I’ve been meaning to start my blog for quite a while and finally decided the time is now. My recent book, about creating and growing bonsai that bear an edible crop, Bountiful Bonsai, is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and most local bookstores. After 2 gardening books about bonsai, I’m switching gears a little to write about one of my major hobbies, home winemaking which I did introduce as part of Bountiful Bonsai. I’m about to sign a deal with Storey Publishing to write and publish the book Craft Wines. I will also write about my other interests including rock collecting, fishing, hunting, wildflowers and nature in general. Soon I will also publish an e-book version of my first book, Herbal Bonsai and a collection of philosophical essays titled, Hunting the Wild Quantum: The Adventures of a Hillbilly Savant.

I have a 200 case wine cellar going back to 1986 with 137 different wines, only 3 from grapes and several vintages of many of those wines. In particular, I’ve made blueberry wine 10 years in a row. The most memorable of which is a vintage I named Blueberry Bride. My then fiancé, Cathy, stomped those blueberries the week we got engaged and we then served that wine at our wedding reception. My most recent wine is Chamomile, in glass for secondary fermentation and a banana wine currently in primary fermentation. I have several vintages planned to start this fall, including some with hot peppers I am growing in the garden. Stay tuned for updates about my winemaking activities.