tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17053727883004195952024-03-09T18:45:59.779-08:00Postcards from the HedgeLife. Gardening. Travel. Trying. Making mistakes. Having a sense of humor. Being human. Postcards From The Hedgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08946298237280064798noreply@blogger.comBlogger420125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705372788300419595.post-91709758401330524732021-07-07T13:52:00.002-07:002021-07-07T13:52:17.800-07:00<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I planted a cutting garden just before the pandemic started - luck, not foresight. I was tired of paying through the nose for worn tired flowers at Trader Joe's and the local grocery store, tired of 4 a.m. trips to the flower market and feeling under water all day from the too early rise. So I went to <a href="https://www.sloatgardens.com">Sloat</a>, and to <a href="https://www.orchardnursery.com">Orchard</a>, got a bunch of 4 inch pots and stuck them among the artichokes and asparagus. Next to the fava beans. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Some thrived, some died. Some were no good as cut flowers so I dug them up and gave them away. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBri_M2nxaA_L1_DJ_tSU_xRqba_NAlYq9GEFXj5iud7H5gcUv4FCuBQDMQ6Hh-kPC3proomo3gMpiPPAZOuu91sZFuqYE0JElBKjg-Z4AU7pkRqPLb2A_m1D7QOj2NBdFD1hJXBAgckw7/s4032/1+IMG_3626.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBri_M2nxaA_L1_DJ_tSU_xRqba_NAlYq9GEFXj5iud7H5gcUv4FCuBQDMQ6Hh-kPC3proomo3gMpiPPAZOuu91sZFuqYE0JElBKjg-Z4AU7pkRqPLb2A_m1D7QOj2NBdFD1hJXBAgckw7/w480-h640/1+IMG_3626.jpeg" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br />But I've had a house full of flowers all year, and armfuls to give away to friends. The best part of having a cutting garden is sharing with friends. The second best part is cool early mornings wandering around the garden with a cup of tea and some shears - <a href="https://felco.com/en_us/produits">Felco</a> please - and saying good morning to beautiful things.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This morning there were flat heads of pale peach yarrow, long cones of white butterfly bush (buddleia to the horticulturists), and, as I was nearing the top of the loooooong stairway to the garden, some bright white hydrangeas. After I caught my breath, I laid them all out on the table.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8pKmzEIibU0ZBYBThbnZ3_4hs5Odaeq9jIXXDnQ0x4eGzXA3HiZqG5KOaGB4dpL0wLvVswbWc4Txsa6aZcl6eZXfJxsgV9TBAERWzg79DxSOcisQ5FAXMIzFc7tQF4IoiTm2XePGyclP/s2048/2+IMG_3632.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8pKmzEIibU0ZBYBThbnZ3_4hs5Odaeq9jIXXDnQ0x4eGzXA3HiZqG5KOaGB4dpL0wLvVswbWc4Txsa6aZcl6eZXfJxsgV9TBAERWzg79DxSOcisQ5FAXMIzFc7tQF4IoiTm2XePGyclP/w480-h640/2+IMG_3632.jpeg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I love arranging outside - you can drop stem stubs on the floor, or sweep the table clean with one hand and walk away. When the detritus has wilted, I sweep it into the garden beds for mulch. Yes, with a broom. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Tall flowers need a tall vase. This jar usually sits on a table by the couch where we watch TV. I'm trying to use things I own and never think of for flowers, using things I already have not just for display (and dusting). I left the lid in the house - I'm on a breaking things binge, humbling for someone who prides herself on Never Breaking Things. Humility is a tough taskmaster.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nGQqvU7MBEjEUoKP6_cFq9Gz7zs1kX2_AbZWohuNWxr7dBL1ziuYT5M1_Qs9eRQrgT9hUxLPgl1jF8_im-FPzsJSuyY-6HxMg4QAWMN-Qd7dfz_HWQClB6NR4QjUsQSt0vLEffpywQOz/s4032/3+IMG_3633.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nGQqvU7MBEjEUoKP6_cFq9Gz7zs1kX2_AbZWohuNWxr7dBL1ziuYT5M1_Qs9eRQrgT9hUxLPgl1jF8_im-FPzsJSuyY-6HxMg4QAWMN-Qd7dfz_HWQClB6NR4QjUsQSt0vLEffpywQOz/w480-h640/3+IMG_3633.jpeg" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Stems need to be stripped or the leaves will foul the water. This is Yarrow - before and after.</span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtpuwvdhuTXTmuI-6O0yrPCEQWwyEhyphenhyphen0fGD4xR9CnnEvPYeExzjZvrDBZvX42oBqr2VHbplosfia1BUVlCE1VotrOZ-62tYhWz_dzYOhH5raSOnsCQVymoCqk5krY597LhB4R38xu2qFqW/s4032/4+IMG_3636.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtpuwvdhuTXTmuI-6O0yrPCEQWwyEhyphenhyphen0fGD4xR9CnnEvPYeExzjZvrDBZvX42oBqr2VHbplosfia1BUVlCE1VotrOZ-62tYhWz_dzYOhH5raSOnsCQVymoCqk5krY597LhB4R38xu2qFqW/w480-h640/4+IMG_3636.jpeg" width="480" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Re-cut the stems and dip for one second into <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Floralife-Smither-Instant-Hydrating-Treatment/dp/B00ALXH2FW/ref=asc_df_B00ALXH2FW/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198099762925&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10921231290634806914&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9032019&hvtargid=pla-350149996751&psc=1">Quick Dip</a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2r3OZe6Q2eVNJ0iNLIH6CmF4LKFFUtxW7P8thi7XAy5m-2XJ-mi0jSIHLelUhxBqWHd7th_RYXZtwSqriwHRa6R3j2w-3MgX0rNxk4CgKR8eCGaz9Nzjq0DtpX2QXIEe3oQmE9dVCyye/s2048/5+IMG_3638.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2r3OZe6Q2eVNJ0iNLIH6CmF4LKFFUtxW7P8thi7XAy5m-2XJ-mi0jSIHLelUhxBqWHd7th_RYXZtwSqriwHRa6R3j2w-3MgX0rNxk4CgKR8eCGaz9Nzjq0DtpX2QXIEe3oQmE9dVCyye/w640-h480/5+IMG_3638.jpeg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hydrangeas get the same leaf stripping </span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ujReBBabItROxPfreGv2SlVLYYKh5Xw1hyzZ3XFcn5C1BQY6zzxYkIw9HftOd1PQBYCgq8GOLVnW55FHYT35fafABZJGrFeI9T8Hiktdcfz25WsZ_L3gsgZF3BfZqHIIjYUv42HdxFjm/s2048/6+IMG_3639.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ujReBBabItROxPfreGv2SlVLYYKh5Xw1hyzZ3XFcn5C1BQY6zzxYkIw9HftOd1PQBYCgq8GOLVnW55FHYT35fafABZJGrFeI9T8Hiktdcfz25WsZ_L3gsgZF3BfZqHIIjYUv42HdxFjm/w480-h640/6+IMG_3639.jpeg" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9NZxb8DriSlq-j5e_MivSuIC2p4Qq3IF51eqidLOebsLmcWn4SQhQ6NZ9HCROfMzoxxxzsCPaoO4h0RhZtP-RsgibaF9iNt16nANednLNRATaMwdX_8IMkM-R2eaYmksv7HDC9V6YDTg/s4032/7+IMG_3640.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9NZxb8DriSlq-j5e_MivSuIC2p4Qq3IF51eqidLOebsLmcWn4SQhQ6NZ9HCROfMzoxxxzsCPaoO4h0RhZtP-RsgibaF9iNt16nANednLNRATaMwdX_8IMkM-R2eaYmksv7HDC9V6YDTg/w480-h640/7+IMG_3640.jpeg" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">but get a dip in something else: Alum. I got mine at Shibata; you can get yours at the local pharmacy.</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzzpoDF8Iqvey3Bar8PHw19npPTACkqe2ev1LWx-n4mujHSPoY0ILNVfPgtSPAVpZniO7iHaeYtidKT5ZA-_Bo5K_qQ9X34_G4LV5PKwAap1HbhhgIGkPr8_fwqxNK0ioWdCzwaxNf4_V/s2048/8+IMG_3641.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzzpoDF8Iqvey3Bar8PHw19npPTACkqe2ev1LWx-n4mujHSPoY0ILNVfPgtSPAVpZniO7iHaeYtidKT5ZA-_Bo5K_qQ9X34_G4LV5PKwAap1HbhhgIGkPr8_fwqxNK0ioWdCzwaxNf4_V/s320/8+IMG_3641.jpeg" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgevkjFXxuTc5Ol4WF8sDVJpGZgAxmC9d1sJeeJpQSLz6aeiMmUe_kJJtI_scZkzXweRor5nXW_r5yZqEfKEkCO09remt82uh08WuxK_knK0-vj4YqO6067KP11KqrHB7_h4fkgXx3gCO1_/s320/9+IMG_3642.jpeg" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">I started with the yarrow around the rim. Then the hydrangeas. Crossing the stems to form support for the eventual tall flowers.</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgevkjFXxuTc5Ol4WF8sDVJpGZgAxmC9d1sJeeJpQSLz6aeiMmUe_kJJtI_scZkzXweRor5nXW_r5yZqEfKEkCO09remt82uh08WuxK_knK0-vj4YqO6067KP11KqrHB7_h4fkgXx3gCO1_/s2048/9+IMG_3642.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNMmmuo9BK7OZXKPwp-rUpCLUOcgdYzljkHA1IAAaWRZNob3FMmJcHJSl9xg6-hOwthWDUAsyOvkM4bSSx1fkGBbaWqGZo6a0EQwWaiLQzdnlmvch5dFZfDZTsTpHAdu2zcgLomI3wg0x/s2048/10+IMG_3643.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNMmmuo9BK7OZXKPwp-rUpCLUOcgdYzljkHA1IAAaWRZNob3FMmJcHJSl9xg6-hOwthWDUAsyOvkM4bSSx1fkGBbaWqGZo6a0EQwWaiLQzdnlmvch5dFZfDZTsTpHAdu2zcgLomI3wg0x/w480-h640/10+IMG_3643.jpeg" width="480" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Be sure to turn your arrangement as you work. Some people use a cake frosting turntable. I don't want more gear, I want more simple. I use my arms. And as my sister Carol reminds me, "Weight bearing exercises are good for older women." When did I become one of those?</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMl5J_GpXFpaIiEc36CgECBssYoEnOSDdZZNmB9uItopzo1r-R575PAmWg_nIiRUjlqUM-T5WXN2ECOMEWgRI6Y9YdhF5kdZ3kBdI9LJinLhw0IFx-ZZ32x8KNy8rWbBRi3wnHspuCDJVH/s2048/11+IMG_3644.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMl5J_GpXFpaIiEc36CgECBssYoEnOSDdZZNmB9uItopzo1r-R575PAmWg_nIiRUjlqUM-T5WXN2ECOMEWgRI6Y9YdhF5kdZ3kBdI9LJinLhw0IFx-ZZ32x8KNy8rWbBRi3wnHspuCDJVH/w480-h640/11+IMG_3644.jpeg" width="480" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It looks ratty at first. Trust yourself, don't take stems out and fuss. Just keep going. It will work. You will know what to do to make it come together. No Fussing!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last thing to go in - the tall white buddleia. It seems this curved stem should drape out of the vase - don't do it. Make some of the stems face in. Like this one. Much more interesting. Less FTD. </span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJOsSlXS2Lb8iKiEkpAYmVel2WzTlH9X2udhGwYP0k6CazaM232VtG2YFcdkaRKNfNTI7IP7v-EDTkoOSZH9oB5faLqfz9y02iggEJoc10dN5HdvCu5-d1hUM3kIXPYZYj3ipGCqE8ibgt/s2048/12+IMG_3646.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJOsSlXS2Lb8iKiEkpAYmVel2WzTlH9X2udhGwYP0k6CazaM232VtG2YFcdkaRKNfNTI7IP7v-EDTkoOSZH9oB5faLqfz9y02iggEJoc10dN5HdvCu5-d1hUM3kIXPYZYj3ipGCqE8ibgt/w480-h640/12+IMG_3646.jpeg" width="480" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">See?</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWurzeaUIWoVT7JtjF6_7F6rPrfUznqhpSc7U4wXaV0HZC2yuzyadHgsTI7NHBFj6VyxhQKaO_f5XEBDKxogD_6zPeNjYx4U7y2XGWnkx2LKGGWjJEwZS-Z2iL8vuho_7sL-5D2rDm_9vJ/s2048/13+IMG_3647.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWurzeaUIWoVT7JtjF6_7F6rPrfUznqhpSc7U4wXaV0HZC2yuzyadHgsTI7NHBFj6VyxhQKaO_f5XEBDKxogD_6zPeNjYx4U7y2XGWnkx2LKGGWjJEwZS-Z2iL8vuho_7sL-5D2rDm_9vJ/w480-h640/13+IMG_3647.jpeg" width="480" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I decided not to use these extra large extra tall blooms. They were too big. I made another arrangement in a mason jar for a friend. </span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJ5cBkr41xf5sb9YLx9TFRLQiLZ_Ay9F0IRAmmmiL7HxJIvO1ByyMtFiATX-EaykcL_SE9ZkqigNiashCLIbHGCjrYpRgAvB1AacD8VGL5vbSyXU09bPda38tZKXp27VOTknjGu4JdBY5/s2048/14+IMG_3648.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJ5cBkr41xf5sb9YLx9TFRLQiLZ_Ay9F0IRAmmmiL7HxJIvO1ByyMtFiATX-EaykcL_SE9ZkqigNiashCLIbHGCjrYpRgAvB1AacD8VGL5vbSyXU09bPda38tZKXp27VOTknjGu4JdBY5/w480-h640/14+IMG_3648.jpeg" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoIKxPkBm81sbEdN58-8CCsFZApTDOpaibxVyDN8GXwkFl9-9NKSW7uY730sbyC2Wq8K5w0GY5i4Dl48-UvdkCcu_-bSmfYYvnep-G0QOh1c4lSSM_n5EIG_E_p57sqQBa5cZuWvXsdZfD/s2048/15+IMG_3649.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoIKxPkBm81sbEdN58-8CCsFZApTDOpaibxVyDN8GXwkFl9-9NKSW7uY730sbyC2Wq8K5w0GY5i4Dl48-UvdkCcu_-bSmfYYvnep-G0QOh1c4lSSM_n5EIG_E_p57sqQBa5cZuWvXsdZfD/w480-h640/15+IMG_3649.jpeg" width="480" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Finished! </span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRHXo3xhJcGQnIwMEV2Z_ydE8sk0eTZT6NgvCnCz4Mo6CXSHDKwtRhnZwGc0OYABSD6b3zH_N3D27NneFBTFZEsuyTKqiX7GOVOUVMeEp8X8O5xnK1G_AuSltG76ZajBm9eSXaulGv2Fp/s4032/16+IMG_3651.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRHXo3xhJcGQnIwMEV2Z_ydE8sk0eTZT6NgvCnCz4Mo6CXSHDKwtRhnZwGc0OYABSD6b3zH_N3D27NneFBTFZEsuyTKqiX7GOVOUVMeEp8X8O5xnK1G_AuSltG76ZajBm9eSXaulGv2Fp/w480-h640/16+IMG_3651.jpeg" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaASv8o46rMHlyPRcTl06EBqEgC3F-xNnBEpgnxQbNEFjdxgNt2uGejL-0dqN5kHPtYQsc07KPP63d1tvk5FtGY7YBvp0_QlFa6b5J0b_fjakiB1Mnhyphenhyphen3SSduF6N1IvnlhkVtTFUaYe4I1/s4032/18+IMG_3653.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaASv8o46rMHlyPRcTl06EBqEgC3F-xNnBEpgnxQbNEFjdxgNt2uGejL-0dqN5kHPtYQsc07KPP63d1tvk5FtGY7YBvp0_QlFa6b5J0b_fjakiB1Mnhyphenhyphen3SSduF6N1IvnlhkVtTFUaYe4I1/w480-h640/18+IMG_3653.jpeg" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Be sure to let your flowers rest in a cool dark place for a few hours before you set them out in the house - they will last lots longer. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And while I was in the garden I noticed the garlic tops were completely dry. I'd tucked garlic in next to the Shasta daisies, beside the tomatoes, around the dahlias. So I dug them up.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm thinking garlic and cream sauce for pasta - if it turns out I'll share a recipe. No, I don't have one. I'm gonna wing it. Cream, butter, black pepper ... maybe a squeeze of lemon at the end? and pasta from <a href="https://www.communitygrains.com">Community Grains</a>. The Best. I'll never eat regular pasta again. Thank you Bob Klein </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8A3hkKzD9nx0ib2K6hJTxHqNMd_VgC9EQ3oncYBKRFecsHWmJ7vSS-W4r7bnVLDwxf-o3lK77RQV2dVeryetnuMm2wsiTifFOoe-loOz8qk8opHA7IfIdwX3z_kG0HSGRFlhwiYOGCxAx/s4032/22+IMG_3635.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8A3hkKzD9nx0ib2K6hJTxHqNMd_VgC9EQ3oncYBKRFecsHWmJ7vSS-W4r7bnVLDwxf-o3lK77RQV2dVeryetnuMm2wsiTifFOoe-loOz8qk8opHA7IfIdwX3z_kG0HSGRFlhwiYOGCxAx/w300-h400/22+IMG_3635.jpeg" width="300" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>Postcards From The Hedgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08946298237280064798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705372788300419595.post-27580344750659931642020-09-24T22:29:00.002-07:002020-09-24T22:30:13.152-07:00Happier Dahlias<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I have grown dahlias - not very well - for years. Inspired by a huge bouquet in my friend Ellen's kitchen, I was thrilled when she told me how easy they are to grow...ha. For her. She has deep rich soil and endless patience.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">My first attempts came roaring up and keeled over, the stems covered with buds broken off. I felt reproached. And responsible. So I staked... and I got a few flowers. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Ellen told me her dahlias get bigger every year. I left them in the ground over the winter, looking forward to armfuls of flowers the next year. Bad idea number two. We don't freeze, but we have sticky clay soil, and the next spring there was not one dahlia left. Well, one - the indefatigable Thomas Edison, photos in prior posts. He is the one thing that kept me from giving up, and every time I see those purple flowers waving above the foliage I feel better. About everything.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The next year I tried digging them all up in winter ...they were already mush. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I cried. Note to self: dig before the rains come.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The following year I dug them in fall, before the rains came. Laid them carefully wrapped in newspapers in wooden crates in the garage...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Better. But lots died in storage, and lots didn't sprout in spring. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I have tried staking. I have pinched - apparently not enough, for the few dahlias I haven't managed to kill (Thomas and one other nameless hot pink) are taller than I can reach. And I'm tall. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">So when my friend Meher and I had the chance to visit <a href="https://www.thehappydahliafarm.com/about">The Happy Dahlia Farm</a> in Petaluma I was - you guessed it - happy.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's called the </span><a href="https://www.thehappydahliafarm.com/about" style="font-family: georgia;" target="_blank">Happy Dahlia Farm</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> for good reason. Long rows of gorgeousness in a rainbow of shapes and colors greets you. I was stunned. </span></span></div></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW98b3U9I4r5TQlUGBHBMH2qx0IzpVpp9bqf5eFkuiKhYzZteyswn3ukGbhoRIagz2bLejiDR5kjDKKsAl3FtcwKLOjtP4_z54PewewOfe_el5jX8-t3ZkprzhmTt2ApW8dN5XZSi12BDB/s2048/d+orange+all+shapes.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="755" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW98b3U9I4r5TQlUGBHBMH2qx0IzpVpp9bqf5eFkuiKhYzZteyswn3ukGbhoRIagz2bLejiDR5kjDKKsAl3FtcwKLOjtP4_z54PewewOfe_el5jX8-t3ZkprzhmTt2ApW8dN5XZSi12BDB/w566-h755/d+orange+all+shapes.jpeg" width="566" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">There are so many shapes! Cactus, pompon, dinnerplate. Waterlily, orchid, peony. The smaller the flower the more the plant produces. I confess a soft spot for dinnerplates, but the 4 to 6 inch look best in a vase. And play well with others. And don't break the stems with the weight of their heads. