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Showing posts with the label colonizing plants

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Posted by Lisa January 14, 2014

The amazing power of colonizing plants

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Lisa Wagner

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mild winters2
milkweed5
milkweed bugs1
milkweeds1
million pollinator garden challenge3
mimicry1
Miscanthus sinensis1
mistletoe1
mistletoe fruits1
Mocha4
mock orange1
mockingbirds7
monarch caterpillars2
monarch migration5
monarch watch5
monarchs30
Monarda1
Monarda didyma1
Monarda Raspberry Wine3
Mont Albert1
Montford4
Montford bear3
Montford Bridge1
Monticello4
moon2
moon flowers1
Moon rise1
moon rising1
More fruit trees1
more rain9
morels1
morning garden3
morning glories5
Morning Glory Cooking School1
morning light9
morning view3
mosquito fern1
mosquitoes1
moss sporophytes1
mosses2
mosses and lichens1
moths1
Mountain ash1
mountain laurel4
mountain views2
mountains3
mountains in Argentina1
Mountains to Sea trail1
mourning cloak1
moving to a new garden1
Mt Mitchell1
Mt. Hood2
Mt. Hood National Forest1
Mt. Pisgah3
Mt. Rainer1
Muang Sing1
Muckross House1
mud1
mulch4
mulching2
multiplier onions1
mums1
Munster botanical garden1
mushrooms2
mushrooms. wild mushrooms2
mustard greens2
mustards2
Mysore1
na1
Napier1
nasturtiums2
National Pollinator Week3
native American plants1
native azaleas7
native bees1
native Penstemons1
native perennial1
native perennials7
native plant nurseries3
native plants8
native plants used as foundation plantings1
native rhododendrons2
native roses1
native wildflowers3
native wisteria1
native woodland gardens16
native woodland wildflowers8
natur1
natural1
Natural Bridge State Park1
natural gardeing3
natural garden1
natural gardenin1
natural gardening1487
natural gardeningSwallowtail GardensOld1
natural gardening bears1
natural gardenoing1
natural gardens11
natural landscaping2
natural neighborhoods3
naturalistic garden plantings1
naturalistic gardens7
naturalistic landscapes1
nature7
nature interpretation3
nature journaling4
nature photography4
Nature Sound1
NC Arboretum1
NC mountains2
NCBG1
nectar2
nectaring1
neighborhoods1
neighbors1
Neomarica gracilis1
neonicotinoid threat to pollinators1
neonicotinoids1
nest boxes1
nesting4
nestlings1
nettles1
New Brunswick1
new chicken farmers1
New England aster1
new plantings1
New River Gorge1
New River Gorge National Park1
New Year1
New Zealand13
NGS1
Niagara Falls1
night sky3
night sounds8
night-blooming flowers2
no farms1
no food1
nocturnal symphony14
Noel Kingsbury2
Norfolk Botanical Garden1
North Asheville1
North Carolina Botanical Garden2
Northern Cardinal2
Northern Flicker3
Northern water snake1
Nova Scotia3
November full moon2
nursery bed1
nursery logs1
nursery stumps1
nutrient management1
nutrient needs for vegetables1
nutrients for vegetables2
NWF Backyard Wildlife Habitat1
Nyssa1
oak leaves1
oak-leaf hydrangea2
oaks1
Observing the natural world1
Oconee Bells2
Ohope1
Ohope Beach1
Old1
old roses3
old southern apples3
old stone wall2
old town1
old window cold frames3
old window uses1
olives1
Olympic park plantings2
onions6
open-polliinated seeds2
open-pollinated seeds1
opossum2
opportunists1
orach1
orchid buds1
orchids3
ordering seeds1
organic compost2
organic food2
organic growing2
organic growing. nutrient management1
Organic Mechanic1
organic mulch1
organic peppers2
organic vegetables2
ornamental onions1
ornamental vegetables2
Osnabruck botanical garden2
Otavalo1
Otranto1
Oudolf garden1
overwintered greens7
overwintered vegetables3
Ozark witch hazel7
pac choi1
Pacific Northwest1
Packera aurea2
Palm leaf solar lamp1
Palmettovores1
Parc National de Bic4
Parc National du Bic12
paring down1
parking lot meadows2
parking lots1
parks1
parsnips2
Passiflora3
Passiflora lutea3
