The Los Angeles County wildfires of January 2025 devastated Altadena and the Palisades, destroyed over 15,000 structures, and caused more than two dozen fatalities. Thousands of residents were left homeless. LA County entered a state of shock. Even the...
Van Gogh produced nearly a dozen paintings of sunflowers. They’re among his most celebrated works. It’s easy to see why. The sunflower is sturdy and delicate, bold and intricate, and grows like a weed in sun-drenched Southern France. It will grow like...
Such a versatile and useful plant! Lavender reduces stress and promotes relaxation in herbal remedies. It relieves headaches, insomnia, and minor burns or insect bites. Dried lavender flowers can add fragrance and a slightly sweet flavor to dishes, teas, and baked...
Prehistoric humans gathered around fires to keep themselves warm, ward off predatory animals, and cook their food. Fast-forward to today. Little has changed, except that the predators are mostly gone from urban landscapes. People still gather around fires, but now...
Sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) were first cultivated in Sicily for their sweet fragrance and butterfly-like flowers in hues of white, pink, red, violet, and purple (among others). Introduced to England in the late 17th century, these climbing annuals later became a...