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDOqQtFCKCYf3HunSKPk18FOlyr21utiMDRo_MyoIt2ztMBXuReMH4Es4idegecc-02dZr9aGeqZYiAnxNmcgPIy5O1inH-uUPS2TdLToMOxD2-x_5f7XR7AMPb0YHf_A8U4GuAIDIjgj/s2048/D+breakout.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="776" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDOqQtFCKCYf3HunSKPk18FOlyr21utiMDRo_MyoIt2ztMBXuReMH4Es4idegecc-02dZr9aGeqZYiAnxNmcgPIy5O1inH-uUPS2TdLToMOxD2-x_5f7XR7AMPb0YHf_A8U4GuAIDIjgj/w582-h776/D+breakout.jpeg" width="582" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">I fell in love with this creamy blowsy dahlia, only to learn she is one of the most difficult. Figures. I may still try, but I won't get my hopes up.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3mRW-RZNj6vO5EmHKbpAJssarLPWmCafI4qNfEFCZ6JL2YXzxhVvN0KouwoUt8bdSNGL9MtVcDG6V1FnQrtVnbtyxHIpM3-c0nOWYIUkBenIo0YmmzZuzXk75xgi4d4fPwtBquTKM64xw/s2048/d+break+close+up.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="758" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3mRW-RZNj6vO5EmHKbpAJssarLPWmCafI4qNfEFCZ6JL2YXzxhVvN0KouwoUt8bdSNGL9MtVcDG6V1FnQrtVnbtyxHIpM3-c0nOWYIUkBenIo0YmmzZuzXk75xgi4d4fPwtBquTKM64xw/w569-h758/d+break+close+up.jpeg" width="569" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">At the Happy Dahlia Farm they plant their dahlias 12 inches apart in the row, in double rows with the rows 14 inches apart. They are supported by each other, and by wires about 2 feet off the ground. None of the ugly staking I've been living with. And they have left comfortable aisles between the double rows. For walking, for cutting. For dead heading. For admiring. For daydreaming.</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMpWjY9RMSb_Xwg9t-Oo7_pAowN5BKvWojd_zgUq81MxTJS7HHHIngJozBxKce_j3UdiJqDEepMUAmbndQZI7jB1nwiAPGRWikShs_G-ARCMwly9nitb8hzOUs1XkRF-nLmTRS3hbEint/s2048/D+half+open.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="760" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknnP_Z9Vj5yy-w5q5tgCJOSXlui5ZUMuURogbOvVlNpJgmL4xYFYBIJN5OZq7t_rEtTlOgbaMwac1KTFsxzld4XFVWOBITN7Wrd5eqjgWgrIskfEtXW30rDX26ve8epA1Bybp2S_XRqjR/w570-h760/D+half+open.jpeg" width="570" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Half open..</span>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUfwdEb4ccsDscATrR6HSyKESI8pC3ObReFGmaks1DqYMZhxFRAjhgy6fbL5FN7GVwsSX6MEe2xsBG4YpJDuqPUbHbIXG13ZmyFTPs1npQZuE4qUhMnRmMdDERPYYMKwmEhZco_cK7BE_L/s2048/D+hot+pink+burgundy.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="686" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUfwdEb4ccsDscATrR6HSyKESI8pC3ObReFGmaks1DqYMZhxFRAjhgy6fbL5FN7GVwsSX6MEe2xsBG4YpJDuqPUbHbIXG13ZmyFTPs1npQZuE4qUhMnRmMdDERPYYMKwmEhZco_cK7BE_L/w514-h686/D+hot+pink+burgundy.jpeg" width="514" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Or in full glory. Every time I turned there was another stunner. I fell in love with this combination of colors. I'd like to upholster a couch in these colors. Or maybe paint a tiny bathroom. So happy.</div></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdbebVUVZ2lM25JVmMIl_w_0MyFJIT8KKpar1Y6-lj34d6bZXFzbv_-seIe9zO4oIQQwz9BB1duM447kaI_BVSbGElQ3eZz__gELhki7Pp66SahyveUtZh1_IqSwZYpamZFhbHMmlWeEe7/s2048/d+yellow+orange.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="665" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdbebVUVZ2lM25JVmMIl_w_0MyFJIT8KKpar1Y6-lj34d6bZXFzbv_-seIe9zO4oIQQwz9BB1duM447kaI_BVSbGElQ3eZz__gELhki7Pp66SahyveUtZh1_IqSwZYpamZFhbHMmlWeEe7/w499-h665/d+yellow+orange.jpeg" width="499" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpfZyFPaZdjYyug6-U4G-wNVyXGB5wmFTdi3YLz27Qe8r_2ohTErAeyHmggP_K1l7aXHEoIIB7j-qfG6u9VZFbZ40_cwqvz0YjHSXk53dZonKz-MkS5-uBP69eGeyJcd3riDu6_542eoip/s2048/d+picnic.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpfZyFPaZdjYyug6-U4G-wNVyXGB5wmFTdi3YLz27Qe8r_2ohTErAeyHmggP_K1l7aXHEoIIB7j-qfG6u9VZFbZ40_cwqvz0YjHSXk53dZonKz-MkS5-uBP69eGeyJcd3riDu6_542eoip/w597-h448/d+picnic.jpeg" width="597" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">You can bring a basket and have a social distance picnic. You can stay as long as you'd like. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">You can buy plants and cut flowers. They sell a few tubers, but plants are a surer thing. They have a newsletter with advice and events. They are happy people, these dahlia lovers, and will answer endless questions. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">You cannot, however. cut your own. It looks perfect because people who know what they're doing tend the dahlias. If they turned us loose - I shudder to think. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu6MHyDIKJAnn2h7VQusWcD_65GW8h5n-JTcw_rzcnOcSqXeBOTde4J4GIjrieXrWTr5lf76PSw2S1qFQQXslJxoul6KI8ipGpxaFcrLBIiL-ICsAUhnI33k8ttDM2lEIRmDBashzUb-5r/s2048/d+shadow+photog.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="391" height="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1n5LZUnT0BvE8gb7aVBv0pqAomCfCSZ2AMaXRZUZasQJUzOBbsj6HmehvQe658KuppeQsaJCl4FtfqcaVnSL_buC6kM_gsR2elXRNUZcahyphenhyphenj1NxMljCNaZ2uLaFN3TaR3E4LqyOv80RdI/w458-h610/image.png" width="458" /></a></span></div></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> You can, however, take all the photos you want, and come home with dreams and aspirations. Thanks to all their wise advice, humor and kindness I know what I've done wrong, what to let go because gardening is never perfect and nature bats last. And what to try next year. Can't wait.</div></span><p></p>Postcards From The Hedgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08946298237280064798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705372788300419595.post-17151601492950194672020-09-13T22:29:00.011-07:002020-09-13T22:39:24.368-07:00Before The Smoke <p>Before the 110 degree heat, before the choking smoke, before the fires that are devouring people's lives, I had a cutting garden full of lovely things. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy425qz-OfrcM8UsZdiQdwWYFvVvGquWd_yPSm9gNaJlu56wE0UHoU_SFrvwi_Q3__8Xvj_SHOI7RpvcUvZzp4CIFqa65m-CeiYIgScYaj1ODY7PniCi2PnPrcRpYY5U7yOkok6sRuDUmY/s2048/f+gdn+2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="781" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy425qz-OfrcM8UsZdiQdwWYFvVvGquWd_yPSm9gNaJlu56wE0UHoU_SFrvwi_Q3__8Xvj_SHOI7RpvcUvZzp4CIFqa65m-CeiYIgScYaj1ODY7PniCi2PnPrcRpYY5U7yOkok6sRuDUmY/w586-h781/f+gdn+2.jpeg" width="586" /></a></p><p>Okay, some were not so lovely any more. But they were loved. And it's a cutting garden. so it doesn't have to look good. At least not all the time. And yes those are onions and yes I cut them.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBWNTfC-b44aJW-mdmuhVFsroa6q6luZhvoyJXwY2P3oueVa-GqfqoLishEDU35ycGCyXZ0HoztxJMKpiRDpZ5j0cP_B2WDcoFRLRvS4XGeP3ozmCBHLGuTUDQySdElGwy3faU0mUzAm7/s2048/F+gdn.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="781" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBWNTfC-b44aJW-mdmuhVFsroa6q6luZhvoyJXwY2P3oueVa-GqfqoLishEDU35ycGCyXZ0HoztxJMKpiRDpZ5j0cP_B2WDcoFRLRvS4XGeP3ozmCBHLGuTUDQySdElGwy3faU0mUzAm7/w586-h781/F+gdn.jpeg" width="586" /></a></p><p>I would go down in the mornings with a cup of tea and a big basket, and cut until the basket was overflowing. I'm sure when I clean up the garden in late fall I'll find a forgotten teacup or six. Gardening is filled with happy surprises. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtG-iGSmx1io_Y25-CQGhrFAigr2J7HG9F4-lsYLgQcDvvttrSppw9Pqx9d_kWStKleOZAU4Wni_scYVKzPCu-bGWd4PumgEgFGkBxtXK4X8gOMaiDaX64BKfDwOW7o54i5lzWVoBFJrun/s4032/f+basket.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtG-iGSmx1io_Y25-CQGhrFAigr2J7HG9F4-lsYLgQcDvvttrSppw9Pqx9d_kWStKleOZAU4Wni_scYVKzPCu-bGWd4PumgEgFGkBxtXK4X8gOMaiDaX64BKfDwOW7o54i5lzWVoBFJrun/w625-h469/f+basket.jpeg" width="625" /></a>In this basket - a tall white butterfly bush, new this year. A two foot campanula primulafolia. I have carried seedlings and little jars of seed from garden to garden. It seeds all over. I love it.</p><p>Some David Austin roses, hopeless as cut flowers but so graceful and fragrant. A long sprig of duck foot ivy. An intensely blue bush clematis. The raw material.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgif3WyVRkZpwa9rWFJvfnvEaV4kdlqb5yGbBw8545vJ_kBpLbD3DvNUvruugSP0jxrHnfK_XaDAUxQ4o1A7t4eM_4HXvel9yzKCap_Tq4FPNm2aBmK_7f0HDtTck0O0HVRXqA3K23tWQzY/s4032/f+tall+mixed+on+table.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="781" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgif3WyVRkZpwa9rWFJvfnvEaV4kdlqb5yGbBw8545vJ_kBpLbD3DvNUvruugSP0jxrHnfK_XaDAUxQ4o1A7t4eM_4HXvel9yzKCap_Tq4FPNm2aBmK_7f0HDtTck0O0HVRXqA3K23tWQzY/w586-h781/f+tall+mixed+on+table.jpeg" width="586" /></a><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I make arrangements on the outdoor table, the leftover bits swept onto the patio and then into a nearby bed. This vase has a pink scabiosa that grew to six feet before it keeled over and went to seed. Note to self: stronger stakes next year. It is, however, seeding all over the potato patch. Sometimes good things come from what looks like disaster.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Back to the flowers: I think the rose is The Dark Lady from David Austin, but the tag is long gone. I know I also planted Prospero, and it's also a David Austin and a major shedder on day two in the house. I don't care, I love the graceful way they droop, and I leave the fallen petals.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some plain blue buddleia that volunteered and is reseeding all over the place. The hummingbirds love it. That intense blue bush clematis. Some unopened rose buds - it's a cutting garden and I cut buds knowing they will never open. I love the way they feel in an arrangement, that not all the flowers are the same age. Some still in bud, some drooping and shedding. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFVNMhz05V8oQ57cFD13k8z4sQF0xGpgarlvA173PUhDpiQM-9YQQZpHO5lOUVyZy_6eyo5mJIUUBXXEah-7GjIC5-4v0JYFRL0Ch_x-qiFZrgzm0NTFpSs_dAXEcpaPeAuRnk0o3SX8D/s4032/f+on+table.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="781" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHFVNMhz05V8oQ57cFD13k8z4sQF0xGpgarlvA173PUhDpiQM-9YQQZpHO5lOUVyZy_6eyo5mJIUUBXXEah-7GjIC5-4v0JYFRL0Ch_x-qiFZrgzm0NTFpSs_dAXEcpaPeAuRnk0o3SX8D/w586-h781/f+on+table.jpeg" width="586" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had a few leftover bits I could not bring myself to sweep off the table. A Brandy rose, a deep pink rose, alas also tag-less. One leftover spray of that dark David Austin, a bit of peach yarrow that lasts forever, and a scabiosa seed pod. And yes that blue clematis with the teensy intense flowers. Just a few flowers by the kitchen window. That seems to be where I'm spending a lot of time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1jSH2CEP0Ki-cWRkKAJMpqqdfLUBIOzjlO6-bjIREx6yM0aKe7Ng0hzoVcnMy_3m-bhkbmtL1rp4aUSDZH0KIbjdsuAAaDNKzyRdvTwufWhl1vnUuZ36AyDCnhVnBI72KLm6sfqgw_gsN/s4032/F+tall+dahlia.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="781" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1jSH2CEP0Ki-cWRkKAJMpqqdfLUBIOzjlO6-bjIREx6yM0aKe7Ng0hzoVcnMy_3m-bhkbmtL1rp4aUSDZH0KIbjdsuAAaDNKzyRdvTwufWhl1vnUuZ36AyDCnhVnBI72KLm6sfqgw_gsN/w586-h781/F+tall+dahlia.jpeg" width="586" /></a></div>The first dahlia to bloom is always Thomas Edison. He's also the last to quit. I quite like him with the peachy Pat Austin rose. And the shed petal. The tomatoes? The jury is still out. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">One of the joys of having a cutting garden (besides the miracle that things are actually growing) is <i>not</i> cutting something if I'm not in the mood for that flower. In my regular garden things get dead headed. They rarely get cut, cutting leaves holes. In the cutting garden I have been cutting with abandon, and I'm letting things go to seed. Next year I'm hoping for happy surprises. </span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjpXFbGdF_z2vew1H6-aJ9OIhKCDgYvEl_SZqUg4DN8bdZPMcirbCThI1la9Fm3ZZNUTfoMmPS9O3q8cZc7hbFSCsRaC2-PgdEP4mJCyyymDZpuS6rvpq8VicDiliaKja7ouFsddQMmno/s4032/f+hollyhock+pool.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="781" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjpXFbGdF_z2vew1H6-aJ9OIhKCDgYvEl_SZqUg4DN8bdZPMcirbCThI1la9Fm3ZZNUTfoMmPS9O3q8cZc7hbFSCsRaC2-PgdEP4mJCyyymDZpuS6rvpq8VicDiliaKja7ouFsddQMmno/w586-h781/f+hollyhock+pool.jpeg" width="586" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;">Hot pink hollyhocks have reseeded everywhere. For the first few years I harvested seed and coaxed it along. Now? I throw the spent stalks where I want hollyhocks and dig out the extras.</p><p style="text-align: left;">This year I got a whole crop of weird looking pointy purple and green tomatoes I didn't plant. And a<i> huge</i> crop of potatoes in the flower bed above the pool, growing happily under that hot pink holly hock. Surprisingly pretty foliage, and not bad as a cut flower. Weird fact: the flowers tell you what color the potatoes are. White flowers for white, pink for red and lavender for blue.</p><p style="text-align: left;"> Next year: Daisies invading the dahlias? Masses of sweet peas? I can dream. Sweet peas are not especially happy with me, and the birds love to pull them up, but I did have one pale pink sweet pea volunteer in the gravel and flower away. It set seed. I am hoping for great things.</p><p style="text-align: left;">There will be sheets of low blue forget-me-nots in spring, and hellebores volunteering between the stone steps. I'm tossing out handfuls of nigella and poppy seeds and hoping they will be happy. </p><p style="text-align: left;">I know I'm lucky my garden is only smoky, so many have lost everything. I'm hoping some day the fires will stop. And I am grateful for all the things that grow.</p></div><p><br /></p>Postcards From The Hedgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08946298237280064798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705372788300419595.post-32992345920084703372020-08-29T17:12:00.002-07:002020-09-07T09:41:25.188-07:00 A Cutting Garden To Save My Sanity<p> Before the pandemic, before the lockdown, inspired by my friend Jane and her fabulous cutting garden in East Hampton, I planted a modest cutting garden. At the very bottom of our garden, where there used to be a lawn. With inadequate drip irrigation...there was a lot of cursing and hand watering at first. </p><p>Some things from seed, most from 4 inch pots.</p><p>Some left over from last year (the Thomas Edison dahlias), some gifted by friends.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqO8Z5Y0xOUqxaRgnubn3Vrf6loCk5vTpU_4zuWjAlKqmZPySQ3V84suAVKTY225KSJYQTvFJYTrtxl99TTriLx5JUgBIAcpmPsv_AdV_KKfES4ICBbNKPDY1KQAvfGnPu_991uZVaE5GZ/s2048/fl1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqO8Z5Y0xOUqxaRgnubn3Vrf6loCk5vTpU_4zuWjAlKqmZPySQ3V84suAVKTY225KSJYQTvFJYTrtxl99TTriLx5JUgBIAcpmPsv_AdV_KKfES4ICBbNKPDY1KQAvfGnPu_991uZVaE5GZ/s640/fl1.jpeg" /></a></div><p>Tall blue salvia uliginosa, light and airy Nepeta six hills giant, a stiff mystery plant from Portugal with hairy lavender flowers, beginning to go to seed.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ebD0yXEuKppobaTJBbTxTMMCDBCpw3ujA8hs3IghgghOwajecMmhnLN7TmY4zbM3-f9YAHQF8Z_1cdfMuijga_vWp0PFzi5MkRw9z82pKiJBMb09fL62vCBY81-i9oZDtWxE8FDLmpav/s2048/fl3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ebD0yXEuKppobaTJBbTxTMMCDBCpw3ujA8hs3IghgghOwajecMmhnLN7TmY4zbM3-f9YAHQF8Z_1cdfMuijga_vWp0PFzi5MkRw9z82pKiJBMb09fL62vCBY81-i9oZDtWxE8FDLmpav/s640/fl3.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fragrant blue sweet peas planted last fall climbed to the top of their trellis and spilled over. I've been cutting long branches to try to get them back under control. They have territorial ambitions.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTgf-OAG2qP23sU08ta9tOm61ameHBCL4VWK9-HmZkDcwtaTJKp4gJxJuHZWIgMu9VZXCudnQgnjv1VR7ikYbss56xxQKaZ8ZYOlut8diUuy91njVOB1i_ukAFVvlMsqJUpf52ZqA64g5/s2048/fl4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTgf-OAG2qP23sU08ta9tOm61ameHBCL4VWK9-HmZkDcwtaTJKp4gJxJuHZWIgMu9VZXCudnQgnjv1VR7ikYbss56xxQKaZ8ZYOlut8diUuy91njVOB1i_ukAFVvlMsqJUpf52ZqA64g5/s640/fl4.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Huge heads of mid pink scabiosa. I should have cut this back by half when it was only two feet tall. It's now over six feet and a constant battle to keep it upright. And to keep it from going to seed. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdXFXq0adI-6QoP76-ABmJ6tX_AdwU1LDen8zqFktT8LWrqYA2Am0Eyf0co9-oKPw7NYLojiNoq41MmopJ0bCSwGitjsAKL3Y-zYTh-db35GStZ8rlUin4uN9FEY3o0uQHp43kbdChnqqy/s2048/fl5.