earlist bulb flowers of spring.

Galanthus nivalis–snowdrops

Promises…

Before the snowdrops–the hazelnut promise.

At the same time of the year when we hope for hazelnuts, CJ in Tangier Gardens was enjoying the tangerines, the clementines, his rare relief. Read some of Tangier Gardens for free @ https://amzn.to/3HLrtyv

Yearning for spring are we?
Tangerines and more.

Xmas lingers…

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Christmas doesn’t.

Xmas tree labyrinth–don’t they know it’s February!

I knew a guy once who couldn’t figure out the difference between Christian months and Islamic months–and he damn near lost his life. I wrote a novel about it: Tangier Gardens, try it then buy it @ https://amzn.to/3HLrtyv

Little Sunshine

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Sometimes just a little sunshine is all we need.

When the fog and clouds are getting to be… too much…

That is exactly what happened to CJ in Tangier Gardens, he sought clarity. He needed a little sunshine.

Buy my book @ https://amzn.to/3HLrtyv

Scherenschnitt and Winter

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Winter tree model for paper-cutting, scherenschnitt

Decades in the Arabian Peninsula on the Tropic of Cancer and winter cold becomes welcome.

Ice: winter cold

CJ spent so much time on the Tropic of Cancer in Arabia that he desired the cold of winter; but as a youth in Tangier Gardens, he didn’t know that was in store for him.

Buy the book and find out how it came about @  https://bit.ly/3SIAfma