The San Lorenzo River crested at 24 feet just before Christmas and now flows with ease through the valley. The river flows have been high, but the water color is clear and the flow is healthy. And the big rains of December brought large steelhead from Central to Northern California.

There's no way around it. January may signal the start of the new year, but most of our plants still have the day off. I need inspiration on these cold mornings when most of my plants are asleep.

Recently I visited a garden of glass, and it was spectacular.

It's a humbling experience to read some of my past columns celebrating New Year’s. Once you write something down, it's there forever. Like a social media post, it can haunt you. I've set such lofty goals for myself over the years.

From supplying water pump bicycles to undeveloped countries to empowering impoverished women and orphans, Bob Pagett, the founding president of Scotts Valley-based Assist International, learned about giving at an early age.