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdXFXq0adI-6QoP76-ABmJ6tX_AdwU1LDen8zqFktT8LWrqYA2Am0Eyf0co9-oKPw7NYLojiNoq41MmopJ0bCSwGitjsAKL3Y-zYTh-db35GStZ8rlUin4uN9FEY3o0uQHp43kbdChnqqy/s640/fl5.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm not a fan of daisies but these Shasta daisies may change my mind...they don't need staking and they are cheerful. Even when I am emphatically not.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZ_jkEzp0CatXLZL1qiLcQkR87kXE-qrbPwJ7dRg2DlnXpBpZ1zujVNJX-AXperj3t8rlVr2n2qpaJwVE3MPjTz522JGJL7uYLc-XV5gFXGDsm5LC6dqEIPSrJ31b-Qs3l6_zpznGgT1V/s2048/fl6.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZ_jkEzp0CatXLZL1qiLcQkR87kXE-qrbPwJ7dRg2DlnXpBpZ1zujVNJX-AXperj3t8rlVr2n2qpaJwVE3MPjTz522JGJL7uYLc-XV5gFXGDsm5LC6dqEIPSrJ31b-Qs3l6_zpznGgT1V/s640/fl6.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And the fabulous Thomas Edison dahlias. Planted in gopher cages, left to winter over in our sticky clay. They are the only dahlias to return year after year. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAtrwvwTkajR6RSd4vGl8PsmIIFmqXSGVkdqyhTZPW5s6cM2ZPNCw6NrUTij0z6mEi0T_BkNQYkXFlfpybHyZoxgPS4lKs8A-8oIrvWHvOuwKQa7ZPPGf-3ryv0MxfQo0XupephdsNCxRs/s2048/fl7.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAtrwvwTkajR6RSd4vGl8PsmIIFmqXSGVkdqyhTZPW5s6cM2ZPNCw6NrUTij0z6mEi0T_BkNQYkXFlfpybHyZoxgPS4lKs8A-8oIrvWHvOuwKQa7ZPPGf-3ryv0MxfQo0XupephdsNCxRs/s640/fl7.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Laid out on the outdoor dining table, ready to arrange. I start with the filler, the smaller plants that will spill over the vase. Their stems hold the flowers I want more upright... </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2GmhuJRFYms60MMjpwCEMMMl7MOXTLRwcLgct15cpRUIBz6bXq1MczCHDLQGH-_CXbINHVT0rFadhPZIBvzHiE6hbkQz9S2agKJ8JLAB6BPVMM15fwhRMmXO3vo-KlxB8zwcDzjSLvT3/s2048/fl8.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2GmhuJRFYms60MMjpwCEMMMl7MOXTLRwcLgct15cpRUIBz6bXq1MczCHDLQGH-_CXbINHVT0rFadhPZIBvzHiE6hbkQz9S2agKJ8JLAB6BPVMM15fwhRMmXO3vo-KlxB8zwcDzjSLvT3/s640/fl8.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...like the pincushion flower (scabiosa is such an ugly word, sounds like a skin disease) and the daisies. And that lovely blue salvia.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwp1LfBd_PGx0UKx6cwV4ukzdd2xlEE4iFg6wabOXJNg4dskxK_U27xuGIygLh9eeZhFxMSr5OUvX8wwgoPFzIVA3Tx85L4umddzwA0FbgunwtUCzUpbXCa7Aen6wbkRzRXJe5kROOIEfT/s2048/fl9.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwp1LfBd_PGx0UKx6cwV4ukzdd2xlEE4iFg6wabOXJNg4dskxK_U27xuGIygLh9eeZhFxMSr5OUvX8wwgoPFzIVA3Tx85L4umddzwA0FbgunwtUCzUpbXCa7Aen6wbkRzRXJe5kROOIEfT/s640/fl9.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There were enough flowers for two arrangements. Well, almost. Another trip down the long staircase to cut more sweet peas. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dahlias and other large flowers go in last, then <span style="text-align: left;">into a dark cool room for a few hours. Then in places where I can see them - rooms where I spend time, pass by often. Maybe something small in the bedroom, but I want to see them, to enjoy them.</span></div><p>So what have I learned?</p><p>First, the descriptions on the plants in the nursery (fabulous cut flower! Trouble free! Blooms all summer!) are often written by someone who either has never grown a thing, doesn't own a pair of shears, has never had a flower arrangement last for more than one day, or is on drugs. Or is paid to exaggerate. </p><p>Those plants that emphatically do not make good cut flowers? Dug up and given away. So the second lesson? Be ruthless.</p><p>Next: If you're growing it from seed it will likely set seed and expire - here, as the summer heats up. In your garden, perhaps as fall approaches. But in the heat of our long summers so many beautiful things - huge blue scabiosa from <a href="https://www.anniesannuals.com">Annie's Annuals</a>, fragrant sweet peas in rich burgundy, mallows and hollyhocks - all gone to seed. And yes, I was diligent about dead heading. It's been over a hundred here for more than a week. If I could go to seed I would...</p><p>Shasta daisies are on hiatus. Cosmos have mildewed and quit. Coreopsis soldiers on, but I am not in the mood for school bus yellow flowers. Not in the heat; not after months of them.</p><p>Roses are still going but they do not last nearly as long in a vase as the dahlias. </p><p>Salvias shed. Inside, it looks like an invasion of blue bugs under the arrangement. I sweep the spent flowers into the sink a few times a day, and keep food out of their range. Blue flowers and breadcrumbs? No.</p><p>I've learned a lot about cutting and conditioning too.</p><p>Leaves get stripped, especially those below the water line. Stems re-cut and quickly dipped in<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Floralife-Smither-Instant-Hydrating-Treatment/dp/B00ALXH2FW"> Quick Dip</a>, a flower conditioner, then into warm water and placed in a cool dark spot for conditioning. The laundry room if the dryer isn't going. The guest closet. A dark bathroom. The wine cellar if my husband isn't looking.</p><p>What do you grow for cutting? What's blooming in your garden? What makes you happy?</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Postcards From The Hedgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08946298237280064798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705372788300419595.post-41933634733721927452019-06-09T09:24:00.001-07:002019-06-11T00:12:52.254-07:00Butterfield Biking <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">Aboard the luxurious SS Catherine. On the Butterfield and Robinson Rhone River Bike Trip. The usual cliches apply: unpack once, the scenery outside your window changes every day. And we have a butler who makes laundry disappear and reappear clean and folded.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxwF3Dwkihe31MZqcJpTZj72Gqd4Bu8gFQcYBLQeb6QnDtBMkQC3cWoJzNewYC9m24tXU4-3LQMGzW5z7Mn-ZdDD1hIrsZMJBRPZDHUHDOSkQMgLUJ9CeJAvHgD9IMOqRbnW1la7nthVN/s1600/Bridge+-+where%253F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrxwF3Dwkihe31MZqcJpTZj72Gqd4Bu8gFQcYBLQeb6QnDtBMkQC3cWoJzNewYC9m24tXU4-3LQMGzW5z7Mn-ZdDD1hIrsZMJBRPZDHUHDOSkQMgLUJ9CeJAvHgD9IMOqRbnW1la7nthVN/s1600/Bridge+-+where%253F.jpeg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">It's not too bad living in a cliche. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We finally get on our bikes - I have an e bike, Wally a racing bike. At the first hill I turn up the juice and, pedaling ever so easily, I sail past. At the top of the hill Wally knows how I've felt for years. The next day he is on an e bike.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We bike down a long allee of Plane trees...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8ryy7FGO715hx2SBpZiLOYcpVsh3mMvF8fgq11EgHvbbzulzHcbdDyZ5M4ubj2iNRRAOLn71disrlrp1t9pv8VjEoxMvfao1xEzlObqFeb0d-NSqkZAuRo85S1DWmWU7CdmjM_cz4-4Y/s1600/Wally+allee.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8ryy7FGO715hx2SBpZiLOYcpVsh3mMvF8fgq11EgHvbbzulzHcbdDyZ5M4ubj2iNRRAOLn71disrlrp1t9pv8VjEoxMvfao1xEzlObqFeb0d-NSqkZAuRo85S1DWmWU7CdmjM_cz4-4Y/s1600/Wally+allee.jpeg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">...to a courtyard lunch at an old chateau. Under more Plane trees.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnEbA1qzZCaxuyhZEdgQWA0y8BLp7T_7oIVNuyMoF_1n79C3UXo3RLdITFwWUtz3C9md0OEOnDE33DegSENJz9dyHjmrQAtue_UypjDeRz13Wen6dSHHmCtMpfTfmp9meBbKBOwxnA4qLF/s1600/IMG_6844.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnEbA1qzZCaxuyhZEdgQWA0y8BLp7T_7oIVNuyMoF_1n79C3UXo3RLdITFwWUtz3C9md0OEOnDE33DegSENJz9dyHjmrQAtue_UypjDeRz13Wen6dSHHmCtMpfTfmp9meBbKBOwxnA4qLF/s1600/IMG_6844.jpeg" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoUBwnBHfYQgh9A9syTAyE_IOQz-VnQ5_3Z6e3N35F7VKREMFWMPNcI1AnNE4gnn4wtgzVAxDtGKFfURDUx6FUmoNAPGdso-NfQZ0KRNoJkRRc5GARPefT1YeHQ4KDcbbv5vv4RG6BiL-A/s1600/IMG_6847.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoUBwnBHfYQgh9A9syTAyE_IOQz-VnQ5_3Z6e3N35F7VKREMFWMPNcI1AnNE4gnn4wtgzVAxDtGKFfURDUx6FUmoNAPGdso-NfQZ0KRNoJkRRc5GARPefT1YeHQ4KDcbbv5vv4RG6BiL-A/s1600/IMG_6847.jpeg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Fully half the group of avid cyclists are on e bikes. No shame here. I am used to a fancy Italian racing bike, not new but light and frisky. This e bike is like riding a draft horse with a bad attitude - on ice. It's a fight to keep it upright, it has . a mind of its own and considers my attempts to steer merely a suggestion. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lovely countryside:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfdiacjrHmdZGEkj1AQIigfy9fmjS1_tJkvOgf-CKrhlm97kfUe4RIIhOs3nS-VbUxKGh5ajNxlvKyMaSIka7dsognPsq-70ZyjSMIRyrLJ8vnU8Z_Eh3qjIDtlndywBhCPLSBFYRQtEz/s1600/canal.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfdiacjrHmdZGEkj1AQIigfy9fmjS1_tJkvOgf-CKrhlm97kfUe4RIIhOs3nS-VbUxKGh5ajNxlvKyMaSIka7dsognPsq-70ZyjSMIRyrLJ8vnU8Z_Eh3qjIDtlndywBhCPLSBFYRQtEz/s1600/canal.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-F906VRlepuCdHs4E8GMAoNvOcZI_ZjUCOn4vTB8Gzq9uBaFd0qtmo9TxQiNj613-2TwZxtPXSshU2jmGflf9oCAXynvzBn64DFmP81eutnElO822X2t9bRsQ4fjZ27rot4La4h8zhbXI/s1600/Les+ALPILLES.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-F906VRlepuCdHs4E8GMAoNvOcZI_ZjUCOn4vTB8Gzq9uBaFd0qtmo9TxQiNj613-2TwZxtPXSshU2jmGflf9oCAXynvzBn64DFmP81eutnElO822X2t9bRsQ4fjZ27rot4La4h8zhbXI/s1600/Les+ALPILLES.jpeg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">And we have tablets! Samsung galaxy tablets that have a lovely map with a blue dot (you are here) and a blue line to follow...and a red line to show you where you've been or when you go off piste. Which, despite the tablets, we manage to do.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And they talk to you! Tell you where to turn...I miss seeing the clusters of B & R travelers at the confusing intersections, waving their route notes and peering at road signs. It was a comfort to come upon them, to know you were in the right place and not the only one who was confused. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But today we learn the tablets' limitations: on the way home after lunch they - and we - are in full sun. We fare better than they do; they just quit. We wish we could quit too...we make it back to the boat, tired but happy.</span><br />
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Postcards From The Hedgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08946298237280064798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705372788300419595.post-13375571184378188052019-06-05T09:23:00.001-07:002019-06-05T09:23:18.797-07:00Still thinking about Corsica...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It took five minutes in Avignon at the Hotel D’Europe to realize the thing that made Corsica so different, so special.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> So relaxing, so calm. </span>Besides the fabulous weather and the multitudinous beaches…</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">No Brits. </span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-size: large;">No Americans. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">And it took five minutes in the car back to the Ajaccio airport for our driver Philipe to spill the beans about why he didn’t meet us on our arrival in Corsica. He had called us while we were in our taxi (we snagged the last one at the airport taxi stand, after the last flight of the day) to berate us for being early and not waiting for him, talking over me as I tried to explain that we had waited for half an hour - “But you were early!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>How could I know?” Ummm internet?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Cel phone?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">“But I will meet you at Hotel Miramar for your return!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>At twelve and a half!”</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Twelve and a half indeed.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">So! five minutes onto our ride back to the airport, the very ride that started promptly at twelve and a half, Philipe confesses that there were in fact <i>two</i> flights that arrived that fateful day in Ajaccio at the same time from Paris, and he was waiting patiently with a big smile and a sign with our names - at the wrong flight.</span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Wild,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Remote.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Self contained.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Self assured.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Content.</span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />
Bonifacio. Sartène.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Propriano.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Weathered cliffs of white chalk.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Houses glued to the very edges of the cliffs. They hang like perched vultures over the sea.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> Nothing below. </span>A white wild Petra. </span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We eat on a tiny balcony in a restaurant where if you drop your fork it will spear a seagull on the way down to a watery end. We wake with the sun and linger over espresso on our deck overlooking the sea. </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">We wander twisting streets and get lost - and found - a dozen times in a day. We find, on the way down from yet another church that gives me the creeps, a cabinet with a glass front and dozens of juicy chickens browning inside. We return at lunch time to an empty cabinet, to locals leaving with bagged chickens, to two tiny tables facing the street, one staked out by a local man and his daughter - they are both on the curb smoking - and the most delicious smells. We have no idea what the menu says, the owner asks</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">us what part of the chicken we want by waving his hands over those parts of his body. I get a whole breast with wing attached and a steaming heap of tiny potatoes glistening with chicken fat. Wally gets breast leg and thigh with the same meltingly tender potatoes. We think we can't possibly eat it all - we are so wrong,</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-size: large;">We ask for beer - apparently a universal word. He shakes his head, goes out the door, and returns with the owner of the bar next door. We pantomime - he returns with two bottles beaded with cold and perfect with the chicken. </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-size: large;">The unexpected, the confusing, the difficult, the spontaneous, the things beyond your comfort zone - they are the best memories.</span></div>
</div>
