Structural Design and Garden Maintenance

The job of a landscape gardener is a lot more than the initial work of design and creativity.  Most people think of landscape gardening as just that, the fun design part.  But as Raphael Steinberg has found – since he established Raphael Steinberg Landscaping more than two decades ago – there is a lot more to the job than that.

Once the design has been completed and approved and the work has been undertaken, the next step is long-term maintenance.  A good landscape gardener will put as much effort into that as they do into the design work.

Raphael Steinberg’s work has been recognized and valued by his clients for his particular attention to detail.  He initially works on the more structural part of the landscaping like paving and walls and thereafter moves to the more intricate details of lighting and outdoor furniture.  He also helps his clients focus on the beauty of the natural greenery that already exists which, he believes, leads to a more aesthetically pleasing creation of their outdoor environment.

Steinberg cannot emphasize enough the importance of maintenance, post-construction.  “Yes, the original design and landscaping is a very large project, but if that is not preserved properly afterward, much of the joy of the end product will be lost.  I suggest that your landscaper return to your garden once every two weeks for basic maintenance and then for more serious work, once every six weeks.  It really is worth it.”

3 Anxiety-Reducing Techniques

It’s a stressful time for people around the world. While we can all acknowledge the external stressors in our lives, we can still work to create internal stress-relief and to focus on our own peace of mind. Here are three ways that you may find stress relief in a supercharged environment.

  1. Yoga. Yoga is a great way to help you to relax. It is beneficial both for the physical body and for the mind. As explained in this article from CNN, even five minutes of yoga a day can help you to release some of the stress that you feel and to unwind before going to bed.
  2. Acupuncture. The benefits of acupuncture are extensive and it’s a form of therapy that has been used for thousands of years. While some people may be nervous about the idea of having someone use needles on them, acupuncture is really a very soothing activity and one that has many benefits.
  3. Meditation. There are many different ways to meditate and you can find a great deal of information online about how to start meditating. The idea here, similar to yoga, is that it allows you to clear your mind and to focus on something besides your worries.

Both yoga and meditation can be done from the comfort of your home for free. Of course, you can also go to a studio or join a group that will help you to do yoga or to meditate in a group. Acupuncture requires a bit more time and expense, but the benefits are well worth it for many people.

Night Exploration with your Kids

So many of us will be starting the school year (or have already started it) with at-home learning or a hybrid of at-home and school time. It’s more important now, than ever, to think of ways to keep the kids stimulated (and safe!) at home. In this article, freelance writer Terry Ward offers some interesting suggestions for taking a walk with your child at night.

While most of us tend to enjoy the quiet of the evening, and the chance to get the kids to bed early, nighttime may be the best time to explore your surroundings with your inquisitive child. This is a way to get outside and to listen to what the natural surroundings have to offer.

Ward is very careful to explain that this type of adventure has to be conducted with very little expectation – this is an opportunity to explore with your child without a goal in mind. Read the article and see if this might be an interesting addition to your new routine with your kid or kids. Just remember to bring bug spray and a light jacket along!

Potential Help for Those with MS

There may be new treatment available soon for those with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to results released by the University of California, San Francisco-led trail of Ofatumumab. This is a drug that alters the immune system, typically over the course of a year and a half.

More than 900 volunteers with MS were given shots of Ofatumumab and within the first year of treatment they had fewer flare-ups and their blood work showed encouraging results. In the second year, patients found no symptoms for 90% of them.

The company is currently waiting for approval from the FDA. Read more about the promising findings and the ways that it may transform the lives of those with MS.

The World’s Best Vineyards

If you love wine, or you just love the idea of being able to travel again someday, here are the recent winners of the 2020 World’s Best Vineyards awards. South America appears to be the place to be for the best vineyards, and therefore the best wines, in the world.

The awards are based on the nominations from a Voting Academy that is made up of 500 wine experts around the world. They have divided the world into 18 geographical locations with 36 experts in each to ensure that all regions have equal coverage.

Here is the list, with additional coverage by CNN in this article.

1. Zuccardi Valle de Uco (Argentina) *Best in South America*

2. Bodega Garzón (Uruguay)

3. Domäne Wachau (Austria)

4. Montes (Chile)

5. Robert Mondavi Winery (California) *Best in North America*

6. Marqués de Riscal (Spain)

7. Château Smith Haut Lafitte (France)

8. Quinta do Crasto (Portugal)

9. Antinori nel Chianti Classico (Italy)

10. Viña Vik (Chile)

11. Catena Zapata (Argentina)

12. Schloss Johannisburg (Germany)

13. Rippon (New Zealand) *Best in Australasia*

14. Delaire Graff Estate (South Africa) *Best in Africa* *Highest climber*

15. Weingut Dr. Loosen (Germany)

16. Ridge Vineyards, Monte Bello (United States) *Highest new entry*

17. Craggy Range (New Zealand)

18. Gonzalez Byass — Bodegas Tio Pepe (Spain)

19. Château Pichon Baron (France)

20. Opus One Winery (California)

Lego Challenges and More to Stimulate Kids This Summer

These are challenging times, and it’s not always easy to keep the kids occupied during these campless summer months. Here are some great ways to keep the imagination flowing and the kids occupied.

In this article, they offer Lego challenges and other creative ways for kids to stay engaged with creative thinking and to challenge themselves. There is an entire section on YouTube called Lego Masters that helps people to experiment with creative and exciting Lego Challenges.

Here is one video to get you started. There are many, many more where it came from!