Down the Primrose Path

Garden. Walk.  Not.

Occupy 2012

Unlike other years, I have no New Year’s resolutions because by now, the third week in January, my good intentions tend to vaporize.  But I do have a goal and that’s to Occupy –to reside, live in, absorb, inhabit, engage, take up (however you want to define it)—as many moments as possible this year.  

My goal is to enjoy those moments in my garden away from the computer and from the constant “beep” or “ring” of some electronic device.  To take a few moments to watch and listen to what’s happening in the natural world—without the distractions that steal so many moments from each day.   

Under my umbrella goal of Occupy 2012, my garden-related plans include: 

• Seek inspiration: Go on more garden walks – local garden clubs host many walks from spring through fall.  
• Revisit the writings of Fred McGourty, Richardson Wright and Henry Mitchell. 
• Plant some new varieties of annuals—I want “Wendy’s Wish,” an annual salvia with a spectacular 
• Spend more time on the trails at The Morton Arboretum, especially on the west side when the daffodils are in bloom. 
• Make a point to explore each of the Chicago Botanic Gardens 24 display gardens to study one during each visit.
• Attend the Garfield Farm’s heirloom festival again where they display rare and specialty fruits, vegetables, flowers and herbs.  
• Bypass the pruners and take my journal and my camera with me into the garden.

This Garden Cooks!: Thoughts of the Garden in Winter

This Garden Cooks!: Thoughts of the Garden in Winter: This time last year, the snow was blowing and an entire panel blew off the greenhouse. But this winter has been different. We've had sev...

Thoughts of the Garden in Winter

This time last year, the snow was blowing and an entire panel blew off the greenhouse. But this winter has been different.  We've had seven weeks of incredibly mild temperatures.  The male cardinals are starting to sing and it won't be long until the great horned owls are hooting.  They start raising their young in the woods across from us in February. 

The winds are still howling and it's -4 degrees with the windchill, but in today's mail, we've received so many more seed catalogs that we must be close to 25 or more since November. What to order?  Whom shall we order from?  Are the seeds really all that different?  

All I know is that I want new annual salvias for all the hummingbirds that spend their summers in our garden.  Raised beds.  Some deer-resistant fencing.  And a little more time to spend with the flowers and veggies.  That's all I want for 2012.  More time.  

OCCUPY 2012 -- Monday's Musing

In the garden of the glass blossom.  From last year's garden walks....