passion flowers2
passionvine2
Patagonia11
Patchwork Urban Farms1
Path of the Gods1
paths1
pea shoots3
peaches2
peanuts1
Pears1
Pearson Community Garden3
Pearson's Falls3
peas4
PEI views1
Penstemon 'Pensham Elanor Young'1
Penstemon digitalis "Husker Red"1
Penstemon smallii1
penstemons5
peonies3
peonies with pollen1
perennial Ageratum1
perennial beds1
Perennial borders3
perennial collards1
perennial gardening1
perennial gardens3
perennial kale1
perennial leeks5
perennial onions2
perennial planting1
perennial vegetables1
perennials4
persimmons5
pesticides1
Petaluma seed bank1
Peter Rabbit1
Peter Rabbit Garden2
Philadelphus1
Phipps Conservatory1
phlox3
Phlox spp.1
phoebes1
Phu Quoc Island1
phytonutrients1
Piedmont Park1
Piedmont rhododendron3
Piet Oudolf5
Pigeon Mountain1
pigeons1
pileated woodpecker6
pilgrimage2
Pinnacle Peak1
pipevine1
pipevine swallowtail chrysalis1
pipevine swallowtails7
piracy1
Pistils nursery1
pizza1
pizza peppers1
Places of the Spirit2
planning a garden1
Plant a Row for the Hungry1
plant combinations1
plant communities1
Plant Delights Nursery2
plant diversity1
plant for sustainability1
plant labels1
plant poaching1
planting a new perennial bed2
planting beans and squash1
Planting fruit trees1
planting garlic3
planting herbs1
planting Kalmia1
planting more seeds1
planting more vegetable1
planting onions2
planting peas and onions1
planting potatoes1
planting potatoes in winter1
planting sprouted potatoes2
planting time7
planting times1
planting trees3
planting trees and shrubs2
planting vegetables1
planting warm season vegetables7
plantings1
plants and insects1
plants on tile roofs1
Plants that work for a living1
plants with meaning1
Plumbago1
poblano magnifico1
pocket meadow11
pocket meadows18
pocket meeadows1
Podophyllum peltatum1
Point de Peres1
poison ivy3
pole beans3
pollen1
pollen-collecting bee1
pollination2
Pollination Celebration2
pollinator1
pollinator borders2
pollinator friendly gardens9
pollinator plantings1
Pollinator-friendly gardening4
pollinator-friendly plants6
pollinators1
Pompeii2
pond sliders2
ponds2
poppies2
Poppies in Umbria3
porch view3
poricidal anthers1
Portland5
Portland gardens3
Portland Japanese Garden1
posting1
pot vignette1
potato onions2
potatoes3
potting areas1
potting benches1
potting sheds1
praying mantis1
praying mantis egg cases1
preparing garden beds2
presentations1
pricey produce1
Prince Edward Island2
Prince Edward Island National Park1
produce markets1
productive raised beds7
Professor Sargent camellia2
Promethea moth1
promoting pollinator-friendly plants1
Prunus mume1
public compost2
public landscapes1
public recycling3
Puglia1
Puglia coast1
pumpkins and gourds1
purple coneflower2
purple mustard2
purple potatoes1
purple-podded peas1
purples in the garden1
Pusa Rudhira Red Carrot1
pussy willows2
putting out onions1
Quebec45
Quebec City2
Quebec-grown produce1
Quelat National Park2
Quetal National Park1
Quetzaltenango3
Queulat National Park2
rabbits6
raccoon1
RAD Pollinator Celebration1
radicchio7
rain21
rain gardens5
rain gardens in the Southeast1
rainbow2
raised bed for vegetables7
raised bed gardening8
raised bed vegetable gardening14
raised bed vegetables1
raised beds18
raised beds for vegetables7
raised stone beds3
raisins1
rattlesnake master1
Ravello1
ravine forest8
ravine in winter2
Rebuilding Center1
recharging aquifers1
record heat1
recycled paper pots1
recycled window cold frames3
recycling4
recycling compostable2
red bor kale1
red cabbage1
red deer1
red fall colors1
red maple1
red maple flowers1
red mustard5
red oaks1
red-bellied woodpecker7
red-shouldered hawks6
red-spotted purple1
red-tailed hawk1
red-veined sorrel2
redbuds2
reducing plastic use1
reflecting on traveling5
Reford Gardens1
regional seed companies1
regional seeds1
remembering2
remembrance1
removing invasives1
Renee's Seeds2
renovating a border3
