Rick's garden is more than a place; it is a sanctuary, an oasis nestled in the heart of California’s Central Valley. It is a refuge where peace and delight intertwine, where time slows, and where the soul finds respite.

Mornings in Rick’s garden begin with a cup of coffee, steam curling into the cool air as the first golden rays of sunlight filter through the leaves, dappling the ground in soft, shifting patterns. The scent of damp earth and blooming roses mingles with the rich aroma of the coffee, awakening the senses. Finches greet the dawn with their songs, their delicate notes carried on the gentle breeze, blending harmoniously with the rustling of leaves and the occasional distant hum of a bee drifting lazily from flower to flower.

Afternoons unfold leisurely. A glass of crisp wine cools my fingertips as I sit beneath the shade of an arbor draped in flowering vines. The air is thick with the perfume of roses—velvety petals bursting in hues of crimson, pink, and apricot. The sweetness of sun-warmed fruit lingers on the tongue, a perfect complement to the laughter of dear friends gathered nearby. Conversations meander like a slow-moving stream, filled with reflections, dreams, and gentle teasing, punctuated by the clinking of glasses raised in celebration of the simple joys of life.

Evenings in Rick’s garden carry a different kind of magic. The setting sun casts long shadows, its light turning everything to gold. The air cools, yet the warmth of shared stories and lingering embraces remains. The scent of night-blooming flowers drifts through the air, mingling with the fading traces of the day’s laughter.

It is in these moments, these memories, that I gather hope. In a world filled with uncertainty and chaos, I choose to focus on this—a rose captured in a photograph, a reminder of love, of chosen family, of the profound beauty found in the simplest of things. When I gaze at that image, I am centered. My attention shifts from the horrors of the world to its miracles. And metaphysically, I understand: what we focus on expands. So I choose to focus on these memories, on the love that grows, on the gentle laughter that sustains. I choose to nurture hope, just as Rick’s garden nurtures the roses, the friendships, and the spirit of all who step within its embrace.
​
~Wylddane

When I lived in Pacifica, CA, I always took a New Year's Day walk along the beach...it was a peaceful moment of connection with nature and a time of reflection. The coastal sunset, with the sound of the waves meeting the shore and the sky turning shades of gold and purple, was a perfect setting in which to pause, let go of the past year, and absorb the quiet energy of a new beginning. There’s something about the ocean, always in motion yet eternally constant, that mirrors our own lives: ever-changing but anchored in a rhythm of renewal. Walking along the shore as the sun dips below the horizon on New Year’s Day is a beautiful way to ground ourselves, to feel both the weight and freedom of time passing, and to recognize that each day holds the potential for something new and meaningful. The memory of those sunsets carry a sense of peace and hope that we can tap into whenever we need it.

~Wylddane