Green manure

Trifolium pratense

Red Cover

On my walks, I sometimes see Red Clover used as a cover crop in raised vegetable beds. Here the creative homeowner planted his entire parking strip with clover. Most of the parking strips around here are just a neglected mix of dog-trodden grass and weeds.

Red Clover is a beautiful plant inside and out. It attracts pollinators and acts as a "green manure crop" because of its high nitrogen fixation. All mammals love to eat sweet clover, and it has many medicinal uses.

Anyway, after aimlessly wandering around, I've finally settled into a regular route for my 2-mile morning walk. Here in the suburbs, I could walk in any direction, which I suppose would be more interesting, but it seems to take more effort.  And in the end, houses are just houses.

There's something meditative about doing the same loop, whether you're out in nature or just on city streets. There's usually something new to notice, or you can just let lost in your own thoughts on automatic pilot. My iPod music keeps me company.  When I get back to the house, time for tea and a little morning snack before another exciting day begins.  Ha!