Let’s Meet on the Porch

While walking my dog on a recent Sunday afternoon, I spotted my neighbor knitting on her front porch. I waved and approached, stopping just short of her shade garden. We chatted for a long time — from a safe distance — about working from home, our dogs, baking, knitting and how our families are doing,…

How to Create a Fragrant Garden

In his latest book, Ken Druse candidly admits to a particular botanical bias. “When I come across a beautiful flower,” he writes, “the first thing I do (after checking for a bumblebee) is lean in to sample its smell.” And if there’s no scent? “I find the blossom somewhat lacking.” Mr. Druse is the author…

The ‘Invisible’ Garden of Scent

In his latest book, Ken Druse candidly admits to a particular botanical bias. “When I come across a beautiful flower,” he writes, “the first thing I do (after checking for a bumblebee) is lean in to sample its smell.” And if there’s no scent? “I find the blossom somewhat lacking.” Mr. Druse is the author…

How’s the Economy Doing? Watch the Dentists

ImageInstalling a crown at a dental office in Vinton, Iowa, last month. In many places, dentists have gone back to work.Credit…Andy Abeyta/The Gazette, via Associated Press If not for coronavirus, you’d expect your local dentist office to be doing just fine. Dentist offices tend to be stable businesses that stick around for decades, unlike restaurants…