Words Are Lacking While Plants Are Growing

Rarely in my life have I found it difficult to communicate my thoughts through written words…but now is one of those times. It’s not for lack of blog post ideas; rather, none of these themes seem appropriate just now.

“This changes everything!” is a cliché that’s literally true right now for the vast majority of humans—many of us for the first time in our lives. Pandemics and global tragedies have happened before, but few of us currently living have had our lives turned upside-down as we are now.

Yes, we will get through this, but avoiding acknowledging the seriousness of the situation simply doesn’t feel right to me. So, this is my nod to these difficult times.

My garden is slowly waking, and I’m sure this blog will be quite active as the growing season progresses. But today, in mid-March 2020, as this novel coronavirus spreads in my community, my country, and throughout the world, I’m taking a pause to reflect on what’s ahead.

Each new emerging plant and blooming flower brings a little more hope. Please stay safe and healthy, my friends.

Wordless Emergence

Allium 'Globemaster'

Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum)

Daffodil mix (Narcissus hybrids)

Allium 'Ambassador'

'Orchid Escape' Is a Good Name for It

Tonight is the coldest night of the year here. While we've had a rather mild winter, a little lobe of Arctic air decided to visit in mid-February--my least favorite time of the year in Southern Wisconsin, even without a subzero cold blast. I'm ready for winter to end.

So, a couple of days ago, I headed over to Olbrich Botanical Gardens' Bolz Conservatory to see the current "Orchid Escape" display that will be in place through February. The orchids are displayed in five scenes--earth, water, air, and fire--representing the four classical elements.



Displays provide excellent educational information.

But most of all, observing the diverse orchids in a warm place was a treat on a cold winter day. The orchids weren't labeled, or if they were, I didn't want to dig around to find the tags. So I hope you'll forgive me for simply sharing the photos of these beauties, without naming them.























"Orchid Escape" is a great display and a great escape, for sure.

Join Us for the 2020 Garden Bloggers Fling

Toronto 2015: I'm in there somewhere, along with all my new friends, now dear friends for several years.

I remember it well: my first Garden Bloggers Fling. It was in Toronto, Ontario, in June 2015. My husband and I drove there and made a little vacation of it.

I was a little nervous about meeting garden bloggers that I'd followed for several years. Many of them seemed larger than life, and I thought maybe I was out of my league. I worried that I'd feel like an outsider.

Turns out, I was wrong in so many ways. The Fling "family" welcomed me with open arms. It was like discovering my tribe--folks who enjoyed plants, gardening, touring gardens, traveling, making new friends, and--as I learned in subsequent years--reconnecting with old friends. And there were other newbies there, too, as there are every year (including this one).

I'm posting about this because this year the Fling will be in Madison, Wisconsin, (June 18-21) and I'm on the planning committee. Even though we still have so much preparation ahead of us, it's all coming together, and it's really going to be a fun Fling! I'll be busy, busy, busy for the next few months and also during the Fling, but I'm really looking forward to it.

Registration is now open!

Visit this link to learn more: gardenbloggersfling.blogspot.com. If you're thinking about attending, but you're a little hesitant like I was, rest assured--the Fling "family" is friendly and fun. And this is going to be another great Garden Bloggers Fling!