Postcards From The Hedgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08946298237280064798noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705372788300419595.post-86938725998162291432019-06-05T06:14:00.003-07:002019-06-05T06:14:47.896-07:00Avignon<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">It was, for about a hundred years, the city of popes. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcuFHYjvx1Hh2vXXBfR6kZHW-gBKiKaZnIPq6-QQUx3UJ9idkjvFZSiXNk49WTG2xoMUvpjiUmSW3OTg4YSoGxzVUgC5S1YKd-8JmsYPsfT96pH9oehgPjzVwu6IpBjCWLKVaE80vDcoLJ/s1600/pope%2527s+palace.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcuFHYjvx1Hh2vXXBfR6kZHW-gBKiKaZnIPq6-QQUx3UJ9idkjvFZSiXNk49WTG2xoMUvpjiUmSW3OTg4YSoGxzVUgC5S1YKd-8JmsYPsfT96pH9oehgPjzVwu6IpBjCWLKVaE80vDcoLJ/s1600/pope%2527s+palace.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">When there were multiple popes. The protestants may be dour, the Catholics are never boring. The famous bridge of song - </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rdJF4zXch9Hi3tviuoqBgMnWAlo600-etgMeNalY3jJDp02ipgQfg-P1880_PA6YOcWjXFXBHzY8RHFyurN_xJw5DFJWwjfw048JJY2TxxTgVxRSRtQtuXDXP8DtZinalPG3laWSnpZx/s1600/bridge+avignon.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rdJF4zXch9Hi3tviuoqBgMnWAlo600-etgMeNalY3jJDp02ipgQfg-P1880_PA6YOcWjXFXBHzY8RHFyurN_xJw5DFJWwjfw048JJY2TxxTgVxRSRtQtuXDXP8DtZinalPG3laWSnpZx/s1600/bridge+avignon.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Where would the tour guides take you if there were no partially fallen bridge? And sometimes the most intriguing photos are accidental... </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlYMmc1xp_LR4aiZBax7wWXRiqV9fEA_AeKvZOPfLFs4LLobtg3nC6Fzy5giccRdvAbPAh1hPjjq-CZl_FLkUqyg3TuLxOpUllvkgL6eoYR8hObvI8wdSlVHutyNzglYJKFAdxIHSzgnk/s1600/bridge+wonky.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlYMmc1xp_LR4aiZBax7wWXRiqV9fEA_AeKvZOPfLFs4LLobtg3nC6Fzy5giccRdvAbPAh1hPjjq-CZl_FLkUqyg3TuLxOpUllvkgL6eoYR8hObvI8wdSlVHutyNzglYJKFAdxIHSzgnk/s1600/bridge+wonky.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We know about Nespresso for breakfast - </span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUzj7doX3hjDt0hvoCj0thRFMK88o276VgwuOOygFEYGJN6zrTuHz2zNugs_QwrX1y2Ra6jtt8hzkUolI4870L79oUd4SQePF9PX2QO35CDLz06o0HnuTAhI_RWaUsIVFR6QKksDSaXq5/s1600/IMG_6765+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUzj7doX3hjDt0hvoCj0thRFMK88o276VgwuOOygFEYGJN6zrTuHz2zNugs_QwrX1y2Ra6jtt8hzkUolI4870L79oUd4SQePF9PX2QO35CDLz06o0HnuTAhI_RWaUsIVFR6QKksDSaXq5/s1600/IMG_6765+2.jpeg" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">But we didn't know it was for the shower too. This is a bit confusing...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiux5UvRwq6ebIOQK7QCyBzmna9eb30j14-SJh4FsP4sTEURNYehekg62McIgU5Uv1fLce424uEwCoypMIeQBHQ7nb8027eXN1XLV2MZ_WFFQzrG0Kx5b9F3T1fphyphenhyphenCmAZISd-0OfDxmASr/s1600/IMG_6766.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiux5UvRwq6ebIOQK7QCyBzmna9eb30j14-SJh4FsP4sTEURNYehekg62McIgU5Uv1fLce424uEwCoypMIeQBHQ7nb8027eXN1XLV2MZ_WFFQzrG0Kx5b9F3T1fphyphenhyphenCmAZISd-0OfDxmASr/s1600/IMG_6766.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When you're jet lagged and you see this in the shower you want to open your mouth and tip your head back. </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhTZOXmiQvDPaCKLwpbgwwJx5CKC1T2BooDmsMupV3tN2IPP2E5oE-VDyaZxIBSJ5Ew7obGYjim1O6Wm7CfGtS_Lr_mmCqhNcc-DdCQwtqOLg2dw2H2i1a1JR1VIG7DqheFqOd9GtlzzV8/s1600/IMG_6767+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhTZOXmiQvDPaCKLwpbgwwJx5CKC1T2BooDmsMupV3tN2IPP2E5oE-VDyaZxIBSJ5Ew7obGYjim1O6Wm7CfGtS_Lr_mmCqhNcc-DdCQwtqOLg2dw2H2i1a1JR1VIG7DqheFqOd9GtlzzV8/s1600/IMG_6767+2.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Check out the flavors - bad idea. Fortunately, thankfully, we have yet to encounter a hotel room without a Nespresso machine.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">
The fountains:</div>
</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGeXmHc6v-7ttE7-HrT2eLkdSvXNTCKZDWRNWtjYmZpY6TLCLxUttp4AJRWhYTSzseH6aBSfE2JRzPK26uoREKhBM204VI-UacIJ12Kmg8ctk1emey4wkN3KXe5EdX4KoP0J66hhe2ycc/s1600/fountain+avignon.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGeXmHc6v-7ttE7-HrT2eLkdSvXNTCKZDWRNWtjYmZpY6TLCLxUttp4AJRWhYTSzseH6aBSfE2JRzPK26uoREKhBM204VI-UacIJ12Kmg8ctk1emey4wkN3KXe5EdX4KoP0J66hhe2ycc/s1600/fountain+avignon.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The markets. Open air, of course.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRiZDSwJdFwfnPuHUNZBCoVJX93UuXcRgQYy9tR_j4eqrjlcXyxWvvXEX_AP2892Gi0R9zC_9qXm9wIQAaWvyKIJMvRhBbgCyr4I2f6F5jrBWx3ubFGCopdwJdwkUZnoaT9oO0eIcmlHi/s1600/market+garlic.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRiZDSwJdFwfnPuHUNZBCoVJX93UuXcRgQYy9tR_j4eqrjlcXyxWvvXEX_AP2892Gi0R9zC_9qXm9wIQAaWvyKIJMvRhBbgCyr4I2f6F5jrBWx3ubFGCopdwJdwkUZnoaT9oO0eIcmlHi/s1600/market+garlic.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-1IvFB0zflgcfbM1eXGyMu4Kp_bdYxD-QKIfqW3d_3nPoub1ZEfDGiUhk42O6beuIR8RJWFsHBcjcToShWc78Yz0RiLAWJ0oIxkOIUrama6GLqK1Qq-Kyd1Uc43TedThCKsjtFdFJjh9/s1600/market+berries.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1511" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-1IvFB0zflgcfbM1eXGyMu4Kp_bdYxD-QKIfqW3d_3nPoub1ZEfDGiUhk42O6beuIR8RJWFsHBcjcToShWc78Yz0RiLAWJ0oIxkOIUrama6GLqK1Qq-Kyd1Uc43TedThCKsjtFdFJjh9/s1600/market+berries.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8dUawTEdETZTNDVO_97ApjcCt25Vtg7lnkmPTwECze8XMFg2DjEhlPcNDYgm9MsZxP52rM-BjohrNQAuRczlAfcU2deyBAeBhTG7Pifc-1Ohq1J4APFE3f-KRzQfWtewRIR_S-laW39O/s1600/market+aarti.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8dUawTEdETZTNDVO_97ApjcCt25Vtg7lnkmPTwECze8XMFg2DjEhlPcNDYgm9MsZxP52rM-BjohrNQAuRczlAfcU2deyBAeBhTG7Pifc-1Ohq1J4APFE3f-KRzQfWtewRIR_S-laW39O/s1600/market+aarti.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvbFcBvmY4FVsKNATx_-etsUwgcUUSY2AeClGvJ-BdFP8YTDK4Da_xqRxWVArwPDPWayIdc8_KFFDvLSR-lI2wYKF1UD3ARoANXsSwTQYn6EdHZ6GrAb6oi4FGCPeeqgev-UY4-uba0yP/s1600/market+oil.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1103" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvbFcBvmY4FVsKNATx_-etsUwgcUUSY2AeClGvJ-BdFP8YTDK4Da_xqRxWVArwPDPWayIdc8_KFFDvLSR-lI2wYKF1UD3ARoANXsSwTQYn6EdHZ6GrAb6oi4FGCPeeqgev-UY4-uba0yP/s1600/market+oil.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I want to sit down on the sidewalk and pour olive oil over the garlic - and eat it. I settle for a box of strawberries and some crunchy unripe apricots. </span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;">
The spices - the hats. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Hfx1HgPqy3wamMlHqoGm15bYFi6l0sws8rx-eOWDvW_JemMmuIieAEWFKaEBxb7YgdkHbOMXLCE7SJF6AI-gQztj55OFns6zzMbWEDn4MA8yKbiFxtf82DXyzB5BRooQoh0a7DVhqjbJ/s1600/market+spice.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Hfx1HgPqy3wamMlHqoGm15bYFi6l0sws8rx-eOWDvW_JemMmuIieAEWFKaEBxb7YgdkHbOMXLCE7SJF6AI-gQztj55OFns6zzMbWEDn4MA8yKbiFxtf82DXyzB5BRooQoh0a7DVhqjbJ/s1600/market+spice.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtafquLrIPptKKH70vv6t7PD2lF9bhuu29VyXX4Fk7aq4Zwa3oaZqLhI4_5EMngEwKY2eIg6AYdNSIt8OWqbIg7t8RjdH_KtC4ILZcY9UO9J6lO-SEg6i6G-hn258yhwe0FS34R2bAHIm/s1600/hat.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtafquLrIPptKKH70vv6t7PD2lF9bhuu29VyXX4Fk7aq4Zwa3oaZqLhI4_5EMngEwKY2eIg6AYdNSIt8OWqbIg7t8RjdH_KtC4ILZcY9UO9J6lO-SEg6i6G-hn258yhwe0FS34R2bAHIm/s1600/hat.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">There is a provençal version of paella.. Ish. I'm pretty sure the Spanish don't use bean sprouts. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHxDfXZRL6P5iXWKa-vrv-D4yPk2za0IW3OXPL7tedYZyZxEXnWS7agTL33ozbwj_jmGorT17sifqrw6kWq2Y_7u-8FffOnK7zB4JEE2DLIiCQGpbYY5VjYc69asWdQUHmoMt4oEkmEAyS/s1600/IMG_6943.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHxDfXZRL6P5iXWKa-vrv-D4yPk2za0IW3OXPL7tedYZyZxEXnWS7agTL33ozbwj_jmGorT17sifqrw6kWq2Y_7u-8FffOnK7zB4JEE2DLIiCQGpbYY5VjYc69asWdQUHmoMt4oEkmEAyS/s1600/IMG_6943.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And the most delicious roast chickens. I wonder - if I lived here would I ever cook? Or just eat fresh from the market?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBz9eJcFFkVRP5HnNM_S4g71K6MKPfCIULkggnJGNuRM4O4u63lrWLeiit7hkj__LuJSR3WQVxSvhMfmqXwpf2FNQtPRBA4ZH8jDTMJUQc5QKmQUTpAz7CBfnnMOruY_CyfBa8__ivWes/s1600/IMG_6944.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBz9eJcFFkVRP5HnNM_S4g71K6MKPfCIULkggnJGNuRM4O4u63lrWLeiit7hkj__LuJSR3WQVxSvhMfmqXwpf2FNQtPRBA4ZH8jDTMJUQc5QKmQUTpAz7CBfnnMOruY_CyfBa8__ivWes/s1600/IMG_6944.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When we finally climb aboard our very luxurious ship, the S.S. Catherine, we are greeted by a terrifying chandelier. I was looking for a new one for the kitchen - not this one. It would give me nightmares. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwbNd0sPAe_CbS5XmIgTsI2LIHnxEuTM1btPOqwj6xBwqxoMFDYcp9kLo_RUu2JfL-m5YWOV8v1t3rBJP4CNlC24T_0k1V5wPyHbv2IBN1-74WP_TJ0AdrM1iUUUARxBPqZEDKXYWULVtO/s1600/scaary+chaandelier.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwbNd0sPAe_CbS5XmIgTsI2LIHnxEuTM1btPOqwj6xBwqxoMFDYcp9kLo_RUu2JfL-m5YWOV8v1t3rBJP4CNlC24T_0k1V5wPyHbv2IBN1-74WP_TJ0AdrM1iUUUARxBPqZEDKXYWULVtO/s1600/scaary+chaandelier.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Sweet Dreams.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
Postcards From The Hedgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08946298237280064798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705372788300419595.post-47224466344323520372019-06-03T22:00:00.004-07:002019-06-04T09:54:51.550-07:00Corse. Of course. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Charm is too soft a word. Rough. Wild. Stunningly beautiful. Small stone villages tumbling down hillsides, more stairs than streets. Old fishing villages with seaside restaurants - open air, of course. Squat towers built by the Genovese, and lighthouses.<br />
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Glorious skies.<br />
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Funny little cars...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyX9thyphenhyphenwUYHz6i688HgRnCmSdlOvqBnH9ZLW9cglAxs8g1nFcF_AJX2JRcwxhQu5lGB3Ni4-WyttWAJXcBBsE0ykeXjUFhXjdABRJgZrw54ugBTL2YAKormoYNAEiS38LE_pOW6mQpRL1/s1600/IMG_6712.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyX9thyphenhyphenwUYHz6i688HgRnCmSdlOvqBnH9ZLW9cglAxs8g1nFcF_AJX2JRcwxhQu5lGB3Ni4-WyttWAJXcBBsE0ykeXjUFhXjdABRJgZrw54ugBTL2YAKormoYNAEiS38LE_pOW6mQpRL1/s1600/IMG_6712.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<br />
And ancient fortified towns like Bonifacio, perched on white chalk cliffs, being undercut by the sea.<br />
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The walls aand cliffs protected from pirates, but how do you defend against the sea?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDvQfI3BYxaV4Aq8hYW1KMxLbz-OmeAYEg-Uh9TNt-78K4TTJmL8q0e8k5MODWhYf0a57iLm-QMWg2aCnWhyj1VqzOIGZ9K1Za3qgKO5UY_H2e1q6NlQzhnWKvg4m_VUuRy54-krzi4dV/s1600/bonifacio+cliff+.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDvQfI3BYxaV4Aq8hYW1KMxLbz-OmeAYEg-Uh9TNt-78K4TTJmL8q0e8k5MODWhYf0a57iLm-QMWg2aCnWhyj1VqzOIGZ9K1Za3qgKO5UY_H2e1q6NlQzhnWKvg4m_VUuRy54-krzi4dV/s1600/bonifacio+cliff+.jpeg" /></a></div>
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A few tourists, more locals. That all changes in July and August - an Island of 300 thousand residents gets 3 million tourists a year. You do the math. And come. Just not in July and August.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlC7VoJvt5xcB4sYodJZdTaItvx81jByU9TX2bLJmGn3S-MafIjwxQL8MI02vUrptCM6WXJDr08R1MfR2cpHSiTl1nkFoho7Mp9R1Sa4I3V4eOkjq2LA0eiD2d3t_zPvxNPIan6fJ_qlKX/s1600/bonifacio.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlC7VoJvt5xcB4sYodJZdTaItvx81jByU9TX2bLJmGn3S-MafIjwxQL8MI02vUrptCM6WXJDr08R1MfR2cpHSiTl1nkFoho7Mp9R1Sa4I3V4eOkjq2LA0eiD2d3t_zPvxNPIan6fJ_qlKX/s1600/bonifacio.jpeg" /></a></div>
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Corse, they call it. We call it Corsica, Rosé...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpwARBIItQ2hbktsrSRJVcqS54ezVhXc0o9_gH6_IAcZXDjgVRnS2md2zNHwJG3m97dqoGiBUj2fPZUlK4LKjGjNfxYZIezhj6zWGVlSLfesNH1ssFhUVGolg0ghRBBEPfU-fuvogfImz/s1600/IMG_6704.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpwARBIItQ2hbktsrSRJVcqS54ezVhXc0o9_gH6_IAcZXDjgVRnS2md2zNHwJG3m97dqoGiBUj2fPZUlK4LKjGjNfxYZIezhj6zWGVlSLfesNH1ssFhUVGolg0ghRBBEPfU-fuvogfImz/s1600/IMG_6704.jpeg" /></a></div>
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and tasty pig parts. A local version of prosciutto but less fatty, salty and sweet. Bacon rubbed with myrtle and black pepper and wild herbs from the hills. Those beautiful green and purple hills. It was sliced as thinly as paper and served raw. Sounded scary, melt in your mouth delicious. Best charcuterie I have ever tasted.<br />
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A jewel of a small hotel. Like being a guest in someone's villa. Someone's fabulous villa, where every person you meet is charming and wants to make your dreams come true.<br />
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<a href="https://www.miramarboutiquehotel.com/">Miramar Boutique Hotel</a> in Propriano. Come and stay. Anything is possible. We didn't want to leave. We're going back. The pool is calling...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfVa_JUPTrmr3BO9fB6dbxPV0hnH_Lka727dvNt8OaarDusBN2uOua8cOVxuJdDE1_9BBsmvrvxuiaZYr11bygzoQ3L9jWC50MnVBHhH03SwygB-BhiYG6UlaW8tWF5JUzcPPZZkxENuE5/s1600/pool+miramar.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1072" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfVa_JUPTrmr3BO9fB6dbxPV0hnH_Lka727dvNt8OaarDusBN2uOua8cOVxuJdDE1_9BBsmvrvxuiaZYr11bygzoQ3L9jWC50MnVBHhH03SwygB-BhiYG6UlaW8tWF5JUzcPPZZkxENuE5/s1600/pool+miramar.jpeg" /></a></div>
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And there are still some fish left to try.<br />
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,<br />
Come for dinner, come for a week. Choose your dinner. Just arrived, caught by a Corsican character who has fished every day for 45 years. Not the guy in the suit - that is Anthony Iglesias, the dapper and charming hotel manager. He's in charge if making your dreams come true. As are Ghislaiane and Nathan. Your job is to know what your dreams are. And to ask.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9CE4fDhH0OjBaWnVFEfTOY7RAxK4Cd86wi2IowqGU5rzHArFsIlPiUo2FwaR85Rm_YdH3KCY60qav-6qMw5Ab2Kbq4EBj2hB_kDWyTCfGghqMnREF2jPVtwyy2KND4dKYYDXIopn7khC/s1600/fish+wally.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9CE4fDhH0OjBaWnVFEfTOY7RAxK4Cd86wi2IowqGU5rzHArFsIlPiUo2FwaR85Rm_YdH3KCY60qav-6qMw5Ab2Kbq4EBj2hB_kDWyTCfGghqMnREF2jPVtwyy2KND4dKYYDXIopn7khC/s1600/fish+wally.jpeg" /></a></div>
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Watch the sun go down. Breathe. Sleep like a baby to the sound of the sea. Breakfast on your terrace overlooking the beach. Nap. Relax. Sigh.<br />
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Postcards From The Hedgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08946298237280064798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705372788300419595.post-22154183967392897612019-06-02T21:25:00.000-07:002019-06-02T21:25:20.002-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Crepuscular. Sounds like aa skin disease. Or something dry and curled up at the edges. It is in fact that magical moment when day turns to evening, when light is balanced between two worlds. A time of superstition and coyotes roaming the street, a moment of memory. In Corsica, in Propriano at the Miramar Hotel it is cocktail hour. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFzfhicg4PySidEVJ2Q9ZntLF7Kc1KRE_SRuh5c4G2XlqbohtP8laforyEpuyrRGWH9VDc5F5Kjc0xGzQELV5wyP6dKvlVXIXdFu_99tvdM5bcPuRwLkfmXqSZZMpMeMcd1QU9lBuq8d3/s1600/IMG_6764.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFzfhicg4PySidEVJ2Q9ZntLF7Kc1KRE_SRuh5c4G2XlqbohtP8laforyEpuyrRGWH9VDc5F5Kjc0xGzQELV5wyP6dKvlVXIXdFu_99tvdM5bcPuRwLkfmXqSZZMpMeMcd1QU9lBuq8d3/s1600/IMG_6764.jpeg" /></a></div>
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Postcards From The Hedgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08946298237280064798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705372788300419595.post-48157013076757415752015-06-01T02:06:00.000-07:002015-06-01T02:06:50.032-07:00R2D2 In The Loo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">Okay, you've all seen those <a href="http://www.totousa.com/">Toto toilets </a>- you know, the ones that look like a flat topped pod from a spaceship? And that automatically put the seat down? And have so many wash options they remind you of doing laundry? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You ain't seen nothin' yet. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">At the <a href="http://tokyo.grand.hyatt.com/ja/hotel/home.html">Grand Hyatt in Tokyo</a> you don't need a night light - when you walk into the potty closet, the toilet makes funny little R2D2 noises, a blue light comes on that suffuses the room with a warm blue glow, and the lid goes up. Seriously, it looks happy to see you. Ready for anything.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">At home we have one chrome lever - these things have a keypad that looks like it needs launch codes. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP8ZJMKm5KZnrpWHiA86-2T0ftLeeNJwMwll4oiIpTaAjE_X9-JieF2swRGkFG8BO-6vimrGIKJj7GCx73DounNjoVepcQdtqHRjX-FO6qwJSs_7Og7BXZWoJCdLRN4duLa4RlRGCTtL1D/s1600/IMG_5094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP8ZJMKm5KZnrpWHiA86-2T0ftLeeNJwMwll4oiIpTaAjE_X9-JieF2swRGkFG8BO-6vimrGIKJj7GCx73DounNjoVepcQdtqHRjX-FO6qwJSs_7Og7BXZWoJCdLRN4duLa4RlRGCTtL1D/s640/IMG_5094.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">You can set the temperature. You can choose a wash location. You can adjust the water temperature. Oh, and it <i>launches</i> all by itself, if you get my drift. As you walk away. Just in case you forgot. Or are on your phone...you <i>know</i> you don't want to share that noise. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I am not sharing photos of the actual loo - I have standards - but you can see them on the Toto link above. They use less water than ours, they are way more sano and way more fun - and in Japan even the tiny inns (Ryokans) that don't have beds, or chairs (yes you heard me right - more on that later) have these high tech....well, you know what they are. But not with the blue light. And the happy noises.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I have a friend whose son has these in his house, and she said "The only problem is when the power goes out." I didn't think of that. Maybe I'll get a generator too. </span><br />