renovating a garden1
renovating a perennial garden4
Rensing Center1
restoration4
restoration of habitat1
restoring nature4
restoring the ecology of your backyard5
resubscribe email1
retaining wall1
return to winter1
returning home1
Rhododendron catawbiense1
Rhododendron minus1
Rhododendrons3
RHS Wisley1
rhubarb2
Rhus toxicodendron1
rich cove forests2
Richmond1
Rimouski1
River Arts District2
River Oats1
river otter1
river rocks1
Roan Mountain1
Robert Johnson1
Robert Johnson artist1
robin fledgling2
robin flocks5
robin nest1
robins5
robins and winterberries1
rock outcrops1
rocks1
Romano pole beans1
Rome2
root vegetables1
root-knot nematodes3
rooting tomatoes1
Rosa carolina3
Rosa rugosa1
rose1
rose cutting1
rose-breasted grosbeak2
rosehips1
roselle1
rosemary1
rotations1
Rothenburg ob der Tauber3
Rotorua1
Route of the Seven Lakes1
row covers3
Rubeckia1
ruby-throated hummingbirds29
Rudbeckia1
Rudbeckia laciniata1
Rudbeckia maxima2
Rudbeckia subtomentosa1
Rudbeckia triloba1
rue anemone1
Rue Franklin1
rugosa rose1
rust fungus1
Ruta 401
Ruta de Siete Lagos2
Sackville1
Sackville waterfowl park1
Saffron crocus3
Saint-Fabien sur Mer2
salad2
salad greens1
salad mix in flats2
salads1
Salento2
Salento sunsets1
Salsola soda1
salvaged windows1
Salvia4
Salvia 'Anthony Parker'1
Salvia coccinea 'Coral Nymph'1
Salvia elegans1
Salvia guaranitica2
Salvia leucantha1
San Lucas Toliman1
San Martin de los Andes1
San Marzano tomatoes1
San Pedro1
Sanguinaria canadensis7
Santa Cruz La Laguna3
Santiago Atitlan2
Sara Stein1
Sarah Price2
sassafras6
sassafras flowers6
sassafras fruits2
sassi1
saving tomato seeds1
scarlet runner beans3
SCBG17
SCBG Children's Garden2
Schizachyrium scoparium1
schoolyard habitats1
Schwarzwald1
SE drought5
Seaside goldenrod1
season extension5
seasonal change3
seasonal cycles1
seasonal ecology4
seasonal rhythms2
seasons3
Seatlle Fling1
Seattle1
second crop of tomatoes1
Second Spring Farm1
Sedum8
Sedum 'Autumn Joy'1
sedum bed4
sedum garden6
sedum mats1
sedum wall planting1
Sedum wreath1
Sedums13
Sedums. sedum bed6
seed bank1
seed catalogs3
seed companies1
seed feeders1
seed longevity1
seed packets1
seed saving2
seed sowing1
seed starting times1
seed swaps1
seed-starting1
seedlings1
seeds11
seeds for birds1
Seigli del Dei1
SERC1
service projects1
serviceberries3
SF Fling5
SF garden Bloggers Fling5
SF gardens2
shade1
shallots2
shed border1
shelf fungus1
Shortia galacifolia1
Siberian kale1
Sibley's Guide to Eastern Birds1
signs of fall5
signs of spring23
Silene virginica2
Silky Camellia1
Silphium perfoliation1
single flower shrub rose1
Skansen1
skiing4
sleet and ice1
slime mold1
slow-roasted tomatoes3
slug damage1
slugs1
small greenhouses1
small-scale gardens2
Smithsonian Gardens1
smothering English ivy1
snags2
snap peas3
snow21
snow echoes1
snow melt1
snow peas2
snowdrops5
Sochan1
society garlic1
soggy soil1
soil amendments2
soil moisture1
soil testing1
Soil31
solar in Germany1
solar lantern1
solar panels1
Solidago sempervirens1
song cycles1
Songs of Insects1
sorting seeds1
SoulMate socks1
sour cherries2
sour cherry harvest1
sources of native plants1
South American mountains1
South Downs1
Southeast natives1
Southeastern rain gardens1
Southern Appalachians8
Southern England5
Southern Exposure Seed Exchange1
Southern Hawthorn1
Southern Italy3
Southern Magnolia2
Southside Community Garden11
Southwestern Germany1
Sow True Seeds2
sowing early greens3
sowing early vegetables1
sowing lettuce4
sowing native wildflower seeds1
sowing peas1
sowing seeds5
sowing spinach3
Spanish lavender3
sparrows1
Speaking of Gardening1
species diversity1
Spello1
spiders3
spiderwort1
Spigelia marilandica2
spinach9
spinach seedlings2
Spotted Joe-Pye Weed1
spring29
spring azure butterfly1
spring birds3
spring bulbs1
spring crocus3
spring emphemerals2
spring equinox2
spring evening3
spring flowers5
spring gardening4
