I researched how to ensure a healthy peony season, and there was very little for me to do. I deadheaded spent blooms, encouraging the flowers to send the rest of the season’s energy to the tubers—saving that energy for the next year’s blooms. I cut down the dead stalks in the fall and added compost. I went so far as to buy specialty fertilizer, but I never added it. I had no good reason to mess with a sure thing.
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Xanaduing My Best: Common Buckthorn
In addition to outcompeting native plants that support native wildlife, buckthorn are bad for surrounding structures. Their roots are shallow but dense, hoarding nutrients for themselves. Native plants with deep roots soak up water and incorporate it into the Earth’s water cycle; buckthorn trees let the water pool and soak into my basement and cost me thousands of dollars in repairs.
Xanaduing My Best: English Ivy
English ivy was eating my new home. It crawled through windows, over doors, and into brick. It climbed up trees and advanced across grass. It swallowed up light and space. From the front curb to the rear fence, the north side of my property was a 15-foot wide forest of invasive plants, with English ivy rising from the ground in mats, suffocating trees, and generally taking over.
The Picture of Katie Britt
I followed Katie Britt’s career from afar, confident that I would hear our name on bigger and bigger stages. As the protege of former Democrat Richard Shelby, she seemed poised to reject the far right in favor of a more sensible conservatism. She’s noted for making friends with John Fetterman at a time when Republicans and Democrats rarely have a kind word for each other. That’s about as good as one can expect from a Republican, and part of me hoped she had the ambition, experience, and wisdom to fight for a more sensible political landscape.
Work from Home: Before and After
On March 18, 2020, I began working from home full-time, with the exception of going into the office about once a month. Today, August 23, 2021 (524 days later), I begin working in the office four days a week, with one weekly work-from-home day. Going home for two weeks. In recognition of the intervening 17 … Continue reading Work from Home: Before and After
Queen Harvest’s 2020 Reading Recap
I began 2020 with a fire in my belly for reading. I made up a goal to ensure a robust literary year: 20 novels, 20 plays. I proceeded to read more nonfiction than ever before, and I have no regrets.
Lord, Beer Me Strength (ft. New World Sourdough: Honey Oat Tin Loaf)
The universe is really laughing its ass off. This is the final post on New World Sourdough for the foreseeable future.
New World Sourdough: Pretzel Rolls
These pretzel rolls would make fun sliders, but I just ate them out of hand. Put them on the side of any meal, dip them in mustard, or feed them to squirrels and take cute photos. They are truly versatile and worth the effort.
New World Sourdough: New Orleans French Bread
This bread is, dare I say, perfect. The crust is crisp without a hint of toughness. The crumb is soft and fluffy. It would indeed be perfect for a po’ boy, but if couldn’t resist eating it straight.
New World Sourdough: Birote + Muffuletta Rolling with the Punches
This round of New World Sourdough explored a bread I am very excited about: birote. A product of Napoleonic imperialism, birote infuses the French baguette with Latin American flavor.
Put It In Your Hat 