Hardscape is everything that is not plants. The deck, stone patio, metal trellis, and granite pathway. When you create a garden, it is useful to consider not only the cost and appearance of hardscape, but how it changes and ages over time outdoors. Also, where did the material come from? Did you find it on the street? Or was it dug out of a riverbed three thousand miles away? Ultimately, how does it make the garden feel?
There is an epic canyon in the middle of San Francisco. One of the last free running trickles or creeks, Islais Creek, still charges down from the hills of Mt Davidson out to the bay and Third Street. Listen for the great horned owls and wander the grasslands blooming with soap root and lupines. Heres a map and other creatures to look for:
This is a scavenger hunt for kids in the hills:
This ones for them kids by the slow runnin creek:
So if you are seeking healing spirits butterflies are a pretty good friend to have. They know all about transformation, and the casting off of skins that don’t quite fit anymore. These guys are called mawahopai in Paicoca, they are the big blue morphos in the selva. They are gathered for a conference eating flat yucca bread.
If you can hold still and not be too full of yourself then the eyes start to open. It looks something like this, but FIVE eyes?! Really!?? Yup, this probably after the design boa swallow you whole.
One day Whale was sucking up some tasty shrimp a little too close to shore and the tide got him. He ended up stuck high on the sands. Breathing dust. Skin flaking off in strips and not feeling his best. Maybe this is the day…
In comes Raven. Giant Raven. She tries and tries, but she cant move the big ol’ whale. Just cant get a grip on him. Not enough leverage. Too thick, too much blubber, too far from the sea.
The Sky is saddened to see the dying Whale. It is not time yet! The Sky spits on the earth. The bits of saliva become little red capped Wapaq spirits. Raven is surprised to see them. “What are you doing here?!” Then the Wapaq spirits say – ” Eat us Raven!”. Raven is like, uh, okay…
Then Raven becomes super super strong and lifts Whale right up off the beach! She tows him way out into the channel. Whale is so grateful to be alive that he starts to dance and flop and water is splashing everywhere. Fins, flukes, laughing baleen, the whole thing. Raven is like no big deal, I’m outa here. As she flies home, Wapaq spirits sprout from her flight path, and cover the earth with Red and White specks.
Mission Azul 