spring green4
spring greens4
Spring in the mountains1
spring migrants3
spring night hike3
spring peepers2
spring planting1
spring rains1
spring seedlings1
spring vegetable gardening3
spring vegetables8
spring wildflowers18
spring-like temperatures1
squash17
squash bees3
squash cultivars2
squash flowers2
squash in a cold climate garden1
squash seedlings2
squash seedlings and slugs1
squash seeds1
squash vine borers4
squaw root1
squirrel dreys1
squirrel or woodchuck?1
squirrels6
squirrels and radicchio1
St John1
St. Fabien du Mer1
St. Fabien sur Mer2
St. Lawrence River3
St. Louis de Kent1
St. Margen1
St. Peter1
Stanley Park1
Star Walk1
stars1
starting a vegetable garden1
starting potatoes indoors1
Staufen1
stealing blog content1
stewardship2
Stewartia1
Stewartia malacodendron1
Stockholm13
Stockholm archipelago1
Stockholm food costs1
Stockholm travel costs1
Stockholm walks1
stone raised beds5
stone walls1
Storza Woods1
straw1
straw bale gardening1
straw bales1
strawberries2
strawberries in winter1
street musicians1
street plantings3
street trees2
student plantings1
Stylophorum diphyllum1
subsidy agriculture1
subsoil1
suburban wildlife1
succession plantings for vegetables3
succulents1
suet2
sugar maples1
sugar snap peas5
sulfurs1
summer3
summer containers4
summer drought4
summer evenings5
summer flowering1
Summer fruits1
summer heat2
summer squash5
summer sunset2
summer transitions1
summer vegetables4
summer weather1
summer wildflowers2
sunflowers2
sunflowers at Biltmore1
sunny days1
sunrise3
sunset4
Sunset Terrace1
sunset views5
SuperSod organic compost2
supporting wildlife2
sus1
Sussex countryside1
sustainability7
sustainable agriculture2
sustainable agriculture. natural gardening1
sustainable food2
sustainable garden2
sustainable gardening12
swallowtail butterflies1
Swallowtail Gardens2
swamp milkweed4
Sweden2
Sweden food costs1
sweet potatoes2
sweetgum1
Swiss chard6
sycamores1
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae1
Symphyotrichum oblongifolium2
t1
tastier vegetables1
Tatume squash3
Tennis Ball lettuce2
Territorial Seeds1
test blogsy post1
thanks4
Thanksgiving2
The Forgotten Pollinators1
The Junction1
the last peaches1
The National Trust2
The Pocket3
the power of nature1
the power of water1
The Wave Garden1
The Winter Harvest Handbook4
thick-walled peppers1
thinking about gardening1
Thinking about gardens1
thistle feeder3
Thomas Jefferson's vegetable garden2
thunderstorms5
Tiarella cordifolia1
tiger swallowtails6
Tillandsia1
Timberline Lodge1
Time of Wonder1
time to plant2
tinda1
titmice3
tomatillos2
Tomato harvest2
tomato hornworm1
tomato pollination1
tomatoes13
tomatoes and peas1
Tongariro National Park1
Toolversed1
Toronto1
Toronto Evergreen Brickworks2
Toronto Music Garden2
Toxicodendron radicans1
Tradescantia2
transplanting2
transplants3
travel10
traveling25
traveling in Argentina7
traveling in Chile3
traveling in Colombia2
traveling in Cuba4
traveling to Cuba1
tree frogs5
tree ordinances2
tree pollen1
tree shadows1
trees2
trees in sunset light1
trellis gardening2
trellises1
Trevi1
Trillium cuneatum2
Trillium Lake1
tromboncino squash15
tropical fruits1
tropical juices1
trout lilies2
trout lily1
Trudeau Farms1
trulli1
trumpet vine2
trumpetcreeper2
tufted titmouse1
tuliops1
tulips13
Tulips. Colorblend bulbs2
turnip greens2
turnips3
turtles2
Tuscan kale2
U.S. National Garden1
U.S. Virgin Islands1
ugly vegetables1
Umbria12
Umbria sunset1
Umbrian grains1
UNCA landscape1
unheated hoop houses3
unusual early snow1
unusual weather1
Uppsala2
urban bears1
urban foraging2
urban green space10
urban landscapes3
urban wildlife1
Urtica dioica1
using an iPad for blogging while traveling2
using chives1
using leaves1
Uvularia perfoliata1
Valdivian forest2
Valentine's Day1
Valerinana1
Valle d'Itria1
Valle de Cocora2
Valle Umbra2
value of leaves1
Vancouver4
variable weather2
