Barbara J. Euser – författare

San Francisco Bay Area gardeners know that the region has its own unique rewards and challenges. The mild weather is ideal for year-round gardening, but chilly fogs, frequent droughts, heavy clay soil, and a host of microclimates can vex even the greenest of thumbs. Written by local master gardeners, this collection of articles addresses the subject of Bay Area gardening in a no-nonsense manner that places an emphasis on environmentally friendly solutions. The book covers important issues ranging from garden design and landscaping to improving soil and managing garden pests with minimal toxic chemicals. Topics include fire safe landscaping; planting under oaks and redwoods; drought tolerant plants; gardening for butterflies and songbirds; as well as individual garden species, including ferns, heucheras, fuchsias, and California native bulbs.

Imagine sitting down with a group of friends who are also expert gardeners. That’s the effect of this useful, accessible book, which features professionals sharing their knowledge of a wide range of topics including design and maintenance, tips on flowers, foliage, and garden produce, how to establish habitat gardens or low-water/low-maintenance ones, and controlling weeds and other pests. Here is authoritative advice on specific choices from alstroemerias to orchids, along with seasonal suggestions and ideas. The book's conversational tone gives inspiration and insider knowledge to enthusiasts at all skill levels.

"Floating Through France" is filled with travel essays, poetry and photographs, which capture the Spirit of the Canal du Midi. What was once a short cut for bustling commerce in the seventeenth century is now the setting for modern tales. This anthology takes the reader through a rich tour of the area with musings that are entertaining, educational, heartfelt, enlightening, and bubbling with humour. In "Matters of Trust," writer Ethel Mussen hands her bag over to a stranger and gets something else in return. Self-proclaimed introvert Ann Ure confesses how the camaraderie on the boat transformed her personality in "Personal Soundtrack." Writer and insomniac Christi Marcus finally gets some shut-eye when she tucks into her cramped sleeping spot below deck, as told in "Navigating Sleep."

Made famous by Homer, the stunning hillsides and islands of southern Greece seem to have been forgotten by modern tourists. This exciting anthology invites travelers to expand their itineraries beyond Athens and explore the territory once roamed by Odysseus. Filled with vivid accounts that transport the reader to the Peloponnesus, the collection depicts many facets of life in this beautiful region, from award-winning wineries to hiking trails, from household olive groves to ancient ruins. No longer threatened by the Cyclops, the island of Elafanisos is now a haven of beaches and tavernas. Monemvasia’s citadel is in ruins, but the town and surrounding vineyards thrive. The writers plunge into Greek village life with abandon, learning to sing folksongs and dance to the bazouki, and sampling local wines, olives, and savory dishes. Entertaining and poignant, the essays capture all the charms, both ancient and modern, of this delightfully undiscovered region.

Venturing in Ireland showcases an irresistible collection of true stories that transport the reader to an Emerald Isle of dynamic, youthful jubilation, folk music-filled pubs, and coexisting modern and traditional cultures in a land where ancient stone tombs predate the Pyramids. This anthology explores a variety of aspects of life in southwest Ireland, from luxuriant gardens to local stout breweries, from castles and ancient ruins to whale watching in the Celtic Sea. The writers plunge into the core of Irish culture, singing folk songs at a pub’s roundtable and set dancing in a small town’s hall. From Lismore Castle to Mizzen Head, they delve into the cultural riches of the Irish countryside, even meeting local nuns with an expertise in ancient stone circles.