Kudos
On Oct. 1, 2023, I announced that I was retiring from writing the Sunday garden columns in The Spokesman-Review newspaper. I had written them for nearly 20 years and thoroughly enjoyed that part of my career.
Following that announcement, I received so many nice comments from folks, so I decided to highlight some of those kudos below. I’ve also included sweet comments from folks after I retired my bi-monthly newsletters on Dec. 1. Every other comment is in italics, in the hopes of differentiating them and making them easier to read. At least, I hope so! All of your kind comments have really touched my heart.
I also want to clarify that I will continue to post to my Facebook and Instagram accounts, shoot gardening videos and expand this website. So I’m not disappearing completely!
I’ve really enjoyed your newsletters and am very thankful to have received them. They helped me in many ways and I will miss them. Many, many thanks to you for all your hard work and dedication for producing such lovely gardens/orchard and crafts and your generosity in sharing it all with fellow gardeners. I will miss you sending your newsletters because it was always such a nice “surprise” to find them in the inbox. It was receiving a letter from a friend. Very joyful for me!! NG
I have so enjoyed your newsletters and adventures! I’ve learned so much. Your insect book has been invaluable for my home garden and our church pantry garden I started three years ago. DM
I have thoroughly enjoyed your newsletter. Thank you for sharing your love of gardening! DE
I will miss your monthly newsy report even though I am zone 8(7) on Whidbey Island. Thanks so much for all your wonderful entries… I feel like I’m having a cup of tea with you and talking gardening…all the best to both of you… DP
Thank you for your prompt responses to my many gardening inquiries. You’ve been a wealth of information for me as well as many others. I follow you now on Facebook, and will check your website from time to time. Looking forward to your next chapter on guiding us all in methods of growing veggies, fruits and flowers along with composting, pest control and seasonal focuses. SC
I am so grateful to you for your knowledge and passion for sharing in such a friendly and helpful way. I have learned SO much from you and will continue to. I wish you both some time to relax and reflect and be very proud of what you have accomplished, all the knowledge and experience you so kindly and expertly shared. I wish you health and happiness and all good things!! KS
I started watching your videos and reading your books and Spokesman column about 2 years ago. I’ve learned so much from you! I’ve concentrated on plants for my birds, bees and butterflies per your suggestion. Watching their activity in my small garden brings me so much joy. I thoroughly enjoy your bug book. I say enjoy because I’m constantly referencing your book to find the bugs on my property. Thank you for sharing your garden knowledge with me and so many others! Your column is going to be missed by so many. Best wishes in your next endeavor. GS
Thank you! We appreciate you sharing your wisdom and gifts. We look forward to seeing you grow and bravo for keeping it simple! It’s the secret to living life to the fullest. Much love and prosperity, friend! SH
Congratulations on your remarkable career. Spokane loves you! PS
Love your column and will miss it but we still have you and your fabulous website. JM
Thank you for all of the columns you have written. They are always so good. Thank you for keeping all of your other garden teaching activities going. I look forward to continued learning from your ongoing education. KA
You’ve beautifully educated, entertained and encouraged thousands of readers and certainly all of us who are blessed to also know you as friend. RG
Here’s to a job well done! Enjoy more time that is yours! Gardeners are good humans! KS
The column will be missed but we are so lucky to still have your books and photos and Facebook (I hope). You have given so much of yourself to everyone for so long and, I know you have lots of other things waiting for you. SD
Thanks, Susan, for sharing your tips, tricks, and science-based research. MS
You answered a garden question for me by email in 2008, which got my first raised beds off to great start. Thank you for the personal touch you provided readers. CJ
Susan! The Northwest and the paper will not be the same! Thank you for all you did for both. JS
Thank you for all your great columns! I cut out and saved many in my gardening file! Thank you too for all your free advice over the years. Great work! AB
Here’s to a job well done! I love your writing and will miss your columns. PH
OMG Susan, We will all miss you! You have been such a big part of my Gardening Life! I will know what to do without you! I Hope you have wonderful thing lined up for your Future. You have reached so many of us with your expertise!!! MA
Your columns will truly be missed but I totally understand your choice to retire. Now is the time to enjoy each day, moment by moment not having to rush for deadlines. I look forward to seeing your FB posts and your videos. I’ve become a much better gardener using all your information. KG
Thank you for all the wonderful and informative columns over the years. They were always something I looked forward to every Sunday. It just won’t be the same. LS
Congratulations on your retirement! I followed your column in the newspaper the first 6 years I lived in WA, met you and Bill at a Master Gardeners dinner, it was such a thrill….and sought your advice thru Facebook constantly. I use your garden planting chart every year, I bought my granddaughters first garden flowers from your suggestions, your local and unique planting suggestions, tips and tricks are immeasurable!! SK
I agree…gardeners are the nicest folks on the planet! Thank you for sharing all of your gardening “know how” with all of us. You are a Spokane Treasure. LS
I’ve so enjoyed and learned from your column, books and videos over the past few years. CB
I enjoy your friendly, neighborly writing style and the fact that geographically you are close (I am in Ellensburg)Thank you for the information you have shared. I will miss you! SI
You are such a sweet and kind person, thank you. CD
You’re a wealth of information and so willing to share what you know with others! I have learned so much from you and for that I thank you as does my garden! KB
You are a joy and a blessing. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. SB
You have made a HUGE impact on gardening in our area! You are a wonderful person who is gifted in many ways! Thank you so much for sharing yourself with us! MC
You are amazing! And we all hang on your every word! MA
Thank you for all you’ve done to help advance our gardening skills and to so generously share what you’ve learned. BW
I may be in Southern Ohio zone 6b but always talk about my friend Susan said… I know this is life and wish you a Happy and Exciting Retirement. You definitely will be missed. You have taught me so much. LB
Happy retirement and thank you for all you have done in helping the gardening community. LJ
Thank you for all of the columns you have written over the years. Your knowledge of gardening has helped us all. I will miss the weekly read. GH
You have been an encouragement and great source of gardening knowledge. CC
You have a gift of writing and positivity. Blessings on your retirement as you simplify your life. VWIt’s been great having a gardening expert right here in Spokane. NK
Congratulations on this next gardening chapter. I’m sure it’s hard to quantify how many of us you’ve helped. I admire your courage in knowing when to say when. DS
My heartfelt thanks go out to these kind folks, and the many more who took the time to send me their best wishes.