vase with dried flowers1
vegetable beds12
vegetable garden change-outs2
vegetable garden planner1
vegetable garden rotations4
vegetable garden seasons1
vegetable gardening31
vegetable gardening in Quebec3
vegetable gardens1
vegetable growing in Guatemala5
Vegetable harvest1
vegetable markets2
vegetable musings1
vegetable seed germination temperatures1
vegetable seedlings2
vegetable seeds5
vegetable sources2
vegetable transplants1
vegetable trimmings1
vegetable village1
vegetables10
vegetables and nutrients1
vegetables in New Zealand1
vegetables in small spaces1
Venus fly trap1
Vernonia3
Veronica1
Vesuvius1
Viburnum trilobum1
victory gardens1
Vidalia onions1
Vientiane1
Vietnam travels9
Vietnamese food2
Vietnamese herbs3
Vietnamese vegetables2
view1
views from the front door2
views from the house3
views from the window1
Vigna2
Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis1
vines1
vineyards1
vining baby butternut2
Violet Queen potatoes2
violets2
Virginia creeper2
visiting gardeners1
visiting gardens4
visiting German gardens1
Vista lectures1
voles2
volunteers1
vultures1
Wai-O-Tapa1
Waimangu Volcanic Valley1
Waimea canyon1
wait till the moon is full1
Walking iris1
Wamboldtopia1
wandering1
warm fall temperatures2
warm season vegetables9
warm weather1
warm winter2
warm winter weather3
Warm-season vegetables6
warning call of Carolina wren1
Washington DC gardens1
water3
water conservation4
watercolor pencils1
watercolors6
waterfall hikes4
waterfalls6
waterfalls and wildflowers3
Waterfalls and wildflowers in the Southern Appalachians2
watering1
waterwise gardening5
webs2
weeding1
weeding overgrown beds1
weeds3
weeds to natives1
Wek 11
Wellington1
Welsh onions2
West Asheville1
West Asheville Garden tour1
West Virginia2
western highlands Guatemala3
Western North Carolina farmer's market1
Western Pennsylvania1
What do you need to know to be a good gardener?2
what does a beginning gardener need to know?3
whimsical gardens1
White House vegetable garden1
white peaches1
white-tailed deer1
whole grain bread in Umbria1
whole grain crackers1
whole grain digestive biscuits1
whole grain muffins1
wholemeal digestive biscuits1
why do we garden1
why trees matter2
Wild asparagus1
wild asparagus in Italy1
wild chives1
wild ginger1
wild mushrooms2
Wild Ones Chattanooga1
wild plant foraging1
wild-collection of native wildflowers1
Wildflower ecology5
Wildflower hotspots1
Wildflower Wednesdays3
wildflowers5
Wildflowers and Plant Communities of the Southern Appalachian Mountains and Piedmont3
wildflowers and waterfalls2
wildlife2
wildlife diversity1
wildlife friendly gardening3
wildlife garden6
wildlife habitat1
wildlife-friendly gardening2
windfall apples1
window box1
window box plants2
window cold frames1
window gutter box plantings1
window nook2
Wing Haven1
winter8
winter afternoon light3
winter annual weeds4
winter annuals3
winter beeches1
winter birds2
winter colors3
winter flowers2
winter gardening4
winter gardens7
winter greens20
winter hardy greens1
winter hikes1
winter honeysuckle2
winter interest1
winter leaves1
winter leeks1
winter light9
winter night hike1
winter orchid1
winter plants1
winter protection1
winter snow4
winter solstice4
winter spinach3
winter squash1
winter sunset4
winter vegetable gardening9
winter vegetables13
winter views2
winter weather1
wire cloches from Gardener's Supply1
Wisteria frutescens1
witch hazel5
wood fern1
wood ferns2
wood-fired bakery I’m Umbria1
woodchuck holes3
woodchucks24
woodland restoration5
woodpeckers3
Woodstock House hotel1
Woody13
woody peonies2
writing1
writing spider1
WWI1
Xunil2
yard long beans5
yard waste1
yard-long beans7
year-round vegetable gardening2
Yellow Book1
yellow jackets1
yellow-bellied sapsucker3
yellow-rumped warbler1
YMCA Healthy Living Mobile Pantry1
young vegetables1
YourDay1
zinnias3
Zizia1
Zona Cafeterra1
Zone 61
zucchini1

