Late Winter in the front garden

Swedish daffodils will even bloom in the snow, but they signal that Spring is around the corner!

by Richard L. Thornton, Architect & Thornton

Here in the Northeast Georgia Mountains, we have a very similar climate as the lower western slopes of the Cascade Mountains in the Northwestern United States, except that we get a lot more sunshine. Both regions are classified as Temperate Rain Forests and volcanic soil. However, our ferns, trees and shrubs tend to grow much larger because of the more intense sunlight.

The Uchees, Choctaws, Chickasaws, Creeks, Seminoles and Alabamas have an ancient agricultural heritage, so it is typical for our men to love growing plants and raising animals. I did the livestock thing for much of my adult life, but THAT is a 24/7 responsibility. So, these days my livestock thing is limited to herd dogs, who can hop into the back of the SUV or pickup and go along with you! LOL

You have probably noticed that the way I render Native American architecture and towns is very different than what one normally sees on archaeological reports and websites . . . My VR renderings are interwoven with their natural environment. It has been the same with my architectural career. Pack Square in Asheville, NC was the first project to bear my own architecture seal, but this was the first residential building with my architectural seal on it. The Burkhardt Family weekend retreat was constructed in 1980. It still is in good condition. despite being in deep forest and overlooking a mountain ravine.