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Postcards From The Hedgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08946298237280064798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705372788300419595.post-10552025544057827122015-05-31T15:10:00.001-07:002015-05-31T15:10:18.272-07:00Alphabet Soup<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">CT Scan</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">MRI</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">X-ray</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">EKG</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">IV</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All in less than two hours, all for less than $500. All at the local regional hospital. Why can't we have this kind of health care?</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">On Wednesday Wally took some spills. Skinned up, but we finished the ride. The next day he was having some balance issues, so on the advice of the hotel manager, Jiro Takeuchi (who stayed with us every step of the way)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm1hbw3rZ-D26IfbNte9np_JI1ZrY6EonG-OtlUkeUhgtt9P-oyYQ1UB7v4Zh5FEvT2pK4GQ8mNJnriLe4uWongh7GCwn-bp3PfLdGpN4MhMIbBcC9sTVI-_CvpkDlK1ix7vKHj_2GX5sn/s1600/jiro+and+paramedics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm1hbw3rZ-D26IfbNte9np_JI1ZrY6EonG-OtlUkeUhgtt9P-oyYQ1UB7v4Zh5FEvT2pK4GQ8mNJnriLe4uWongh7GCwn-bp3PfLdGpN4MhMIbBcC9sTVI-_CvpkDlK1ix7vKHj_2GX5sn/s640/jiro+and+paramedics.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">we went to the hospital to get him checked out. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCpSa_vghHX6iQjP4s9rdJswsiMT8p_Yg5-tqeL0HjB48mXCK0H5y3uIVxaSUjeh59Z7nvmHb4MDSfK7BkUQ78CAW3kqAswb5MlggVILd8G9qXvKQKGcBch2mOk1zcHWCj7uM5S878VST/s1600/gurney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: x-large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCpSa_vghHX6iQjP4s9rdJswsiMT8p_Yg5-tqeL0HjB48mXCK0H5y3uIVxaSUjeh59Z7nvmHb4MDSfK7BkUQ78CAW3kqAswb5MlggVILd8G9qXvKQKGcBch2mOk1zcHWCj7uM5S878VST/s640/gurney.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In style.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvlcVQT4v13xbxKw8TIkB3CTBETqwTwHgJ26vKDB_zgzkSEFk29L2OfWreqpCpPtMTH_1SA8exje2KQGSnpoUTIhwx_NugpDIQxFAOXdYf1dUfDbmM779xUVeLx8bW6mxCvHpFAF8vtHNU/s1600/ambulance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvlcVQT4v13xbxKw8TIkB3CTBETqwTwHgJ26vKDB_zgzkSEFk29L2OfWreqpCpPtMTH_1SA8exje2KQGSnpoUTIhwx_NugpDIQxFAOXdYf1dUfDbmM779xUVeLx8bW6mxCvHpFAF8vtHNU/s400/ambulance.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The good news: no abnormalities. The bad news: concussion. confusion. balance is off. dehydrated.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Being Wally, he is bloodied but unbowed. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_GI3-4RRXftX0a_vxxFUkBdj6AFVnspnBVChGiWZJaxZaPBM96V4M2KpHHDYGB1XCxAaCf6gLOEh8MR_wBBQo7tMc2ZzQy8aEm0sprmPEr5mZBKcAWpN3Ei0znk_GqzsLWjSVWVXEtrb5/s1600/sake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_GI3-4RRXftX0a_vxxFUkBdj6AFVnspnBVChGiWZJaxZaPBM96V4M2KpHHDYGB1XCxAaCf6gLOEh8MR_wBBQo7tMc2ZzQy8aEm0sprmPEr5mZBKcAWpN3Ei0znk_GqzsLWjSVWVXEtrb5/s640/sake.jpg" width="510" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Thank goodness we were staying at the fabulous <a href="http://www.ryokancollection.com/eng/kayoutei/ryokan_story.htm?ryokan=kayoutei">Kayotei Ryokan in Yamanaka.</a> Thank goodness we had our own On-sen (mineral spa) on our beautiful deck.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Home soon - updates after we see some of Wally's doctors. But for now we are stumbling around Kyoto, and it's beautiful.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpqbRiqx_KBZWhCnmIUh-Ioq8f0Zq2u0Zd-TEIzVVRhtrmjhW36RC_xLyu-SqJTDb5usDIQ5jNKvniFKQDv1NQ0jhDfDZ2jkSNAEb64tgg_yypYxjuhZbBoOnKwv19_5x1ebdrcvJL97u/s1600/kinkakujin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpqbRiqx_KBZWhCnmIUh-Ioq8f0Zq2u0Zd-TEIzVVRhtrmjhW36RC_xLyu-SqJTDb5usDIQ5jNKvniFKQDv1NQ0jhDfDZ2jkSNAEb64tgg_yypYxjuhZbBoOnKwv19_5x1ebdrcvJL97u/s640/kinkakujin.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One really cool thing: the paramedics and the ER staff write your answers to their medical questions on their gloves. So cool. So smart. So practical.</span></div>
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Postcards From The Hedgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08946298237280064798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705372788300419595.post-74252492764857191012015-05-22T00:07:00.000-07:002015-05-22T00:07:03.071-07:00May 2015 To-Do In The Garden<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Once again, courtesy of those wonderful folks at <a href="http://www.sloatgardens.com/locations/danville/">Sloat Nursery</a> in Danville, here is your to-do- list for the month. Sign up for their e-newsletter and all this - and more - will come to your email. Check out their Garden Guru column for answers to questions you didn't know you had. And Happy Gardening!</span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">May</span></h1>
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #555555; line-height: 24px;">
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Plant annuals like petunias, marigolds, begonias, lobelia, salvia and zinnia.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Re-seed radishes, carrots and beets.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Plant late summer edibles like pumpkins, squash, sunflowers, peppers, basil and melons.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Select garden-ready dahlias, perennials, hydrangeas, and hanging baskets.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Fertilize rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias with <strong>E.B. Stone Organics Azalea, Camellia & Gardenia Food</strong>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Give vegetables a boost with <strong>E.B. Stone Organics Tomato and Vegetable Food</strong>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Feed containers and hanging baskets with <strong>Maxsea All Purpose fertilizer</strong>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Plant new containers with <strong>E.B. Stone Formula 420</strong> to provide the best moisture holding capacity.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Prune spring-flowering shrubs after bloom is past. Prune spring flowering Clematis to control size and shape.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mulch vegetable and flower beds with <strong>Sloat Forest Mulch Plus</strong> to control weeds and conserve moisture.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Freshen up containers and replace spent annuals with colorful 4-inch perennials such as verbena, calibrachoa, coleus, bacopa and ipomoea.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Don’t forget mom on Mother’s Day! We have blooming flowers, gift cards, and hanging baskets.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Check out our selection of specialty hand tools, gloves and sun protective hats.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Release ladybugs and other beneficial insects to help control aphids, mites, whiteflies, and other garden pests.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The spittle bugs have returned! <a href="http://www.sloatgardens.com/the-spittle-bugs-have-returned/" style="background: transparent; color: #007a3d; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Learn more. ></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Stake tall perennials such as Dahlias.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Use beneficial nematodes to manage grubs in your lawn</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Deadhead spring bulbs but leave the foliage until it turns yellow.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pinch back late summer and fall perennials to promote better flowering, especially mums and asters.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Check your hose fittings for spent washers and leaks. Ensure your hose has a shut off valve or other water conserving feature. Consider a soaker hose to conserve water in your vegetable garden.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
Postcards From The Hedgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08946298237280064798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705372788300419595.post-51848893756232386362015-05-21T21:55:00.000-07:002015-05-22T00:30:25.895-07:00Doing It All<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">The NY Times has a travel series called 36 Hours In (fill in the city). We did all the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/05/travel/36-hours-in-tokyo.html?_r=0">36 Hours In Tokyo</a> things - in 8 hours. With Miyuki, our intrepid guide (why are guides always intrepid? I suppose if they're not intrepid they are insipid - or lost. Out of business.) And we did it by </span><span style="font-size: large;">Train. Taxi. Monorail. Jinrickshaw. Canal boat. And a lot of walking. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Without Miyuki we would still be wandering the subway. </span><span style="font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlaMyLSUx1_ytU3ruGKvJjLWLXmakfyAWDRxQws-a7YZFqYN7_OmPxfn9fSdyBRS7lo9egE-FUUla4APGq2vfsepAnJ7Dsm6ukAboQJnIbcIC_pz3zbY-yamOYhPGGbf5c5D4kiaXvtPGK/s1600/DSCN0528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlaMyLSUx1_ytU3ruGKvJjLWLXmakfyAWDRxQws-a7YZFqYN7_OmPxfn9fSdyBRS7lo9egE-FUUla4APGq2vfsepAnJ7Dsm6ukAboQJnIbcIC_pz3zbY-yamOYhPGGbf5c5D4kiaXvtPGK/s640/DSCN0528.jpg" width="450" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It's not just the trains, with thirteen main lines, or the ticket machines with instructions in Japanese. It's the stairs up and down to change platforms (or to find your platform in the first place), the sinuous tile-lined tunnels that look like MC Escher drawings, the banks of escalators rising into the air in all different directions, the rivers of bobbing heads scurrying along...and just as you are congratulating yourself on getting on the right train <i>and</i> off at the proper stop, you see the dozens of exits, with arrows pointing in all directions, all with different numbers and letters and strange-sounding names that at this point mean nothing. And you realize getting off at the right stop is only the beginning. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Even Miyuki occasionally had to ask which exit from the station to take, and she lives here. She led us down some narrow walkways precariously close to oncoming trains to get to our exits. If you take the wrong exit, God help you; exits can be blocks from each other. You may need a taxi.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the morning the train was not crowded:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7bPVqZzBIRN1ioFDCrRnh_7Gc9cd_Nsm7pO84Px07GvlD3qh-Gt2EGVMggY0FrTe1GUYUIfKLwpljCqnrgN-aEEsinrDosa60Qa2H_GQLnZdDSgOZmpsEVCs9DYfAclMJY3Ud0XkMXQv/s1600/train+morning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7bPVqZzBIRN1ioFDCrRnh_7Gc9cd_Nsm7pO84Px07GvlD3qh-Gt2EGVMggY0FrTe1GUYUIfKLwpljCqnrgN-aEEsinrDosa60Qa2H_GQLnZdDSgOZmpsEVCs9DYfAclMJY3Ud0XkMXQv/s640/train+morning.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> But by afternoon things were a little different. </span><span style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xFaG2kTQlsO9mBYvYDN-atIaUnffVYhKDZNMQYEMe4Z2dy4XnLtBJeUqcp3NUiKQAmhpls2eT3OERyoUpjCUoQU8CdKDUpWj8jgDjEHFm9YhLs09c1MW1Lf9DVr_74eIx7WJr4VzkmfM/s1600/train.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="552" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xFaG2kTQlsO9mBYvYDN-atIaUnffVYhKDZNMQYEMe4Z2dy4XnLtBJeUqcp3NUiKQAmhpls2eT3OERyoUpjCUoQU8CdKDUpWj8jgDjEHFm9YhLs09c1MW1Lf9DVr_74eIx7WJr4VzkmfM/s640/train.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><span style="font-size: large;">All calm and orderly. It got a lot more crowded as we went along, but I couldn't get my arm up to take a photo.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Highlights: The Meiji Shrine:</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQSXiBm865FtSMq1GpNwQGzqs3kq0HX5JNMKYDHh3w2hj0-gzrRZ7aqyfLfmwMLgZhgPJXiFy9GDEnIQ-JrdIlpX8xcpbFI5SYxavDlbXsxUUfRa7nkKTTqYoML8TkTpSrOf_A2XaFmhH/s1600/meiji+torii.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQSXiBm865FtSMq1GpNwQGzqs3kq0HX5JNMKYDHh3w2hj0-gzrRZ7aqyfLfmwMLgZhgPJXiFy9GDEnIQ-JrdIlpX8xcpbFI5SYxavDlbXsxUUfRa7nkKTTqYoML8TkTpSrOf_A2XaFmhH/s640/meiji+torii.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRe2Gqpp7k2LuGvGWsGRpFSfvXCMS7pC3b_K90OoaykdKqmncb6h4GWhYgqu2MV-NBtkPW4fY82l9ymJ0_Z7JbBMmVfdivC9zIOGWlLwYBRalRT42RO7Wq0QD3wCfb8gTZdKszd1XPy27I/s1600/meiji+sake+barrels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRe2Gqpp7k2LuGvGWsGRpFSfvXCMS7pC3b_K90OoaykdKqmncb6h4GWhYgqu2MV-NBtkPW4fY82l9ymJ0_Z7JbBMmVfdivC9zIOGWlLwYBRalRT42RO7Wq0QD3wCfb8gTZdKszd1XPy27I/s640/meiji+sake+barrels.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilE_2nYY6ud5t6YmUedKqvCkyW3Bx79rjMFbfNMbq2Uy6I6-EdFePG8EgIveRtjn_QOMidd4Fu91rokMgLAkos8sUhX4FHnYxyEZQ8Uv4-Z0SSsx-uH9ECGgmTOuOnXpL7OXQQNq5QJprW/s1600/meiji+student.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilE_2nYY6ud5t6YmUedKqvCkyW3Bx79rjMFbfNMbq2Uy6I6-EdFePG8EgIveRtjn_QOMidd4Fu91rokMgLAkos8sUhX4FHnYxyEZQ8Uv4-Z0SSsx-uH9ECGgmTOuOnXpL7OXQQNq5QJprW/s640/meiji+student.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Where the spirit of the dead Emperor and Empress are enshrined. Popular place for baptisms (saw lots of babies but took no photos - it would have been too weird) and weddings (didn't see any brides, just school kids). No qualms about photographing them; they are i-photoing constantly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Take a boat along the Sumida river and down into Tokyo harbor- it's a completely different perspective on the city. Check out the tsunami gates - Good luck with that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Go to <a href="http://www.roppongihills.com/tcv/jp/">Tokyo Sky View</a> - Tokyo makes New York look like a village. Sorry New Yorkers. Sad but true. Dense as far as the eye can see. Best guess: 38 million people in the greater metropolitan area (for you nitpickers who will come up with a smaller number and neglect to mention that it's for the city proper only). Who can tell where the city proper ends? T</span><span style="font-size: large;">here are high rises to the horizon</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">in every direction. And don't get me started on the traffic. </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZ4paVdMBu9R-08E8rRG6ZxDsDkyslO48adujQrpmbhbM8SwPSQ7m4PpXAudPbPGTAEtt2H2NliDKDwMf3tqjFxakPYsllANwlF74OaqOkQ8Kdbq29gl6gaqqdPexK0HJ2lzXyqK0UCZj/s1600/tokyp+sky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZ4paVdMBu9R-08E8rRG6ZxDsDkyslO48adujQrpmbhbM8SwPSQ7m4PpXAudPbPGTAEtt2H2NliDKDwMf3tqjFxakPYsllANwlF74OaqOkQ8Kdbq29gl6gaqqdPexK0HJ2lzXyqK0UCZj/s640/tokyp+sky.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">As long as we were there - 52 floors up atop the Mori tower - we went to the Mori Museum. And the Star Wars exhibit. Weird to hear Han Solo speaking Japanese - I expected it from Yoda.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My favorite piece was thin fabric and fans, the fabric billowing and twisting, rising and falling. Cannot remember the name of the artist, but the exhibit was about forms and was soothing, thought provoking, cool and elegant.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHhbx6GYoX71CeVBAEUdaUuNH7gpf4jbZqZw7Rv_DXkbqiZgbKB5-P6e5MFdbW4fly5dJp-_j9VDv3ryUKqWtH_6onXdGG6Z1ov4y2mA0kSr5aMxjeLEVVHGqR29aWOwlrseSkWrN4xA3R/s1600/IMG_9113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHhbx6GYoX71CeVBAEUdaUuNH7gpf4jbZqZw7Rv_DXkbqiZgbKB5-P6e5MFdbW4fly5dJp-_j9VDv3ryUKqWtH_6onXdGG6Z1ov4y2mA0kSr5aMxjeLEVVHGqR29aWOwlrseSkWrN4xA3R/s640/IMG_9113.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A few more memories from our madcap tour:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjJG2Zu8cnq6LRJf_jzUpN36skCOILmg8DW2bOs7tYYeMG_LEkhbvObG2SgCQ_VeG8pFDjrnKv1dZAY6QIO295UGYgZwHNTTqI0cXTvjlNKATZH3IlADk2wa-oT9C2vzYNQiAH886dJh8/s1600/jinrick+all3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjJG2Zu8cnq6LRJf_jzUpN36skCOILmg8DW2bOs7tYYeMG_LEkhbvObG2SgCQ_VeG8pFDjrnKv1dZAY6QIO295UGYgZwHNTTqI0cXTvjlNKATZH3IlADk2wa-oT9C2vzYNQiAH886dJh8/s640/jinrick+all3.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">No, silly, that's not our jinrickshaw driver - that's Miyuki. