Picture this — spring hath sprung, and you’ve finished your tedious cleaning jobs. As the days are getting longer and warmer, you grab sun cream and spend your weekend giving the garden some much deserved TLC. When shopping for plants, remember to consider whether the new garden addition will be pet friendly. Some plants contain […]
outdoors
Posted inThe Outdoors
Getting Active for Spring and Summer as an Older Adult
Adapting to the pandemic for the past year has made exercise and physical fitness difficult, but there are still ways to remain active. And with spring in the air, it’s the perfect time to get back outside and moving. For aging adults, physical fitness is even more important to keep joints flexible and muscles strong […]
Posted inPeople & Places
Fun on the Local Waters
Some people say the two happiest days of boat owners’ lives are the day they buy and the day they sell. But for boaters looking forward to what will hopefully be a warm, sunny summer on the water, boating on Puget Sound is some of the most fun that can be had, and where lifetime […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
Designing a Wildlife-Friendly Landscape
We love watching the bunnies hopping across the lawn or ground squirrels scurrying away with a cheek full of seeds. That is, until they dine on our favorite shrub or take just one bite out of each red, ripe tomato in the garden. Finding a way to coexist is critical for wildlife struggling to survive […]
Posted inGarden
The Joy of Gardening
In the remoteness of a Bainbridge Island neighborhood lies a retreat in an English-inspired garden. Native apple, plum and pear trees that line the street create privacy, and tall grasses encompass the garden that Lori McFarlin has come to call her sanctuary. This 2-acre property has a 100-year-old house with a 100-year-old birch tree that […]
Posted inPeople & Places
The Great American Road Trip
Finding your travel comfort zone is different for each person, as everyone navigates a new, partially vaccinated country still reeling from the pandemic. As in 2020, close-to-home staycations continue to dominate, but some people are venturing farther, even internationally, in this brave new world. If you find yourself torn between staying put and jumping on […]
Posted inGarden
Size Doesn’t Matter in the World of Woodpeckers
All birds have their place in the ecosystems in which they live. Some are “keystone” species that other creatures rely on, making them a critical component of their respective biomes. Among the keystone species of birds are woodpeckers. As the name suggests, woodpeckers peck wood. But their pecking has a purpose. They’re excavation experts. Woodpeckers […]
Posted inPeople & Places
Historic Downtown Gig Harbor
Any discussion of downtowns on the Kitsap Peninsula has to include the Gig Harbor historic downtown waterfront district. Centered around the famous Harborside Avenue, Gig Harbor’s downtown has many shops and restaurants, along with stunning views of Puget Sound and Mount Rainier. On any given day, the waterfront district is full of walkers and tourists […]
Posted inThe Outdoors
Which ‘Backyarder’ Personality Are You?
Backyarding — the trend to use the backyard for everything from teleworking and working out to relaxing and recreating — has a different purpose for each of us. Identifying your backyard’s role in your family’s health and happiness is the key to cultivating a purposeful outdoor space that is customized to your needs. “How do […]