Happy 2019!

If this was a Bullet Journal, I’d be writing down my goals for 2019 using some fancy writing. I’m as happy as the next guy to write with real pen on real paper, but, for now, I’m still using my “good luck” Green Cross clipboard that’s been with me since the beginning of this journey and my kitchen calendar.

truer words …

I’ll be sticking with the good old fashioned method - scribble, cross-out, stick post-it notes on it - newsflash, pre-IPhone, iPad, app mania we used paper calendars upon which you can write everyone’s birthday, anniversary, doctor’s appointments, c…

I’ll be sticking with the good old fashioned method - scribble, cross-out, stick post-it notes on it - newsflash, pre-IPhone, iPad, app mania we used paper calendars upon which you can write everyone’s birthday, anniversary, doctor’s appointments, class schedules etc ALL IN ONE PLACE without checking a screen and while gazing on a beautiful picture of fresh cut flowers

Here’s my inspiration picture for 2019

APLD Award-winning Maine Seaside Garden - not designed or installed by me but just how I would like some of my gardens to look in early fall - texture, color, flowers, pollinator-friendly, natural but not wild or weedy, fairly subdued tones

APLD Award-winning Maine Seaside Garden - not designed or installed by me but just how I would like some of my gardens to look in early fall - texture, color, flowers, pollinator-friendly, natural but not wild or weedy, fairly subdued tones

Goals for 2019

  • Learn (and understand) something new as often as possible

  • Plant More

  • Be inspired by every individual landscape - no repetitions. Piet Oudolf supposedly said, in response to someone asking him why he so freely shared his planting plans, “i always have new ideas”. That’s what I want to be like.

  • Be quiet sometimes

  • Keep better records (somehow!) of plants, whether or not they have proven “worthy”, try new ones, don’t settle for gas station plants

  • Don’t be afraid

  • Listen to my clients even when their ideas seem whacky - they’re trying to tell me something and I ought to figure out what

  • Give as many revised estimates as it takes - without feeling put-upon

  • Make sure to be grateful for how much fun this job is compared to almost everyone else’s