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At the Asakusa shrine, girls rent kimonos for their visit. Have lunch at a noodle shop on a side street. Get your fortune told at the temple (this involves shaking sticks and paper slips). If your fortune is bad, tie it to the temple and leave it behind. The smoke from all the incense in supposed to cure what ails you, and if nothing ails you, it's good for that too. Holy Smoke, Miuki says. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuylsocMyFT_gk3jUw5Zhyc9VMWRIllrfT6VdUdHGqVFZRrcJYz_RsgigsoedZiSNKJW42mzV5r2OD1WmI3NYVqai_l2BF98MpEpdxWV4GBWZADIsLIZXdctLCRBcASwttCFaqT43AwJ9w/s1600/kimono+gorls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuylsocMyFT_gk3jUw5Zhyc9VMWRIllrfT6VdUdHGqVFZRrcJYz_RsgigsoedZiSNKJW42mzV5r2OD1WmI3NYVqai_l2BF98MpEpdxWV4GBWZADIsLIZXdctLCRBcASwttCFaqT43AwJ9w/s640/kimono+gorls.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">And some restaurant recommendations for your next trip to Roppongi:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1307/A130701/13005298/">Gonpachi</a> for sushi - make a reservation for the third floor; you can't get sushi on the first two floors. Altho they are very picturesque...but the third floor has a lovely garden. And did I mention the sushi? </span><span style="font-size: large;">This is where Dubya and Shinzo Abe dined. Sushi here is smaller, fresher, and sweeter, not soft and mushy and too big for one bite - like ours at home. A revelation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g1066451-d6513261-Reviews-Seryna-Minato_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html">Seryna Restaurant</a> for sukiyaki or shabu-shabu. Great people watching - the designer clothes, the handbags, the manners and family dynamics.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And Atelier Joel Robuchon in a weird underground warren attached to the Roppongi train station. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxnqzRDVHPumYaazMv7GYvCVyKbl2XqXeQoQt81uqys0gZg_fghbxUdYXvXiKXmSog-OR38kdIxuKYfDz3CHiqaooHxGdgEKUXXSJI16WADJ6jYct47i4SCEm8GAQVhHt14Dr8WcCMNtPC/s1600/joel+roubichon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxnqzRDVHPumYaazMv7GYvCVyKbl2XqXeQoQt81uqys0gZg_fghbxUdYXvXiKXmSog-OR38kdIxuKYfDz3CHiqaooHxGdgEKUXXSJI16WADJ6jYct47i4SCEm8GAQVhHt14Dr8WcCMNtPC/s640/joel+roubichon.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Green beans with caviar and gold leaf, wasabi cream and grated hard-boiled egg...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQLzht8iXLtHfk5APWyrbbgBDJL40bJrc300kbxzqwJ6VoKy_BfjYC22J_ZpTpu8uuJgc7fz3Og2Ggfa8gR91IZziHS9Gr2NyxpOGO0Rrm5BdkvQZc1JKu1PCeXaZNnBFEZYD05Ips4TA/s1600/joel+green+beans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQLzht8iXLtHfk5APWyrbbgBDJL40bJrc300kbxzqwJ6VoKy_BfjYC22J_ZpTpu8uuJgc7fz3Og2Ggfa8gR91IZziHS9Gr2NyxpOGO0Rrm5BdkvQZc1JKu1PCeXaZNnBFEZYD05Ips4TA/s640/joel+green+beans.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Foie Gras on risotto with the most delicious vinegar-butter-cabernet reduction to balance the richness...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTK3YMfOTfFrYHEw3W4rr7gZZO662xDLQpnqVm6M-8tS0_T02Nj-Fy3jw92ztDmP4SASPaHYeH5F6cCy_QrchEGq3M_wDQhbB1wGWMr4NFGK7uhLwV7mHJO9Mcoy-UyT6IjV6GETK0xgw/s1600/joel+r+foie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTK3YMfOTfFrYHEw3W4rr7gZZO662xDLQpnqVm6M-8tS0_T02Nj-Fy3jw92ztDmP4SASPaHYeH5F6cCy_QrchEGq3M_wDQhbB1wGWMr4NFGK7uhLwV7mHJO9Mcoy-UyT6IjV6GETK0xgw/s640/joel+r+foie.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> And the unbelievably tender Wagyu beef. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwtgk4f2AoWFtAUBmS2nnvhLXqvWll5dnbioO0WEX29EgOPWxDSZZaWsCRZB3JOjgu305yKguzHkDzx8lTI4i3qNQEJs2T20DHH1t1JnQ7ZXwYImG4vbrsZ2qm1RW4jW6NGwLxnx7HcGt/s1600/joel+r+wagyu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwtgk4f2AoWFtAUBmS2nnvhLXqvWll5dnbioO0WEX29EgOPWxDSZZaWsCRZB3JOjgu305yKguzHkDzx8lTI4i3qNQEJs2T20DHH1t1JnQ7ZXwYImG4vbrsZ2qm1RW4jW6NGwLxnx7HcGt/s640/joel+r+wagyu.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Wally said it was as rich and tender as my foie gras. Since he tasted both, he would know.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Off to rest up for our next meal. </span><br />
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Postcards From The Hedgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08946298237280064798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705372788300419595.post-51297971657584369262015-05-12T20:47:00.000-07:002015-05-12T20:49:40.515-07:00Pasta With Prosciutto and Peas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1014587-fresh-pasta-with-prosciutto-and-peas">Pasta with Prosciutto and Peas.</a> Yum. With home-made pasta it is transcendent. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I found this recipe in the NY Times, and since my mom gave me a pasta bike for my birthday years ago (with a stern warning about never never never washing it!) I whipped up a batch. Of pasta.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My hands were too messy to photograph the mixing-the-eggs-with-the-flour stage. But then it came together into a nice lump:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLWlrN1Ab4KPM4UdxE-rMB-Dh6oATz8liqb6HgBviwGG8WGB8Ky0V43kW3lm47TVRLlbPzGQPq8g49DIAMYrMzKiv5ouBQ0N3rGUf7I9h_nekatsi17yyMl2FDQXyfFBzvRBN86DDfQjig/s1600/IMG_4811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLWlrN1Ab4KPM4UdxE-rMB-Dh6oATz8liqb6HgBviwGG8WGB8Ky0V43kW3lm47TVRLlbPzGQPq8g49DIAMYrMzKiv5ouBQ0N3rGUf7I9h_nekatsi17yyMl2FDQXyfFBzvRBN86DDfQjig/s640/IMG_4811.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Which I have learned to let rest for a few hours, well wrapped in plastic. Take a nap, go for a walk. Then run it thru the pasta bike on the biggest setting, folding and re-cranking it thru until it is smooth and elastic.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Set the pasta bike on smaller and smaller settings, until:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">you decide it's thin enough. Or too long to handle. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm5Qr9TiQJIGau-2ZdA53rIZGb5vsfC29K_gc2rW1KFESXpxB05geBX_kaDqHzd5QYYaHKetZYLdyUOBwkxOpVHxJ_dh0b_EfS4Bz5GWUPgf0nGnPUGpPkjIeBEleJVoqSV0SwoQTmQlZB/s1600/IMG_4817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm5Qr9TiQJIGau-2ZdA53rIZGb5vsfC29K_gc2rW1KFESXpxB05geBX_kaDqHzd5QYYaHKetZYLdyUOBwkxOpVHxJ_dh0b_EfS4Bz5GWUPgf0nGnPUGpPkjIeBEleJVoqSV0SwoQTmQlZB/s640/IMG_4817.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Hint: you can cut the dough into shorter pieces to make it easier to handle...especially when you're running it thru the cutting rollers. Short sheets will save you a great deal of grief. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmENQ9yzPQVA3VM3WEYIMrAfWMtT1koxNZifydBTYd3SKmYhevByIt1fzBVb91WaN3eVSE55eoCitv80DefaNppixQJDhPcmTxy8FqATCIcuFPNN6NlT6VUe5WI0ucJIHey1pjXRAnD7O/s1600/IMG_4822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmENQ9yzPQVA3VM3WEYIMrAfWMtT1koxNZifydBTYd3SKmYhevByIt1fzBVb91WaN3eVSE55eoCitv80DefaNppixQJDhPcmTxy8FqATCIcuFPNN6NlT6VUe5WI0ucJIHey1pjXRAnD7O/s640/IMG_4822.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Once the pasta is cut I toss it with flour to keep it from sticking together...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_0mkalEVJBdSeFQyLcTp7C6GovXNjKsltfUYIk73V8o-gP9n99CrYBv24LhNlOxzX8Em8PmShz-MuKtEMmUX4Y3evkqf53bBZCPRZEHGlO73wowq1NwIOkC8BPbvbtIVk4cUCQPtZpJz/s1600/IMG_4808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_0mkalEVJBdSeFQyLcTp7C6GovXNjKsltfUYIk73V8o-gP9n99CrYBv24LhNlOxzX8Em8PmShz-MuKtEMmUX4Y3evkqf53bBZCPRZEHGlO73wowq1NwIOkC8BPbvbtIVk4cUCQPtZpJz/s640/IMG_4808.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I learned this from Ian when he was four. Thank you Ian. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">A little boiled cream...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">some chives and prosciutto...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpRPhBA878fnYz3TuAYqE6Qm6_It0Z-ORGC9LO8EsZb208XzDJ5WEYp8zPtqUxpY9O_2YOiHVwJQViN1p1i01PNxgNjg0Ok2GWHnYOctrto7feP8NkvbzYtcA3T9Vk880S_-1YTO3I0fgm/s1600/IMG_4825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpRPhBA878fnYz3TuAYqE6Qm6_It0Z-ORGC9LO8EsZb208XzDJ5WEYp8zPtqUxpY9O_2YOiHVwJQViN1p1i01PNxgNjg0Ok2GWHnYOctrto7feP8NkvbzYtcA3T9Vk880S_-1YTO3I0fgm/s640/IMG_4825.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">and of course some parmigiano Reggiano. Accept no substitutes.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjokEXVZeJxsuecSPcwgR4vdGTDWSzwlk3U0Jym2o2aXy-hq4UW5JEwKaZOJGs15NWR-QDJzhBbX_Ly7drjSp6z4DfCFU_Yg5MqPX9JLH9k2Z3qmOu6Ns_LHgkPHF-3EHWegan20euy7Tfd/s1600/IMG_4831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjokEXVZeJxsuecSPcwgR4vdGTDWSzwlk3U0Jym2o2aXy-hq4UW5JEwKaZOJGs15NWR-QDJzhBbX_Ly7drjSp6z4DfCFU_Yg5MqPX9JLH9k2Z3qmOu6Ns_LHgkPHF-3EHWegan20euy7Tfd/s640/IMG_4831.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Open some white wine. Preferably outside. In the garden. With someone you love. This is too good and delicate to waste on anyone else.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmb1GukR9MmG3-cpnCdfegO3g1crkzN3rXqutQDMHQYmhxfFSkxMjUiov1j0BrcbMtMDAqqCz6EJrjL3IiWSZGctJAUemkehiQrofnBkdff31sl6RqmzgEmD63S8GPIzYAbjAYNK8zLC7Y/s1600/IMG_4837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmb1GukR9MmG3-cpnCdfegO3g1crkzN3rXqutQDMHQYmhxfFSkxMjUiov1j0BrcbMtMDAqqCz6EJrjL3IiWSZGctJAUemkehiQrofnBkdff31sl6RqmzgEmD63S8GPIzYAbjAYNK8zLC7Y/s640/IMG_4837.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Now, what's for dessert?</span></div>
Postcards From The Hedgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08946298237280064798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705372788300419595.post-9441882019852757172015-04-30T21:58:00.002-07:002015-04-30T21:59:50.534-07:00May To Do In The Garden<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Once again, thanks to those lovely and oh-so-knowledgeable folks at Sloat, here is what needs doing in the garden in May. If you live in Northern Ca. Of course since we have a <i>miserable</i> drought and s</span><i style="font-size: x-large;">corching </i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">hot weather (90 in April...really!) I recommend mixing yourself a gin and tonic. It won't alleviate the drought, but it makes watching your garden wilt a little easier to take. Just a little. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<h1 class="post-title page-title" style="background-color: white; color: #007a3d; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 30px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px !important;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">May</span></h1>
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #555555; line-height: 24px;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Plant annuals like petunias, marigolds, begonias, lobelia, salvia and zinnia.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Re-seed radishes, carrots and beets.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Plant late summer edibles like pumpkins, squash, sunflowers, peppers, basil and melons.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Select garden-ready dahlias, perennials, hydrangeas, and hanging baskets.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Fertilize rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias with <strong>E.B. Stone Organics Azalea, Camellia & Gardenia Food</strong>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Give vegetables a boost with <strong>E.B. Stone Organics Tomato and Vegetable Food</strong>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Feed containers and hanging baskets with <strong>Maxsea All Purpose fertilizer</strong>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Plant new containers with <strong>E.B. Stone Formula 420</strong> to provide the best moisture holding capacity.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Prune spring-flowering shrubs after bloom is past. Prune spring flowering Clematis to control size and shape.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Mulch vegetable and flower beds with <strong>Sloat Forest Mulch Plus</strong> to control weeds and conserve moisture.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Freshen up containers and replace spent annuals with colorful 4-inch perennials such as verbena, calibrachoa, coleus, bacopa and ipomoea.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Don’t forget mom on Mother’s Day! We have blooming flowers, gift cards, and hanging baskets.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Check out our selection of specialty hand tools, gloves and sun protective hats.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Release ladybugs and other beneficial insects to help control aphids, mites, whiteflies, and other garden pests.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The spittle bugs have returned! <a href="http://www.sloatgardens.com/the-spittle-bugs-have-returned/" style="background: transparent; color: #007a3d; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Learn more. ></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Stake tall perennials such as Dahlias.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Use beneficial nematodes to manage grubs in your lawn</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Deadhead spring bulbs but leave the foliage until it turns yellow.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Pinch back late summer and fall perennials to promote better flowering, especially mums and asters.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Check your hose fittings for spent washers and leaks. Ensure your hose has a shut off valve or other water conserving feature. Consider a soaker hose to conserve water in your vegetable garden.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
Postcards From The Hedgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08946298237280064798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705372788300419595.post-2758126099462448622015-04-23T21:06:00.002-07:002015-04-23T21:09:28.095-07:00David Monn, Paula Pryke, and the Most Beautiful Flowers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">We went to see <a href="http://davidmonn.com/">David Monn</a> speak at the De Young last week - he is the uber-talented event planner (and that does not even begin to cover what he can do) and flower arranger, and he brought some photos of his events. Stunning. And they will probably never be published; his clients are apparently rich, famous, and very private. He did not name drop, but some of the parties he did are in someone's book... alas we were not allowed to photograph the power point. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">He made luscious arrangements, moving so fast he was a blur:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09MNyK7fpEEYIXQrXATzy9dTND_ErnvPe17k4Uf12xFMPnmnZ7_OwdAs4VIhPNA9wTQpYbPoi3BDnFfi95LSEpejbREqq47jFFtGhXT_P19jkSaHMRyCqzkMy0u9N_Mc3EnPh7dQUJOzb/s1600/DSCN0374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09MNyK7fpEEYIXQrXATzy9dTND_ErnvPe17k4Uf12xFMPnmnZ7_OwdAs4VIhPNA9wTQpYbPoi3BDnFfi95LSEpejbREqq47jFFtGhXT_P19jkSaHMRyCqzkMy0u9N_Mc3EnPh7dQUJOzb/s1600/DSCN0374.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and then he set the table. I think I need...well, everything. Bolder linens, more dishes, whimsical stemware...and little gold chairs. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRS_eb81YhvG7Obhb28OQWkIaUNIoaJT_EylHx5q8LnswzZL8HUerVydqrcYjkRFgU3FENNSjzRsuXCUURLAsOhWz8EPF466a8V57sFjG6kxvVkpnJCAQR3Tnnj4VZBj7tkglfA1uo8nmN/s1600/DSCN0381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRS_eb81YhvG7Obhb28OQWkIaUNIoaJT_EylHx5q8LnswzZL8HUerVydqrcYjkRFgU3FENNSjzRsuXCUURLAsOhWz8EPF466a8V57sFjG6kxvVkpnJCAQR3Tnnj4VZBj7tkglfA1uo8nmN/s1600/DSCN0381.jpg" height="518" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> If he doesn't give you inspiration for your next party, there is no hope for you.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ewZK4oBtuePUs06-VoYZSo5nYKc5qQ2dhj7ZOpH1-TPP8fnDL5_u-FxW5h9o0DDZOtTMAvnPoK7crAgEQZfs7PeKTHKxkAkdFvJR8TFzwxCFqzQ0fiNGrdaSFWW3wI9gSR3oTPRMSMLY/s1600/DSCN0386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ewZK4oBtuePUs06-VoYZSo5nYKc5qQ2dhj7ZOpH1-TPP8fnDL5_u-FxW5h9o0DDZOtTMAvnPoK7crAgEQZfs7PeKTHKxkAkdFvJR8TFzwxCFqzQ0fiNGrdaSFWW3wI9gSR3oTPRMSMLY/s1600/DSCN0386.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">He did one huge all-foliage arrangement on a ladder...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvOedckkCWYRrmXB61GfhChfgceDyTPiB_-7akgwpl-UwDvJaDIOSEIou5ySpXZXhoggNW72ghx2VyQu59hJ39jcDFaQ4xITfReyCfWhfl6VI3cwmOeZgX6mkYCAZJ1b4mMCc3eWVUdWh/s1600/DSCN0396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvOedckkCWYRrmXB61GfhChfgceDyTPiB_-7akgwpl-UwDvJaDIOSEIou5ySpXZXhoggNW72ghx2VyQu59hJ39jcDFaQ4xITfReyCfWhfl6VI3cwmOeZgX6mkYCAZJ1b4mMCc3eWVUdWh/s1600/DSCN0396.