Sailing through the garden on the good ship 'Rain Again'

Sailing through the garden on the good ship 'Rain Again'

gardening Humor spring

Dear Olive,

Greetings from the good ship 'Rain Again'.

We've had quite the journey through Spring so far. We've sailed along with six or more inches of rain in the last ten days or so, depending on which rain gauge you believe. My garden is thoroughly and unequivocably saturated from it all.

The cruise director on the good ship 'Rain Again' has kept me busy, more or less, while we've been

This Spring Weather is Not Going to Rush Me!

This Spring Weather is Not Going to Rush Me!

spring weeds

With temperatures barely reaching 60ºF after much warmer days the week before, I suppose you could call yesterday our dogwood winter.

That's what the old timers call a cold day in the spring when the dogwoods are in bloom.  Since I just called it that, does that mean I'm an old timer?

Perhaps.

Regardless, it was a chilly day.  I did go out long enough to find a clematis in bloom.  I don't

Perpetual Spring

Perpetual Spring

spring

Windflowers bloom as irises fade

"Hurry or you'll miss it!"

How does that sound for a rallying call for spring?

New flowers are coming up just as other blooms are fading and I'm running around trying to take it all in, begging Mother Nature and all the garden fairies to slow it down a bit.

Then I pause and remember I am planning and planting my garden to provide a perpetual spring and if I

Women's Day 2017 for Women by Women

Women's Day 2017 for Women by Women

International Women's Day spring Womens Day 2017

Over the last century, women and men have marched, demonstrated, and protested for women's rights in the workplace, home, and government.  Women's Day is a celebration of all that has been accomplished with women's rights, with a nod of respect to the past, and an encouraged look to the future.   

When the first Women's Day took place in 1909, women had very few rights.  They weren't guaranteed equal protection under the law, they couldn't vote, own property, choose a career, sue or be sued. Since then, things have changed here in the United States -- let's look at what women have accomplished in the last year:

•  In January, Women's Marches were collectively held in over 673 cities, with an estimated 4.9 million participants.
• The number of women world leaders—presidents or heads of state—have more than doubled by last year, according to the Pew Research Center.
• U.S. Women were the biggest winners in the 2016 Rio Olympics.  
• Movies about or by women in 2016 saw more nominations across the board than ever, including Hidden Figures, The Eagle Huntress, and the Ghostbusters.
• An article in Floral Management Magazine, entitled Daughters of the Revolution, revealed that "Nearly 52 percent of managerial or professional positions are now held by women."  This shouldn't be surprising -- according to Census data, since 1996,  young women age 25 to 29 have had higher college attainment rates than young men,  and now, the rate of women college graduates in now higher than men. Not only that, more women are getting MBAs, and this generation will be entering the job market as leaders.

While income parity and other rights are still being fought for in this country, and while women in abroad are still fighting for basic rights, we should be proud of what we have accomplished in the United States thus far, and we should honor those efforts and support our international sisters.  Celebrate what we have accomplished, and embolden each other for the future. Honor and hearten women in your life with a symbol of strength, beauty, and fortification.

In spring, flowers are the first to break through the cold, hard ground.  With beauty and grace, flowers lead the way out of winter.  Use flowers to honor the women in your life. Celebrate any woman who has inspired or encouraged you in the special way that only a woman can.

Happy Women's Day, and fight on.

Garden Fairies Cancel Celebration of End of Winter

Garden Fairies Cancel Celebration of End of Winter

garden fairies Humor spring

No one knew who put up the sign, but when the garden fairies woke up shivering, they saw it, set at an angle so the snow stuck to it.

Honoria Hellebore wiped the snow off and read it to everyone gathered around.

"The celebration of the end of winter has been cancelled due to snow."

When word of the cancellation reached Granny Gus McGarden out in the Vegetable Garden Cathedral, she nodded

In the spring, I need to see every flower

In the spring, I need to see every flower

bulbs spring

In the earliest spring days, which is really the last winter days, I need to see every flower. Yes, I feel like every flower that blooms needs a personal visit from me.

I need to see them all. I cringe at the thought that one of the many flowers that lies dormant in a bulb in the ground for almost a year since it last appeared should not be properly greeted when it blooms.

I worry that if I

Crocuses and Snowdrops

Crocuses and Snowdrops

books bulbs spring

I'm still on the look out for a good chocolate cupcake with chocolate frosting, one that is good enough to spend the time, money, and calories on.

But alas, the garden calls with more warm days in February than I ever remember, and I am of the firm belief that one ought to answer any call from one's garden. Therefore, the idea of the cupcake is on hold for now.

My snowdrops are blooming. I