What could be lovelier than spending Christmas Eve at a botanical garden? After a windy, stormy morning, the clouds cleared and winter sun brought color to the golden heathers, early blooming rhododendrons and grevilleas growing in the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. I’ve long wanted to visit this famous garden and here was my chance. I was not disappointed at what is described as 47 acres of beauty next to the coast.

In July, 1901, the summer guests of the Hotel Rowardennan enjoyed a glimpse of the future when a fine automobile pulled into its driveway. Joseph Kieley, a Klondike millionaire, and J. R. Burnham, who, according to the Sentinel, “has had much experience with autos,” made the run from Oakland in a little over eight hours, including an hour spent on the Big Tree Road between Santa Cruz and Ben Lomond.

As we prepare to leave the old year behind us and greet the New Year, I would like to propose the following health related resolutions:

I’m hoping to start 2016 off right. This will be the year when all good intentions pay off in my garden. Since motivation is the key to fruition, I’m going on a limb so to speak and write down my resolutions. I believe simple changes can make a big difference in the garden over time.

 We all celebrate the holidays in a different way. Each family has its own traditions and memories from years gone by. Some of us celebrate Christmas, some Hanukkah, and some Kwanzaa. Many of our traditional Christmas customs originate from Winter Solstice celebrations. The plants associated with each are an important part of tradition and symbolism.