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><span style="text-align: left;">I think I'm gonna need a bigger house...</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7433oK0zaB-rrXYCqOx041K6Cb4mgKK1Xaz2nSjwIjZaccJ7Zv4SgKwQf0gdgidfpa66yWQcmzh8G55lPgwosCKm8oW_uF-g0yUCzRqbMLGCr07oNrQn_qcJM7kRKuVbRGLMFI56PWBU-/s1600/DSCN0401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7433oK0zaB-rrXYCqOx041K6Cb4mgKK1Xaz2nSjwIjZaccJ7Zv4SgKwQf0gdgidfpa66yWQcmzh8G55lPgwosCKm8oW_uF-g0yUCzRqbMLGCr07oNrQn_qcJM7kRKuVbRGLMFI56PWBU-/s1600/DSCN0401.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">...and maybe a minion or two.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">An East Coast friend tells the story of the most over-the-top wedding ever: "He gave her an unlimited budget...and she exceeded it." David says his clients tell him the same thing. I wonder if he did that wedding?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.paulapryke.com/">Paula Pryke</a> was there too, and what with her shop, her seventeen books, her international lectures, her collecting honors from the Queen via Prince William (and making him laugh) and her whirlwind arrangements, we all felt we should be doing just a bit more...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKehTCoJbEk5rsA21g6w7juv4d3goTw9vGMTw3CEqO_Rux7Ll06NyzbcqD162GOQ_YIMTnwFj16dE-uOjcEafBxa-YIIqV8fkTh2u5-OT1WRR4Z083iJ46DbXrhKVO8KNbXqklVg95iGKK/s1600/DSCN0409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKehTCoJbEk5rsA21g6w7juv4d3goTw9vGMTw3CEqO_Rux7Ll06NyzbcqD162GOQ_YIMTnwFj16dE-uOjcEafBxa-YIIqV8fkTh2u5-OT1WRR4Z083iJ46DbXrhKVO8KNbXqklVg95iGKK/s1600/DSCN0409.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Love her style...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64-qa6ASjVlVoNZiKgdhJX3UalyU4v1G5_0VsAKbuIQB8j4xpDJ-DH1Yz6MBEs5prhwqs4XI4mFx2FE3_14E_ghLwCKkMb0-KT4U5TGMmnyIOM61-9xyShROyQOu6Ud5WiYJJhrqHb1eq/s1600/DSCN0408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64-qa6ASjVlVoNZiKgdhJX3UalyU4v1G5_0VsAKbuIQB8j4xpDJ-DH1Yz6MBEs5prhwqs4XI4mFx2FE3_14E_ghLwCKkMb0-KT4U5TGMmnyIOM61-9xyShROyQOu6Ud5WiYJJhrqHb1eq/s1600/DSCN0408.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">And yet right here at </span><a href="http://www.chezpanisse.com/intro.php" style="font-size: x-large;">Chez Panisse</a><span style="font-size: large;"> I found flowers just as evocative, just as lovely...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikiGGDjl3wjbxUPfGCoOTrLPWAtNcPuJGI3DxCPNQk7Im9O2F03JYHiWjPT2AuXs9UbPo0em9j-C0lpg971AsIGXrEemMh5T9Av5qJb3pfjI7GWaGgjCZss-DzlFm4mbLMXGlfD-JYSZxm/s1600/IMG_4767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikiGGDjl3wjbxUPfGCoOTrLPWAtNcPuJGI3DxCPNQk7Im9O2F03JYHiWjPT2AuXs9UbPo0em9j-C0lpg971AsIGXrEemMh5T9Av5qJb3pfjI7GWaGgjCZss-DzlFm4mbLMXGlfD-JYSZxm/s1600/IMG_4767.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">And more my style. Love the looseness. We live in such a wonderful part of the world.</span></div>
Postcards From The Hedgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08946298237280064798noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705372788300419595.post-11970395308340714082015-04-22T21:26:00.002-07:002015-04-22T21:26:14.628-07:00Hot Tomato<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">okay, so I write an advice column for a garden club newsletter, and I had a woman corner me at a meeting and <i>insist</i> she should not have to rotate her tomatoes, because the were in the only sunny spot in her garden, and should be allowed to stay there, free of disease, no matter the laws of nature.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I didn't have the heart to tell her she's not that special. Actually I tried, but she was on broadcast, not receive. But if she reads this, maybe she'll get the idea...or maybe not. A friend once told me you can write the most outrageous, egregious things your friends have done; as long as you change their names they won't recognize themselves. So far I have kept that urge in check, but I'm thinking about breaking out.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">So here is my advice to that Hot Tomato. And stay tuned: more advice columns to come.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Sage Advice May 2015</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">by Mary A. Gardener</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Dear Mary: </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I am getting ready to plant my tomatoes, and I am being told that I can’t plant them in the same place as last year! That can’t be right; it’s the only sunny spot in my garden! This is an old wives’ tale, right?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Hot Tomato</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Dear Hot Tomato:</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Alas, it is not. Old wives get blamed for a lot of things, but they are not responsible for your tomatoes.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Tomatoes are susceptible to a whole host of diseases - fusarium wilt, causing the plant to yellow and then collapse; verticillium wilt, causing the plant to wilt, yellow, and then collapse - are you seeing a trend here? And some other really colorful things like cottony leak, sour rot, and spotted wilt. May you never make their acquaintance. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Unfortunately, these diseases are not swayed by your argument that you have only one sunny spot in your garden so should be allowed to plant your tomatoes there every year with impunity. You may avoid the diseases for years, but once you get them, they will stay. And stay. Like distant unwelcome relatives at the holidays, the are very hard to get rid of - although, unlike relatives they can be controlled. By rotating their location - more on that later. Come to think of it, if you rotate <i>your</i> location, maybe the relatives won’t be able to find you? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Mary’s sister had huge healthy tomato plants, the envy of the neighborhood (and Mary), until one day they just keeled over, all six-plus feet of them, and died. Loaded with green tomatoes. Heartbreaking.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Mary’s sister tried growing her tomatoes in pots, in raised beds with fresh soil, and they always looked great at the beginning of the season (hope springs eternal; so do tomatoes), but just as Mary's sister was buying the mozzarella and snipping the basil for her salad, the tomatoes would keel over and die. Again. And again. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">So what do you do? First, don’t plant <i>any</i> of the solanums (that’s the tomato family, and includes potatoes, peppers, eggplant and tobacco, ornamental and otherwise) in the same bed more than once every four years. Yes, you heard me right - four years. And if you have - or suspect - a problem, take out the plants, bag them securely and put them in the trash. Not on the compost. Trash.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">And sterilize your tools! this includes shovels, trowels, pruners, and gloves. And hands. Clorox wipes (I know, I know) are handy, but a dilute bleach solution in a spray bottle works too. A shovel is how, we think, Mary’s sister’s garden got so badly infested. Eventually she moved to Seattle. If you rotate your tomatoes, you should be able to stay in your home and enjoy your tomatoes - and Garden Club - for many years.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Happy Gardening - Mary</span></span></div>
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Postcards From The Hedgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08946298237280064798noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705372788300419595.post-564523070780575952015-04-02T21:57:00.000-07:002015-04-02T21:57:07.403-07:00To Do In April<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">So just in case you have some spare time this weekend - bwaa ha ha - here, courtesy of <a href="http://www.sloatgardens.com/locations/danville/">Sloat Nursery in Danville, CA</a>, is what to do in your garden now. If you live in California. In the north. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">If you are still shivering under a blanket of snow, may I recommend a Caribbean vacation? Or a realtor?</span><br />
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<h1 class="post-title page-title" style="background-color: white; color: #007a3d; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 30px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px !important;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">April</span></h1>
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #555555; line-height: 24px;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Prune back herbaceous perennials (example: salvia), to promote plant bushiness.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Grow your own food this summer! Now is the time to plant edibles like lettuce, tomatoes, herbs, zucchini and berries. Consider a soaker hose to conserve water in your vegetable garden.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Prevent powdery mildew and rust on roses and other plants with <b>Bonide Neem Oil</b>. Already have a powdery mildew problem? Treat with <b>Actinovate </b>or <b>Serenade.</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Aphids are beginning to appear. Stop them early with <b>Bonide Neem Oil</b>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Tomatoes: choose a large cage — your plants will surely grow larger!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Plant a tree, shrub, flower or edible for Earth Day or Arbor Day.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Stake perennials like Delphinium, Foxglove, peony, coreopsis, garden phlox, hollyhock, centranthus, and Shasta daisy.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Start planting summer annuals like lobelia, begonia, marigolds, cosmos, petunias, snapdragon and alyssum. Use<b> Sure</b> <b>Start </b>fertilizer for new plantings to establish them quickly.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Apply a lawn fertilizer such as <b>E</b><b>.</b><b>B</b><b>.</b><b> Stone</b> <b>Nature’s Green</b> to green up your grass gently.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Stock up on a season’s-worth of top quality, plant-specific fertilizers from <b>E.B. Stone.</b>The “Naturals” and “Organics” lines are environmentally friendly.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Snails and slugs are hatching in your garden right now. Non-toxic <b>Sluggo </b>can help.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Mulch vegetable and flower beds with <b>Sloat Forest Mulch Plus</b>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Release ladybugs, praying mantis, and other beneficial insects to help control aphids, mites, whiteflies, and other garden pests. If you release beneficial insects, please don’t spray for garden pests.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Work cover crops into the soil before they seed.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Say yes to summer bulbs! Plant gladiolus, dahlias & lilies. Put stakes in place at the time of planting.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Shop for clematis and other spring bloomers.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">It’s also time to start choosing and planting summer perennials: Penstemon, Salvia, Argyranthemum...</span></li>
</ul>
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Postcards From The Hedgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08946298237280064798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705372788300419595.post-68987201659230335792015-03-24T20:38:00.000-07:002015-03-24T20:38:52.742-07:00Mirror, Mirror, On The Wall<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">The old mirror from our dining room sat in the hall, propped against the wall, for a very long time. We had bought it because a stager said we needed a mirror in the living room to sell our old house. The house sold, but the mirror was a bit of an orphan; it never really fit in. Cheesy plastic frame, fake - um, I mean <i>faux -</i> oak leaves. You get the picture. Not pretty. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The mirror over the fireplace is our new house has always been too small. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBCAVUesSy64ulCbVmTXKIYBMNEO6YkfkB6ncjyVk04cEDuwybqrvIkYtibhpQZCAEKdYsKBs5LajMCGMLpBjvpOTORZKD0Du0Arll2Mfhfm1f5qz9M1AUz_ZlI-yJaioeGVCzzk3NhQo/s1600/m+old+too+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBCAVUesSy64ulCbVmTXKIYBMNEO6YkfkB6ncjyVk04cEDuwybqrvIkYtibhpQZCAEKdYsKBs5LajMCGMLpBjvpOTORZKD0Du0Arll2Mfhfm1f5qz9M1AUz_ZlI-yJaioeGVCzzk3NhQo/s1600/m+old+too+small.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Ordered from a catalogue (in my more timid days) shipped from England in a huge wooden crate. By the time I got the crate open I had destroyed the crate - no way to send it back. Plus the shipping was almost the same as the cost of the mirror. So we lived with it. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgue4IVXQzODuiejjVdoH3sqejGDBgm4f3Raj2uM15H_dGeTRCx_jgUjDp3iOfktsslTwIizwjU9HuBmwhOrz7CRGglxGZyi3aDrOIW3ttb0E35Vfxg8GSaHn1aull7ZjvzsJVMXEy6vsJk/s1600/m+old+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgue4IVXQzODuiejjVdoH3sqejGDBgm4f3Raj2uM15H_dGeTRCx_jgUjDp3iOfktsslTwIizwjU9HuBmwhOrz7CRGglxGZyi3aDrOIW3ttb0E35Vfxg8GSaHn1aull7ZjvzsJVMXEy6vsJk/s1600/m+old+small.jpg" height="640" width="532" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">But although it was beautiful, and beautifully made, it was never right.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Walking by the plastic mirror one day, I got an idea. Always a dangerous thing. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhb41qYl_8nXQH4Y8h16yk1UwRAMlxwF22enVOi4tGsmerbk1lYwl_CHTYPZRwgEM25rUjtvVfa9njVfO81phK625FFXHTr8iVOKLABpS6mIZDmc8GS0YxbeTPQ8b5MTLoZedE8v5thuf/s1600/m+b4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhb41qYl_8nXQH4Y8h16yk1UwRAMlxwF22enVOi4tGsmerbk1lYwl_CHTYPZRwgEM25rUjtvVfa9njVfO81phK625FFXHTr8iVOKLABpS6mIZDmc8GS0YxbeTPQ8b5MTLoZedE8v5thuf/s1600/m+b4.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">So I got out my tape and measured. Then I got out the sizing and the gold leaf, and I went to work.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvW0IGZGt5tUXccnJayU9K8MfqR6lV4TOnb0zIUFNnQhK10nhwj7VnDCYEt1LLGx8BUKUmG9pMnVfwJo2G7Fhz8GXpMTMGTZ7N09WzWBTOvspzb6CERnCKhN1pJYIB8A6tddgh2fmHmPeR/s1600/m+1:2+best.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvW0IGZGt5tUXccnJayU9K8MfqR6lV4TOnb0zIUFNnQhK10nhwj7VnDCYEt1LLGx8BUKUmG9pMnVfwJo2G7Fhz8GXpMTMGTZ7N09WzWBTOvspzb6CERnCKhN1pJYIB8A6tddgh2fmHmPeR/s1600/m+1:2+best.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Our Italian class helped me turn it on its side so I could finish leafing all the the edges. <a href="http://www.idf31.com/xe/?mid=home">Image Framing</a> came and hung it above the mantle on a French clip (look it up). And...still not right. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_mGvjOQrLgRL2zOhCN43UD-_Ss0mzpQMTGXOOthuDJ2m5eXM06JERJmtLpRjopz9w_409kVlklP5tPl4yZjwkn2ioOQkDARwPJ1mWTKfdcUPsTE0mDphfJVbhOvDF4DHpLyca9yXPNKHT/s1600/m+b4.+capJPG.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_mGvjOQrLgRL2zOhCN43UD-_Ss0mzpQMTGXOOthuDJ2m5eXM06JERJmtLpRjopz9w_409kVlklP5tPl4yZjwkn2ioOQkDARwPJ1mWTKfdcUPsTE0mDphfJVbhOvDF4DHpLyca9yXPNKHT/s1600/m+b4.+capJPG.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">It needed to be taller, to have more of a finish at the top.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I went on line. Overdoors. I ordered two. One was cheesy gold plastic; I gold leafed it. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-htl-zL0i_THaCPQUkeGTacCF4dlVGCzQpoEO5JHf2HD1qn7LYb8RY0_-nEOQnnAI9g1qguldxbgcjt1iGcTKz9DZOOoXkMWwBFIbra5DWVPJMlDlGZiMkrm1taWnBMREPAQbyjw1ltp/s1600/crown.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-htl-zL0i_THaCPQUkeGTacCF4dlVGCzQpoEO5JHf2HD1qn7LYb8RY0_-nEOQnnAI9g1qguldxbgcjt1iGcTKz9DZOOoXkMWwBFIbra5DWVPJMlDlGZiMkrm1taWnBMREPAQbyjw1ltp/s1600/crown.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">One looked like wood. With a chicken. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wally loves the chicken. I love the swoopy gold crown, and the way the mirror now fills the space. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZacNVkclS8eFO6MSJCeqvewyTyIbr1s7gJweyf6F8uqsCcn_RCDT4JPAKneKFcm2QxMkBgJ9_HNDGFQzUmI0Bn5nIgN2UZgFqpESJQAREc5aI1mQaeca3U7ppyW9agff9OJTazVUyweW/s1600/m+finished.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZacNVkclS8eFO6MSJCeqvewyTyIbr1s7gJweyf6F8uqsCcn_RCDT4JPAKneKFcm2QxMkBgJ9_HNDGFQzUmI0Bn5nIgN2UZgFqpESJQAREc5aI1mQaeca3U7ppyW9agff9OJTazVUyweW/s1600/m+finished.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">And now, finally, it is right. </span></div>
