Inspire Me Stories

Philip – San Diego, CA

Coming from Oregon, land of evergreen trees and lush valleys, I had a hard time adapting to the dry, desert climate of San Diego. The cactus and succulent garden that I created is a compromise between my need for natural, green spaces and the reality of the arid ecosystem in which I now live. The plants are either native or well adapted to a desert environment. The rocks were all found on the property and shaping them into a contemplative path seemed a nice way to slow down in an otherwise busy city. The design of the garden seat that I built is loosely based on simple, African chairs.  It is made from one long, thick board that I cut in half, drilled a long slot through the center and then created a tab that fit into the slot creating a 90 degree angle: perfect for sitting and very simple in design. Late in the afternoon, when hummingbirds buzz the nearby bottlebrush and lantana flowers and the warm temperatures start to drop, is my favorite time to spend in the space.