Notes and Reflections Blog
Cathy is an essayist who writes from her base at Boomerang Creek. Her blogs range from gathering persimmons to thoughts on global pandemics. To share her observations, follow her at “Notes and Reflections".
The Rooms of Our Childhood
For each of us, there comes a time when as a child, we make the momentous journey from the insular familiarity of family to the community of an elementary school.
Remembering 9/11/2001
Twenty-five years ago today, the world changed forever.
Your One Precious Life
I could not sleep the night of August’s Blood moon.
Snapshots from Cuba
In 1992, the balance of power in the world shifted.
Parapluies, Parasols, and Umbrellas
Rain is a frequent part of life in the port city of Cherbourg in Normandy, northwestern France.
Hello August! Welcome Zucchini!
Deep into August, it is HOT everywhere and gardens are exploding with produce!
Episodes with Kit
On August 6, 1938, the world became a brighter place, for that was the day Christopher Lord Salter (Kit as his mother called him) was born.
The World Needs Pie
July holds deeply rooted memories that link me to Grant Wood prairie landscapes, Prairie Lights Bookstore and Summer Writers Festivals in Iowa City, and as it happened one summer, to an apple pie I made in the farmhouse kitchen of author Beth M. Howard many moons ago.
Lavender Harvest
It’s late July and has been exhaustingly hot like much of the world these days.
The Beautiful Game
These hot mid-July days, I find myself up before dawn, eager to open the screen doors and capture any early morning coolness that I can.
Listening
Eudora Welty, Grande Dame of American letters, loved gardens.
World War I
As so often happens, my writing journeys begin with a book.
My June Calendar
When June and July rolled around this year, it was time to take care of essential appointments that come due periodically regarding the body as well as car care.
The Wonder of Libraries
Before the invention of paper, the thin inner bark of certain trees was used for writing on; this was in Latin called liber, which came in time to signify also a “book.”
Peekay at Two
I was not going to have another cat.
The Magic of Bookshops
Last November, I received a gift from Susan Fifer-Canby—a dear friend and fellow book lover.
Nico’s Amazing Journey
For almost thirty years, Kit and I have shared many memorable adventures across a wide range of geographies with our grandson Nico.
Garden Meditations
When irises were flowering across the Midwest a decade ago, I received a note from my friend, poet Ted Kooser.
A Terrific Gardening Show
On Earth Day (April 22, 2026), American comedian Zach Galifianakis was on a mission to teach children and adults alike something about gardening.
Marcellus Comes to Netflix
In case you are one of the few people on the planet who has not read Remarkably Bright Creatures, Marcellus is a giant Pacific octopus living at the Sowell Bay Aquarium in Puget Sound.