Garden Dilemmas, Delights & Discoveries, Ask Mary Stone, New Jersey Garden blog
Virginia Beach Sunrise with a silhouette of Mary Stone and her golden retriever Miss Ellie Mae.

Pushing Hands of Peace

Hello, fellow lovers of all things green, Previously, I shared coming upon an arrowhead in Cape May and the importance of leaving artifacts where they are, including the sculptures and books depicting American history. Indeed, while there are shameful times, we can learn and grow from
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Fall-leaf-in-hand

Overview of the Lesson of the Leaf

Hello, fellow lover of all things green. In the spirit of completing my book, I plan to share bits of it going forward. It’s our book, really, as the column and your questions over the last thirteen years have contributed significantly to the mission, and I am so grateful. To fo
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a couple photographing a double rainbow amongst trees in brilliant fall colors

Cycles in Our Garden of Life

Hello fellow readers, The seasons of gardening relate to the cycles in our garden of life. In the early season of life, we don’t have choices. Like seeds, we live with what we were handed and where we landed. We are born into a family, a culture, and a country where we will grow
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A yellow golden retriever with snow on her nose walking along a frozen brook

Wisdom in the Rhythm of Water

Hello, fellow readers, There is wisdom in the rhythm of the water. Water is everywhere, including as vapor in our atmosphere and the cells of all living things. During a deep freeze like the one we recently enjoyed, some say endured, ice crystals decorated our storm windows like etchi
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a large tan oak leaf held in a woman's hand and a white dog with black ears in the background.

The Fall of the Leaf

Hello fellow readers, Thanks to those who reached back after last week’s story with curiosities about my book underway; the working title is The Lesson of the Leaf. Its theme is maneuvering through overlapping losses that happen in the later seasons of our lives. For some, they
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a red maple leaf resting on the edge of Catfish Pond

“Leaf Therapy” fills emptiness

Hello fellow readers, Camp Mohican has been a place of respite and contemplation since I moved to Blairstown, NJ, 21 years ago. Contiguous with the Appalachian Trail, it’s one of the reasons I relocated here. Walking amongst the trees always helps my heart. Yesterday, I desperat
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Birthday Reflection Pulse Check

Hello fellow readers, Monday, the day the column is due to The Press, became a Birthday Reflection Pulse Check I’d like to share with you. Thank you for reading! May we all remember to embrace the unexpected in this garden of life and take more time to play. Birthday Reflection
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A collection of heart-shaped Bill's stones

The Story of Bill’s Stones

Hello, fellow readers, The Press takes a hiatus between Christmas and New Year’s, so I don’t have a weekly column to share. But I’d like to share the story of Bill’s stones with you, my faithful online readers. One of my most frequented meditative walks is clim
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An oak leaf frozen in a pond

Origin of The Lesson of the Leaf

Hello, fellow lover of all things green, If I may share the origin of a memoir underway titled The Lesson of the Leaf. My beloved brother Bill passed away on December 21st. I was blessed to travel to Florida to be by his side in his last weeks. Several overnights in the hospital and h
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