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Fling 2026

I'll be there!

Creating an ecologically-sustainable landscape

Increasing ecological diversity

Considerations for your landscape

Creating a pollinator-friendly garden (short)

Suggested native plants for pollinators

Native Plants for Pollinators

Learning about (SE US) native plants

Suggested references about learning more: click image to view

Woody (2009-2023)

He had a great run.

Pocket Meadows

Click on the image for a pdf version of the presentation.

Pocket meadow handout

Click to view.

Creating a Native Woodland Garden

Click for the pdf version.

Small scale native plantings

Containers, too!

Native Woodland Garden plant list

Click image to connect to list

Steps to create a native woodland garden

Click for handout

Creating a naturalistic landscape

Natives for containers

Suggested plants

Year-round vegetable gardening

Click on image to view presentation

Sustainable Kitchen Gardening

handout

Home garden design references

Creating a landscape that you'll love

Tapping into the creative side of gardening

Click to see a recent presentation!

Creativity handout

Click to view the pdf version!

Not all those who wander are lost

exactly...

natural

adj.
1. present in or produced by nature
2. of, relating to, or concerning nature
3. conforming to the usual or ordinary course of nature

About this blog

I'm an educator, writer, speaker, and naturalist, active in outreach around a variety of topics. Visit my website for more information.

My blog posts span two gardens over the last decade, one in the Piedmont of South Carolina and the other in the mountains of Western North Carolina, and now a new-to-us garden in Bas St. Laurent, Quebec. Our gardens have been increasingly home to native plants, birds, small mammals, and insects of all sorts. My gardening companion (my husband) is equally the gardener.

Woody, our rescue Golden, had been our fellow gardener, in the mountains of Western North Carolina, with new duties in Quebec. He followed his previous fellow goldens (and my former gardening assistants): Mocha and Chessie. They brought life to our gardens.

gardening

v.tr.
1. to cultivate (a plot of ground) as a garden
v.intr.
1. to plant or tend a garden
2. to work as a gardener.

Natural Garden Design

Non-profit outreach through presentations and consulting

My companion blog

Places of the Spirit

Native woodland plant list

Recommended species

Wildflowers and Plant Communities of the Southern Appalachian Mountains and PIedmont

My gardening companion's first book

Waterfalls and Wildflowers in the Southern Appalachians

My gardening companion's second book: now available.

Designing with Plants

Click the image to view a pdf of the presentation.

About photos

I reduce the sizes of most images, but they're still bigger than what's seen on the blog (click to enlarge!)

Text and images are my original work, except where credited elsewhere. I'm glad to share photos with attribution.

Mocha (2000-2011)

He had a great run.

View from the living room

time to relax