Let's Talk about Gardens

@funcountess Hey! I resemble that remark LOL In my defense, I say that anything green in my garden is a wonderful thing. Even if it is a weed!
Ginger

@funcountess My wife would marvel at my ability to spot a weed from long distances. I could not understand how she could not spot a "foreign" plant in our yard. And now as I am immuno-compromised I don't even bend over and remove the occasional sprout in our well groomed gravel yard which does include appropriate irrigated bushes and trees.

As far as the change from Seattle to Tucson, that was driven by She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed (high school sweetheart) who retired as a teacher in the Seattle area and wanted to go someplace warmer and sunnier. Tucson be that. In truth my life is one of big changes. I had two main careers; the first being an international arms merchant which was the result of my involvement in the Ronald Reagan (remember him?) defense build up, and the second, and last 25 years, in the accounting and consulting world. That culminated in my favorite position as a C-suite advisor particularly for new Fortune 500 executives and coaching them in their jobs. I loved that job and miss it horribly.

Motivational speaker? I suppose...I have been accused of having the cadence of a Southern Baptist preacher when speaking to large groups which was also part of my final years of gainful employment. Many of those listeners have encouraged me to write a book however most of my wisdom is gleaned from others. I doubt I have anything original to say. I was writing a book on my own heart journey but have stalled recently. I am hoping our forthcoming 100+ degree afternoons will create the opportunity for more disciplined writing.
Best always,
s!

@scottij, How lovely it would have been to have you for a neighbor. Seeing your lovely hanging baskets, weedless lawn and able to select the "just right" tomatoes would have been a treat! In west TX, both the Dallas Red and Dallas Gold lantanas are hardy perennials but some of the multi-hued varieties haven't proved as successful the following year.

Yes, to Laurie's, @artist01, response to your lovely word painting, @loribmt. Was going to respond but the click didn't take me to your post. (Think there are cyber gremlins at work...smiles) Like you, Lori, I am particularly drawn to the individuality and structure of bare winter trees.

@fiesty76 Thank you, Fiesty. I love your name, by the way! Definitely fits your wonderful outlook! The cyber gremlins have been alive and well today, at least at my house. They decided to keep me offline for the greater part of the day. Being a confirmed tree hugger, living in the forest is like being surrounded by friends. Breaks my heart when I see a logging truck. Our yard is heavily shaded and frequented by deer, so no flower gardens. We do have wildflowers most of the year in the forest. You said your forsythias are already in bloom. What are your favorite flowers? Do you have a vegetable garden as well?

Hey Lori, I see you are one of my allies in the war against clear-cut logging. One of my last major art exhibitions was a group show I organized with 25 Alberta artists, the theme of which was clear-cut logging. Very successful show, with 3500 people attending over the 3 weeks. CBC radio interviewed me, followed by a CBC TV mini-documentary.
I'll post 2 of my paintings if I can ever figure out how to do that. Best, Laurie

Lori - I just finished and posted the Order form for our Master Gardeners plant sale...was talking to my girls today about what we will order- including several flats of pollinator plants , herbs, and hanging baskets. We use a local grower who grows all neonicotinoid free seed, and we sell to our group at 30% over wholesale. My grandson can't wait to grow his own broccoli and carrots! And "green stuff for Tank" - their 75 lb rescue tortoise . Last year he kept his own pot of marigolds alive for 4 months. Now if I can teach him to weed!
Just thinking about the gardens makes me not mind winter so much.

Thanks, @loribmt. Yes those dang gremlins struck in force last week when I lost connections to internet, smart tv and....landline phone!! Hadn't realized how dependent I was for "cyber support/diversion" until the three day "fast" sent me to in-office local provider who scheduled a tech visit on...Saturday. Hard to believe but oh, the relief for getting "re-instated" with my favorite cyber sitters!!!

Yes to trees and the lives they support! My first gallery purchase was a lovely lithograph of bare trees overhanging a stream. Many years and purchases later, it remains my favorite.

How lovely to live near a woodland with wildflowers and the occasional deer visitor. I cringe at the thought of logging. Living in a city and arid southwest part of the country, we have to drive many miles to experience a forest.

Favorite flowers??? Oh my, that reminds me of our little 5 yr old's question to his mom when told a little brother was on the way: "But Grammer will always love me best, right Mom?".... Depends on the season, what survived the winter, what new treasure I've found to add...smiles. Can tell you my favorite hands down veggie though!

While it is always a pleasure to gather tomatoes, bell peppers, squash, cantaloupe, okra, green onions and herbs, Swiss Chard is the hero that continues to live and produce throughout the winter! A late introduction to chard by a neighbor, I was thrilled and amazed that my first seeds sprouted and flourished that first winter.

What are your favorites in the garden? Do you have valiant warriors that return year after year that provide the foundation of what you add?

@artist01, Fabulous that your Alberta show was such a success! Would love to have viewed that CBS mini-documentary.

Posting photos is beyond me but I Do hope you can post pics of your paintings. Congratulations on organizing the clear-cut logging exhibition. Laurie, we know that awareness is the first step and you are to be saluted for your success! Thank you.

@artist01. My husband lived in Oregon when he was younger. Married in the 70s we’d gone there for a honeymoon to see where he’d grown up along the coast. Then life happened and we didn’t return for about 15 years. We weren’t prepared for the devastation we witnessed with the clear cut logging. All those amazing sights of the ‘green carpet of trees’ on the rolling hills down to the ocean were gone! I’d love to see your paintings from your exhibition. To have over 3500 people attend in 3 weeks you, along with other artists obviously touched a raw nerve to generate that level of attendance.
Our home is surrounded by state forest on 2 sides. There has been logging starting all around us again. My heart is so heavy with knowing what’s coming. We have huge stands of 80-100 year old red pines which will be leveled. Ok I need to refocus my thoughts for the day! Diversion tactic. Hehe. See you on the walking trail today! Air hug!