Life

In industrial societies, characterized by prosperity and abundance and increasing life expectancy, so called 'national diseases' are becoming a rising danger.

It is February 1, as I write this, and it is a beautiful day, although still cold, but things are beginning to show definite signs of life.

As the calendar edges toward March and the first day of spring, gardeners in Victoria are eagerly gearing up for a growing season that comes early here on the West Coast.

Just for a change from the rain, today we have fog, but it seems to be thinning, and shortly I’ll wager we’ll have a sunny afternoon, and won’t that be lovely.

I sincerely hope none of you rushed to grab your secateurs, don a coat and tear outside to chop off your clematis. This cutting off only applies to some clematis, those that bear their flowers on new growth produced this spring. Some clematis simply can’t survive such a dramatic pruning. I speak from unhappy experience.

Victorians are invited to “Parc it” this month and check out one of the city’s newest home furnishings stores.

The snow that we had last week is now gone, save for a few browning lumps on corners of streets. It is so pretty when it first comes, and so shabby after several days, and so treacherous while it’s on the sidewalks. I understand there is more to come, so keep warm m’dears.

Woodwynn Farm in Central Saanich suggested as home to a therapeutic community