In this episode, we discuss the fascinating Anatomy and Array of Beautiful Bark, noting a selection of trees inspired by a talk given by Bruce Crawford, the Manager of Horticulture of the Morris County Park Commission (NJ).

We wrap up with an analogy of our skin, which developed just as the bark of trees based on our areas of origin. And how metaphorically, we grow thicker skin with life challenges. But we can exfoliate by forgiving and begin to flourish.

I hope you enjoy the story.

Related Stories and Helpful Links:

Anatomy & Array of Beautiful Bark

Episode 45 Beloved Mr. Beech (Link to Blog Post Beloved Beech Trees)

Episode 132 Shagbark Hickories – Nutty Mast Years – (Link to Blog Post)

The story of my Unexpected Furry Messenger Episode 20 - (Link to Blog Post)

Morris County Park Commission

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I'd love to hear about your garden and nature stories. And your thoughts about topics for future podcast episodes. You can email me at [email protected]. Thanks so much for tuning in.

You can Follow Garden Dilemmas on Facebook and Instagram #MaryElaineStone.

Episode web page —Garden Dilemmas Podcast Page

Thank you for sharing the Garden of Life,

Mary Stone, Columnist & Garden Designer

AskMaryStone.com

More about the Podcast and Column:
Welcome to Garden Dilemmas, Delights, and Discoveries.
It's not only about gardens; it's about nature's inspirations, about grasping the glories of the world around us, gathering what we learned from mother nature, and carrying these lessons into our garden of life. So, let's jump in in the spirit of learning from each other. We have lots to talk about.
Thanks for tuning in, Mary Stone
Garden Dilemmas? AskMaryStone.com
Direct Link to Podcast Page

Late-season gardens can grow tired. Thankfully, there are late-season bloomers, many native plants I rely on to lift the drab and weedy. Glorious Goldenrod is among them. Despite rumors, they don't cause allergies and are not considered invasive by most authorities.
Related Stories and Helpful Links

• Late-Season Bloomers
• Is Goldenrod Invasive?
• Goldenrod's bad reputation

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• University of Georgia’s Center for Invasive Species site (Invasive.org)
• Penn State Extension’s list of recommended native plants for perennial gardens
• PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)
• USDA maintains a list of federally recognized noxious weeds.

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I'd love to hear about your garden and nature stories. And your thoughts about topics for future podcast episodes. You can email me at [email protected]. Thanks so much for tuning in.

You can Follow Garden Dilemmas on Facebook and Instagram #MaryElaineStone

Episode web page —Garden Dilemmas Podcast Page

Thank you for sharing the Garden of Life,

Mary Stone, Columnist & Garden Designer
AskMaryStone.com

More about the Podcast and Column:
Welcome to Garden Dilemmas, Delights, and Discoveries.
It's not only about gardens; it's about nature's inspirations, about grasping the glories of the world around us, gathering what we learned from mother nature, and carrying these lessons into our garden of life. So, let's jump in in the spirit of learning from each other. We have lots to talk about.
Thanks for tuning in, Mary Stone
Garden Dilemmas? AskMaryStone.com
Direct Link to Podcast Page

After last week's chat about Fawn's Cry and Perennial Pilfering (Ep 111) and letting wildlife be, I thought you'd enjoy a story about running into Seal Pup Surprise at Island Beach State Park, NJ.

We wrap up with an announcement of Growing Forward – how I finally submitted a book proposal for The Lesson of the Leaf to Hay House Publishing. I hope the story will inspire you to push through self-doubt too. Thank you, kind listeners, for all of your encouragement and support.

Related Stories and Helpful Links

A Seal Pup Surprise

Video to Hay House Publishing to introduce The Lesson of Leaf

Let Fawns & Wildlife Be
8888

I'd love to hear about your garden and nature stories. And your thoughts about topics for future podcast episodes. You can email me at [email protected]. Thanks so much for tuning in.

You can Follow Garden Dilemmas on Facebook and Instagram #MaryElaineStone

Episode web page —Garden Dilemmas Podcast Page

Thank you for sharing the Garden of Life,

Mary Stone, Columnist & Garden Designer
AskMaryStone.com

More about the Podcast and Column:
Welcome to Garden Dilemmas, Delights, and Discoveries.
It's not only about gardens; it's about nature's inspirations, about grasping the glories of the world around us, gathering what we learned from mother nature, and carrying these lessons into our garden of life. So, let's jump in in the spirit of learning from each other. We have lots to talk about.
Thanks for tuning in, Mary Stone
Garden Dilemmas? AskMaryStone.com
Direct Link to Podcast Page

Snowdrops and Winter Aconite bloomed early this year, leading to a chat about the folklore of the winter flowers.
Snowdrops, known as Candlemas Bells, are featured on Candlemas Day, representing Jesus bringing hope to the world.
We share a history of Candlemas Day, celebrated on February 2nd, along with Ground Hog Day, a holiday representing repetitiveness since the movie Groundhog Day became famous. One of the exciting repetitive tasks in anticipation of spring is purchasing seeds.
Related Stories & Helpful Links:

Winter Flowers and Folklore

March Folklore of Hope

Planting Snowdrops & Spring Bulbs

History of Groundhog Day
The Old Farmer's Almanac Weather Lore Calendar

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I'd love to hear about your garden and nature stories. And your thoughts about topics for future podcast episodes. You can email me at [email protected]. Thanks so much for tuning in :^)

You can Follow Garden Dilemmas on Facebook and Instagram #MaryElaineStone

Episode web page —Garden Dilemmas Podcast Page

Thank you for sharing the garden of life,

Mary Stone, Columnist & Garden Designer
AskMaryStone.com

More about the Podcast and Column:
Welcome to Garden Dilemmas, Delights, and Discoveries.
It's not only about gardens; it's about nature's inspirations, about grasping the glories of the world around us, gathering what we learned from mother nature, and carrying these lessons into our garden of life. So, let's jump in in the spirit of learning from each other. We have lots to talk about.
Thanks for tuning in, Mary Stone
Garden Dilemmas? AskMaryStone.com
Direct Link to Podcast Page

There is much wisdom in the rhythm of the water. In this episode, we talk about the cycles of water, including the fascination of ice crystals decorating windows like etchings of intricate art.

Then there's Dr. Masaru Emoto's work published in, The Hidden Messages in Water (2004), where he explains how loving words of gratitude turned into exquisite crystals. While threatening phrases caused the crystals to become misshapen as if confused. We wrap up in appreciation for the sustenance of water.

Link to Related Stories:

Wisdom in the Rhythm of Water

The Lesson of LeafDr. Masaru Emoto’s book The Hidden Messages in Water (2004)

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I'd love to hear about your garden and nature stories. And your thoughts about topics for future podcast episodes. You can email me at [email protected]. Thanks so much for tuning in :^)

You can Follow Garden Dilemmas on Facebook and Instagram #MaryElaineStone

Episode web page —Garden Dilemmas Podcast Page

Thank you for sharing the garden of life,

Mary Stone, Columnist & Garden Designer

Garden Dilemmas? AskMaryStone.com

More about the Podcast and Column:
Welcome to Garden Dilemmas, Delights, and Discoveries.
It's not only about gardens; it's about nature's inspirations, about grasping the glories of the world around us, gathering what we learned from mother nature, and carrying these lessons into our garden of life. So, let's jump in in the spirit of learning from each other. We have lots to talk about.
Thanks for tuning in, Mary Stone
Garden Dilemmas? AskMaryStone.com
Direct Link to Podcast Page