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.

It is time to get the gas burners and large pots out for boiling crabs! I am so excited for crab season. I have come to enjoy the change of seasons and how they affect my menu at home.

Orin Martin of the Alan Chadwick Garden on the University of California, Santa Cruz campus is widely admired for his incredible knowledge and skills as a master orchardist, horticulturalist and teacher. I was lucky when, a couple of years ago, he visited a group of fellow designers and brought his favorite russet apples. Another time, he brought a dozen different kinds of potatoes that we roasted, critiqued and thoroughly enjoyed.