There is a violent gardener in my neighborhood.
Call him Mister Green Fist.
He put a defeatist sign up in front of his victory garden. The sign (which faces a busy thoroughfare) warns that he’ll “beat the crap” out of anyone who messes with his flowers.
Will upload a photo of that sign when I work up the courage to take a snapshot.
Speaking of wickedness and extreme gardening, I am eager to go see Amy Stewart, bestselling author of Wicked Plants, when she arrives in Capitola to read from her new book, Wicked Bugs, on Wednesday June 8 at the Book Cafe. The talk begins at 7:30 p.m. I didn’t realize that Ms. Stewart is a former Santa Cruzan. For the sake of this book, she tracked down 100 of our most horrifying bug enemies, from disease-vector flies to bugs that can turn entire libraries into mulch. Stewart’s books are witty and informative, but she also deserves props for the design, layout, and artistry.
I found out about Stewart from the incomparable Mary Harden, my botanical illustration teacher up in Golden Gate Park up until last year, when I relocated to Santa Cruz.
Hope to see you all there.
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