Introduction
On 11/28/2019 I had a stroke. I have had a significant recovery, but I have a little more to do regarding to impairment of the Aphasia and Apraxia. I can understand everything, but it is difficult to talk, because I cannot put the right words together to be understood. (American Stroke Association)
Aphasia – Aphasia is impairment in the ability to use or comprehend words. It may cause difficulty:
• Understanding words.
• Finding the word to express a thought.
• Understanding grammatical sentences.
• Reading or writing words or sentences.
Apraxia – Apraxia of speech (verbal apraxia) is difficulty initiating and executing voluntary movement patterns necessary to produce speech when there is no paralysis or weakness of speech muscles. It may cause difficulty:
• Producing the desired speech sound.
• Using the correct rhythm and rate of speaking.
It is hard work to come back from this. But, I want to speak and start blogging. With my friends to rely on, I will begin to blog again at least once in awhile. I have a first blog complete and I will share it with you. When I have another one done, I will share it with you also. With friends, I can do it.
The Blog
Minnesota Homeowners will Bee-Friendly Yards

Reference my story in “Minnesota Homeowners will get paid to save Pollinators.” The State’s Board of Water and Soil Resources had 6,000 applicants for the first round of people who wanted to participate in the bee-friendly habitat program. They will pay up to $350 to plant pollinator gardens or to convert homeowners’ more traditional short-cut grass to promote a bee-friendly environment. Things are off to a very good start. (StarTribune)
Not mentioned in the StarTribune article is an anticipated concern of harming a bee-friendly habitat, through the use of fertilizers and pesticides starting in spring time and continuing through the fall. There would be a disastrous effect on the habitat for the pollinators, if there is continued use of fertilizer and pesticides. It is important to reinforce to homeowners to not use fertilizer or pesticides in their yards.
Hi Donna,
It’s so good to hear you’re back!
Brava!
Blessings and best wishes in your efforts to regain all ground.
So glad to have you back Donna! The hazelnuts are in bloom here in the Oak Openings and the chorus frogs were a joy to listen to this morning.
Welcome back Donna. May you continue to get better.
It’s wonderful to hear from you, Donna! Here’s wishing you a strong recovery. If anyone can do that, it’s you!
Hi Donna – it was nice seeing you at the Wild Ones conference in January and I’m glad to hear you are doing better. Keep strong!!!!
Good to have you back dear girl! I missed your posts.
Glad you are back and working on the blog again. We missed you.
Be careful and stay safe.
Donna,
You can’t keep a good person down. You have made a great comeback so far.
It’s wonderful to see your blog again. I hope you get better everyday.
Stay healthy in the latest challenge to our world, the coronavirus.
I’m sorry to hear about your stroke, Donna, but I’m glad you’re back!
I always look forward to your articles and learn a lot.
Best wishes as you continue to recover.
Great to see your posts again! Hoping work on the blog will help further your progress improving communication skills.
The timing couldn’t be better for those of us “self-quarantined” at home waiting for gardening season to arrive..
You are remarkable! How wonderful that you are continuing your blog and sharing your love of native plants and natural landscaping!
Wonderful to see your blog again. You are such a strong, intelligent woman, your condition must be frustrating to you. Wish I could hurry progress, but,YOU WILL DO IT. 💞
Good to have you back and getting better, Donna.
Welcome back! It’s great to hear from you. You are very brave. Sending best wishes and blessing across the miles!
Great to have you back. I missed your blogs. We learn a lot from the research you do. Best wishes for your continued progress.
So glad to have you back, Donna!
Welcome back, Donna! We’ve missed you and your inspirational and educational posts. So glad you can use your wonderful blog to continue to heal and practice your communication skills.
Nature helps to heal us from all of our adversities, including our current health situation. It provides beauty and gives us hope for the future. Gardening for nature is a bright, cheerful spot in our current stay-at-home days. Thank heavens it is spring and our perennials and native bees are emerging and the songbirds are returning.
You have the support of your friends and readers each and every step of the way, so keep up the good work and we wish you all the best!
Hi Donna! So happy to see you back online again. It’s good news to hear about your improvement, and we have no doubt it will continue day by day and week by week.
You always have so much good stuff to share, and we love that you can back to doing that again!
What a marvelous day-brightner—your blogs are cherished as are you, and your timing is perfect as the weather is starting to warm up.
You share a very valuable trait with native plants: very persistent which keeps us and our environment moving ahead.
Thank you, Donna!
I’m happy to oblige, Marty — Donna
Hi Donna,
I so glad you are willing to keep trying, working on getting better, and sharing your knowledge. I hadn’t seen your blog before and it is very nice.
Nice to have your board, Kathleen — Donna