Beautiful Landscape

Where I Am Now

A blog about what's on my mind today.

Blog

I've been blogging since 2010, with different blogs for different topics. With this one, I'm bringing everything together, gradually moving posts here from older blogs, which is why you see long past publication dates on some of them. This page lists, in chronological order, all the posts on this site.

Coloring Music

May 21
2 min

Coloring Music

Early in my landscape design career, I learned that adding color to drawings was important if I wanted to sell my work.

A Bit of West Seattle Garden Tour History

May 8
3 min

A Bit of West Seattle Garden Tour History

In the spring of 1995, a group of West Seattle gardeners brought us the first West Seattle Garden Tour (WSGT).

My Comments on Sound Transit's Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)

Apr 24
9 min

My Comments on Sound Transit's Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)

I am posting my comments here for two reasons: 1) According to "the rules," comments submitted by April 28th that address specific sections

How Many West Seattle Businesses Will We Lose Because of Sound Transit's Light Rail?

Apr 16
3 min

How Many West Seattle Businesses Will We Lose Because of Sound Transit's Light Rail?

Sound Transit's light rail extension to West Seattle will mean the closure or relocation of many businesses. How many and which ones?

"Because We Said So" - The Latest Episode of West Seattle Bridge Drama

Apr 10
5 min

"Because We Said So" - The Latest Episode of West Seattle Bridge Drama

When I posted last week's article about the new season of West Seattle Bridge Drama, I thought, "Hey, that's it now, I'm going to go do some

Welcome to a New Season of West Seattle Bridge Drama

Apr 2
8 min

Welcome to a New Season of West Seattle Bridge Drama

now that 700 people in West Seattle have received letters advising them that their properties are in the path of an oncoming train.

The Bridges of West Seattle

Apr 1
6 min

The Bridges of West Seattle

When the West Seattle Bridge, which links the peninsula of West Seattle with mainland Seattle, was closed suddenly in March of 2020, it left

West Seattle's "Walking on Logs" Sculptures

Mar 26
2 min

West Seattle's "Walking on Logs" Sculptures

Remember these kids? When the West Seattle Bridge was open, we passed them every time we drove into the neighborhood. Sometimes they were dr

When It Comes To Transit, Think Small

Feb 5
5 min

When It Comes To Transit, Think Small

Think Small. This simple ad, which ran in the 1960s, was part of one of the most successful campaigns of all time. It was clever.

Why You Should Have A Commuting Budget

Dec 4, 2021
5 min

Why You Should Have A Commuting Budget

A commuting budget looks at both the amount of time you allocate for going to and from work each week, and what that commute costs you.

Three Ways Political Parties Poison Democracy

Nov 20, 2021
6 min

Three Ways Political Parties Poison Democracy

I want to begin by reminding you that the Constitution makes no provision for political parties.

Find Out by Zip Code How Much CO2 Your Neighborhood Emits

Sep 24, 2021
2 min

Find Out by Zip Code How Much CO2 Your Neighborhood Emits

We've heard for decades that increasing population density is good for the environment. The theory is that it discourages suburban sprawl,

WTF Is a Woonerf? And Where Can We Put One in West Seattle?

Sep 19, 2021
2 min

WTF Is a Woonerf? And Where Can We Put One in West Seattle?

Woonerf, a Dutch word, is translated as "a living yard." It is a street where car use is limited in favor of green space and room for pedest

A Fresh Look for the Arboretum at South Seattle College

Sep 11, 2021
2 min

A Fresh Look for the Arboretum at South Seattle College

I was a landscape design student at South Seattle College in the early 1990s. The Arboretum was our outdoor classroom, where we took classes

The World's Oldest Pearl Jam Fan

Jul 23, 2021
4 min

The World's Oldest Pearl Jam Fan

I've been called the world's oldest Pearl Jam fan. But it isn't true.

Life at Alki Beach: Pirates and Pole Vaulters - Aaaargh!!

Jun 11, 2021
2 min

Life at Alki Beach: Pirates and Pole Vaulters - Aaaargh!!

It appears that the Seafair Pirate landing at Alki Beach is cancelled this year because of lingering issues from the pandemic. This photo es

The New Economy

Jun 6, 2021
3 min

The New Economy

Despite what the politicians and pundits say, I don't think we are in the midst of an economic "recovery." The word recovery implies going b

The Alki 11 Row House Project: Density Done Wrong

Jun 5, 2021
2 min

The Alki 11 Row House Project: Density Done Wrong

In 2013, a developer announced plans to replace these three beach houses with an 11-unit row house project in the Alki Beach neighborhood.

SkyLink: Rising Above It All In West Seattle

May 18, 2021
4 min

SkyLink: Rising Above It All In West Seattle

Did you know that trains don't run uphill? It's true. On level ground, those smooth metal wheels glide along those smooth metal rails,...

West Seattle's Affordable Housing Crisis

May 14, 2021
6 min

West Seattle's Affordable Housing Crisis

Is "crisis" too strong a word for the state of affordable housing in West Seattle?