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It came out of the earth suddenly, pushing soil and plants that were in its way to the side. Just a bit of moisture had allowed this large clump of honey mushrooms to emerge and start its path to reproduction. At this time of year when the trees are turning the color of flame and some have already gone into dormancy it seems the earth is growing silent. Winter will soon be here. For nature life continues. Look around you and be thankful for the bounty, the restfulness, the time to enjoy these beautiful mountains that we call hom

With fall comes less wind and boaters head up the coast to New Years Island. This time of year the ocean is at its calmest and heading up the coast to less traveled locations can bring a day of new sights and great fishing.

I designed other parts of this garden, but this area was all hers. She'd been interested in cactus and succulents for a long time before deciding to combine her passion for these plants and her love of gardening to a problem spot in the garden. The results are jaw-dropping impressive and I was honored to visit this garden and get a private tour.

Cycles in nature prevail while anchovies make a come back. Every time I think I have figured out a pattern in nature I get served a does of reality.

The big wind we experienced not long ago was just the beginning of the wild weather that is coming our way. Looking up at the trees violently swaying from one side to the other I wondered how they could survive such strong wind gusts. Not all of them do survive, as they come down and block driveways, roads and sometimes land on a house or a car. There are ways of trimming, pruning and managing trees that can help them stay upright in a strong wind. Don't endanger yourself, your family, your property or your valuable trees by mismanaging this valuable resource.

The house sits empty now. Its lace curtains are still in the windows and the grass is being mowed by a man I don’t recognize. The sign on the truck’s door reads “Lopes Hauling and Gar…” the rest is worn off, the numbers no longer legible.

Shawn Smith of Santa Cruz has carried shrapnel in his brain since April 13, 2004 when he led his squadron of Marines in the battle of Fallujah. As part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Sgt. Smith and his men located and retrieved classified material and coalition weapons from a U.S. helicopter that had been shot down in Fallujah, Iraq.