Well, Mary taught me not only what to plant in my garden to attract certain kinds of wildlife, she showed me what was already there: the weeds that suddenly turned into amazing native plants worth cherishing, the bugs, the shy small creatures I might have overlooked. Once she showed me a peeper. She was a generous advice giver-- telling me about everything from electric scooters to spice to her favorite reggae songs. I have been talking with people all day who just wanted to reminisce about all the ways she helped them appreciate the most marvelous basics of life: cats, food, plants, birds, song, books, and just being a good neighbor. She left us a lot to build on.

Here's to a great singer, a mischievous songwriter, and a fun, inquisitive, vital human being.

Oh yeah, here's to her wonderful husband.