Archive for May, 2008

Bleeding Heart, Hellebore and Cherry Blossom

After several weeks of almost Summer weather followed by several chilly and rainy days I walked around the corner of my garden and found this. The cherry blossoms were spectacular on the tree but this took my breath away.

Happy Spring!

Consider Donating Generously to the Small Business of Your Choice

I have been slacking on this blog thing for a while now. I apologize really.

I have been spending the majority of that time trying to solve the age old problem of getting clients to pay their bills. I am fairly new to business – at least as a full time paying-your-bill-means-I can pay-mine thing and am learning, absolutely every single thing, the hard way.

The problem is serious enough that I really wonder why small business doesn’t go extinct. Of course thats why little ventures are given a life expectancy of under two years but-that-wont-be-me.

There was a charity that advertised for years by stating that a dollar a day could support a child at one level, 2 dollars a day could support them at another level. The amounts were aimed at food, housing, clothing and schooling.

I considered drafting a list of my bills to include with my invoices and allowing my clients to check off which bills they were contributing to (or not). For instance a client could see that their decision to not pay $500 (or so) of an invoice would be the equivalent of saying “I choose not to let you make your car payment this month)

Greater amounts would be equal to the mortgage, my child’s (or my) college tuition payment or a month of groceries.

Of course this idea would probably (definitely) be considered highly unprofessional but still I enjoy the fantasy.

Besides. I’ve learned the lack of money can make the value increase as well. It IS permissible to charge interest. At least one clients interest is worth a hair appointment. Or shoes.


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Shameless Commerce

Apple iTunes
The control-alt-delete playlist on itunes
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The books I list below I own myself or have read and recommend.

LEAP, What will we do for the rest of our lives?
Sara Davidson

I Feel Bad About My Neck
Nora Ephron

The Principles of Gardening
Hugh Johnson
This book is where you start. I have had it for years and still turn to it.

The Natural Garden
Ken Druse
This is the book I turn to for inspiration again and again. If you like your plants in straight lines this may not be the book for you.

This American Life

Finally My favorite radio show comes to TV!
This American Life