Postcards From The Hedgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08946298237280064798noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705372788300419595.post-54628178746543969032015-03-17T17:45:00.004-07:002015-03-17T17:47:56.285-07:00Spring Has Sprung<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Spring has sprung, the grass has riz</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I wonder where the flowers is?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's a family tradition to recite that poem in spring, the origin of the tradition and the author of the poem lost in time. And what a spring this is! Cool overcast mornings, perfect for a cup of tea and a trip around the garden to collect a bouquet. Warm afternoons when I swear you can actually see the flowers opening. Cool evenings, the hummingbirds dive-bombing and the acorn woodpeckers squabbling on the feeders.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> So for my friends who are shivering under a blanket of snow, here's what's blooming in my garden now. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Crabapples are at their peak, the hot pink buds opening into the most delicate white flowers,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Elizabeth, the yellow magnolia, her flowers brilliant against the blue sky (unless you get up too early as I did and the sky is still grey ...)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy2B76A6unGYcvJK247HSViskSsMTKCcDzODyuL_5UrAWjnZqDSoAnUek9vtmX3YsDlT5Uv773Coy2_QEWt22KpKaCtRT7ppFTsvlJnR0SUOoLMGBJSkxzVY2E3yrlQ7GVQshHK20SKY0u/s1600/g+elizabeth.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy2B76A6unGYcvJK247HSViskSsMTKCcDzODyuL_5UrAWjnZqDSoAnUek9vtmX3YsDlT5Uv773Coy2_QEWt22KpKaCtRT7ppFTsvlJnR0SUOoLMGBJSkxzVY2E3yrlQ7GVQshHK20SKY0u/s1600/g+elizabeth.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Pink jasmine coats the fence, and perfumes my bedroom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lemons spill their sweet scent, the trees covered with fruit and flowers at the same time. Go figure.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The last of the narcissus are nodding near the birdbath,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">their yellow made stronger by the contrast of the Spanish bluebells.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_eRMb6CUDPeOe_JAqtQiWRUwlUTIxdWwZQJ0fGgZ9IdvTBhBoIzUGJoT8TP75ei6LAI0Tj0bFpk6YwUaZ1uLD2POqEAJfYjtZrJT0wDynunkRsFB6wvdogNWBlm7qKmPVnHHNVR4hvVL/s1600/g+spanish+bluebell.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_eRMb6CUDPeOe_JAqtQiWRUwlUTIxdWwZQJ0fGgZ9IdvTBhBoIzUGJoT8TP75ei6LAI0Tj0bFpk6YwUaZ1uLD2POqEAJfYjtZrJT0wDynunkRsFB6wvdogNWBlm7qKmPVnHHNVR4hvVL/s1600/g+spanish+bluebell.JPG" height="632" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaluqyE6t7GxJK7341o2HcSqoRyr9FJkkw4xZ8Tq4eqT3AGnfDuPA0563u_otIT4FsRFNfwczNWyv2ZNc7iyGcHWkkbd_rvEcTQzGqDtRhbMRJzdfOBMAgXz4W4kkcPOi8sRbv4YoX2187/s1600/g+birdbath.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaluqyE6t7GxJK7341o2HcSqoRyr9FJkkw4xZ8Tq4eqT3AGnfDuPA0563u_otIT4FsRFNfwczNWyv2ZNc7iyGcHWkkbd_rvEcTQzGqDtRhbMRJzdfOBMAgXz4W4kkcPOi8sRbv4YoX2187/s1600/g+birdbath.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ian's peach tree is full of promise. If we get any water, I predict a bumper crop. Big if.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ikwVIPjE4vzl72bMSs6tOmiNOv-Gs-HaHY66uQNxKuQn0qit3H9JJ5l1b9w7Wj_urRIiCzLspNAkrjTtYoeVOjl2k4S_P0XtKi18zANfiTpr4ik_j070SKjtlmlBZUgldNcJg0mVdivk/s1600/g+peach.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ikwVIPjE4vzl72bMSs6tOmiNOv-Gs-HaHY66uQNxKuQn0qit3H9JJ5l1b9w7Wj_urRIiCzLspNAkrjTtYoeVOjl2k4S_P0XtKi18zANfiTpr4ik_j070SKjtlmlBZUgldNcJg0mVdivk/s1600/g+peach.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Chinodoxa have spread into a low blue carpet,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Primrose and forget-me-nots have happily seeded together</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8UUFfWpj3WG92NXnUo3C4Ur_KNiZX9L35NCfggARPyETTFXfo-MigZDWPA8GYOvhvPrt0qwERC1tg40piUsWxX63QiK1Et8olRG2OwGJ2evmirnMZyAupbFJHzMqS158vucPWJBBgAZL/s1600/g+promrose.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8UUFfWpj3WG92NXnUo3C4Ur_KNiZX9L35NCfggARPyETTFXfo-MigZDWPA8GYOvhvPrt0qwERC1tg40piUsWxX63QiK1Et8olRG2OwGJ2evmirnMZyAupbFJHzMqS158vucPWJBBgAZL/s1600/g+promrose.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The white wisteria on the side of the garage smells like the Orient - sweet, sandalwoody, exotic.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9TQe3mznxktOtcsl6ZY3irbDDJUCQth-Xp_7Ov-xx-R9tv9SBiVFh1anaRb_Sxi9y9iMZJHd3CzdIeQIy5dX00zRC7eVXSGMA0ZB36XPaor18rCvUsp36VSqz6w9rJ8Y7Gl0gkQen0cC/s1600/g+wisteria.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9TQe3mznxktOtcsl6ZY3irbDDJUCQth-Xp_7Ov-xx-R9tv9SBiVFh1anaRb_Sxi9y9iMZJHd3CzdIeQIy5dX00zRC7eVXSGMA0ZB36XPaor18rCvUsp36VSqz6w9rJ8Y7Gl0gkQen0cC/s1600/g+wisteria.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Heuchera and forget-me-nots carpet the shade,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnsc3mskwlmSqm9uEBE5C-fSCP-KwbAbpdzDg9mSFn6aTV4yeyFso1gdHvIrdUBADC0eYJMVKotezbsy5fb3PoIRAxNrm6aTfA2km4JI5bFpsNBtxnrmbpouOaJISxG611HkCdabbS-ieU/s1600/g+lemon+and+blue.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnsc3mskwlmSqm9uEBE5C-fSCP-KwbAbpdzDg9mSFn6aTV4yeyFso1gdHvIrdUBADC0eYJMVKotezbsy5fb3PoIRAxNrm6aTfA2km4JI5bFpsNBtxnrmbpouOaJISxG611HkCdabbS-ieU/s1600/g+lemon+and+blue.JPG" height="504" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> and there are so many blooms on the loropetalum it's almost boring...almost.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0xJUSMYhBaEWbv3M68mfpGHCh4Q9Hle4l-e2uG538NU0VgdprdSMY75QxAAtExn3zjh7iRMaL6Sn1JqFoV5GljMz1nAm7IRvTimugiJgi8ukN-CrYbd5up4-LUyit_KCuw5DWSEj7fBlq/s1600/g+lorop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0xJUSMYhBaEWbv3M68mfpGHCh4Q9Hle4l-e2uG538NU0VgdprdSMY75QxAAtExn3zjh7iRMaL6Sn1JqFoV5GljMz1nAm7IRvTimugiJgi8ukN-CrYbd5up4-LUyit_KCuw5DWSEj7fBlq/s1600/g+lorop.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And the weird red cones of the melianthus major stand out against its toothed grey leaves. You would think something that looks this butch would be tough, and deer resistant. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88q7GTbbA_X9ZG_tBMO_jyTwA4BATXGts8cclxqNUVFjDcn_K9m9f8ickuZ1Dqqo_YbwLX-yZf7GvndYLniNnRVbNDDe7dBWQS89aGiP9cTJ4jpD-BLKowUBab7M6hPRQNV2Hrncg590i/s1600/g+melianthus.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88q7GTbbA_X9ZG_tBMO_jyTwA4BATXGts8cclxqNUVFjDcn_K9m9f8ickuZ1Dqqo_YbwLX-yZf7GvndYLniNnRVbNDDe7dBWQS89aGiP9cTJ4jpD-BLKowUBab7M6hPRQNV2Hrncg590i/s1600/g+melianthus.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You would be wrong.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I know I'll be sad when it's baking hot and there is no water, and I will think with envy of those friends who garden where it rains in summer. But right now? Right now it's glorious, and I am so happy.</span></div>
</div>
Postcards From The Hedgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08946298237280064798noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705372788300419595.post-38129276482821676802015-03-12T08:59:00.001-07:002015-03-12T08:59:50.128-07:00Fish Face<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">Whenever Wally takes my picture I look like a manatee. Or as Marco said, ready for rehab. It's been a little hard on my self esteem. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So it was great to learn from Monika Olsen in our digital photography class (at <a href="http://www.acalanes.k12.ca.us/adulted">Acalanes Adult Education</a>) <i>why</i> I look like a manatee - and that it's an artifact of the camera, not a personal failing, or a reason to schedule plastic surgery. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This is Carolyn's deliciously steaming fish without the zoom, just getting close with the camera.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT9RR1yjxTSx-1if8fnYA7S8UaRWDe_E_EAsJgjP5kHDiv25qzOI418FGmqR7A4P1mJhjjXR_Ji80QMfiwlDhlgFGilatcCe2fdf-oy07RcA1OIq8MY_ShNn18MRz7_vRkktK77QAcM4Lt/s1600/IMG_0266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT9RR1yjxTSx-1if8fnYA7S8UaRWDe_E_EAsJgjP5kHDiv25qzOI418FGmqR7A4P1mJhjjXR_Ji80QMfiwlDhlgFGilatcCe2fdf-oy07RcA1OIq8MY_ShNn18MRz7_vRkktK77QAcM4Lt/s1600/IMG_0266.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Note the fish-eye effect? (pun intended)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Here is the same shot but standing back a little and using the zoom: </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBLae2yF7ev2VMTLN5FEp5QfIarnYJBEqxfUEXwZWePOhlJIaoPm96_bTL8q2KchD9k-BawFANyC71_2-KKrDpPotZVDjjs0-Rh40DjJ0G6QqvBYF0K5ob6gh5L_osIAEj6eZtBNSrGZHd/s1600/IMG_0267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBLae2yF7ev2VMTLN5FEp5QfIarnYJBEqxfUEXwZWePOhlJIaoPm96_bTL8q2KchD9k-BawFANyC71_2-KKrDpPotZVDjjs0-Rh40DjJ0G6QqvBYF0K5ob6gh5L_osIAEj6eZtBNSrGZHd/s1600/IMG_0267.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Magic! And the manatee face explained. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We learned a lot of other stuff too - mostly what I learned is except for the zoom there is nothing a point-and-shoot camera can do that the iphone can't do better. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So I am now the proud owner of a Nikon P530 with a 42x optical zoom. Oh and I also learned to turn off the digital zoom. It does nothing that you can't do better on your computer later.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I chose the Nikon because it's light and relatively small. Will my photos improve? Stay tuned.</span></div>
Postcards From The Hedgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08946298237280064798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705372788300419595.post-64233343083862751752015-03-11T15:35:00.000-07:002015-03-11T15:35:07.181-07:00What To Do In March<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h1 class="post-title page-title" style="background-color: white; color: #007a3d; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 30px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px !important;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 1;">Here, courtesy of the lovely folks at <a href="http://www.sloatgardens.com/">Sloat Garden Center</a>, is what to do in your garden in March. Don't forget to thank them, preferably by shopping there! </span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 1;">What To Do In March</span></h1>
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #555555; line-height: 24px;">
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Wake up the garden by feeding it. We recommend:</span><ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>Maxsea</b> fertilizer is ideal for feeding container plants. Houseplants will enjoy a feeding with Maxsea 16-16-16 as will your over-wintered containers and baskets</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>E.B. Stone Sure Start </b>fertilizer for new plantings to establish them quickly.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Fertilize your garden with <b>E.B. Stone Organics All Purpose</b>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Stock up on top quality, plant-specific fertilizers like: <b>E.B. Stone Organics Rose & Flower, Tomato & Vegetable, and Citrus & Fruit.</b> All E.B. Stone fertilizers promote healthy plants and the soil beneath them because of mycorrhizae.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Continue to prepare planting beds for spring. Test your soil for pH, nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium and add the appropriate fertilizer or supplement. We recommend amending your soil with <b>Sloat Loam Builder, Sloat Forest Mulch Plus or Sloat Planting Mix</b>. Also, add <b>E.B Stone’s Agricultural Lime or Grow More</b><b>Max</b><b>i-</b><b>Cal </b>to soil to provide needed calcium for vegetables & fruit to prevent blossom end rot.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Rhododendrons and azaleas are budding and blooming. Now is the best time to choose new plants. Feed plants with <b>EB Stone Organics Azalea Camellia and Gardenia Food </b>after flowering</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It’s Vegetable Planting Time! Organic vegetable starts & seeds are in our stores so you can grow your own food.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Water wise tip: For new plantings, consider using water holding polymers such as <b>Soil Moist.</b> The non-toxic granules hold water longer than soil alone, thus minimizing moisture loss due to evaporation.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Apply mulches such as <b>Micro Bark or Forest Mulch Plus</b> to established and new plantings.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Plant your favorite annuals for spring. Petunias, begonias, alyssum, marigolds, cosmos, and lobelia are budding and blooming.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Check out impatiens alternatives: We carry a vast array of shade plants that will provide flowers and foliage in shaded spaces: begonias, heucheras, bounce impatiens, and New Guinea impatiens.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Say yes to summer bulbs! Plant gladiolus and dahlias for summer color.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Prune freeze damaged plants now (if you haven’t already). But, wait to prune spring blooming shrubs until after flowering.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Snails and slugs are hatching in your garden right now. Non-toxic <b>Sluggo </b>can help keep them out. If earwigs, sowbugs, and cutworms are also a problem, use Sluggo Plus with spinosad. Edge containers and beds with copper tape.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Aphids are beginning to appear. Stop them early with <b>Bonide Neem Oil</b><b>, Bonide Rose Rx 3 in 1</b><b> or Monterey Take Down Spray — safe for organic gardening</b>. The best time to spray is at the end of the day after the bees have stopped foraging. Use on roses and all your plants.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Consider planting companion plants such as Yarrow, Erigeron and Marigold to provide an environment that welcomes beneficial insects.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Use <b>Serenade </b>bacteria-based fungicide to prevent and cure spring rust and mildew. (OMRI listed)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Water early in the morning to prevent wet foliage at night. Wet foliage attracts snails and fungal diseases.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Don't forget to shop at <a href="http://www.sloatgardens.com/">Sloat!</a></span></li>
</ul>
</div>
Postcards From The Hedgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08946298237280064798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705372788300419595.post-79798135962004735132015-02-23T17:19:00.000-08:002015-02-23T17:20:29.365-08:00The Food World Has Officially Gone Crazy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 1.5;">This just in from <a href="http://www.eater.com/2015/2/23/8093447/why-the-hell-is-noma-hosting-a-club-monaco-pop-up-shop">Eater:</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 1.5;">"The world's number-one restaurant, </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;"> </span><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: subpixel-antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: medium; line-height: 1.5; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://noma.dk/food-and-wine/">Noma</a>,</span><span style="line-height: 1.5;"> </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">is now hosting a Club Monaco pop-up shop, finally answering the age-old question, 'What exactly does one wear when foraging for Danish hornet larvae?' </span><a data-ref-index="0" href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/club-monaco-launches-a-concept-shop-at-noma-1424711084" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: subpixel-antialiased; -webkit-transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px); -webkit-transition: fill 0.4s, background-color 0.4s, color 0.4s, border-color 0.4s, opacity 0.4s; box-sizing: border-box; color: #e60000; font-size: x-large; line-height: 1.24; text-decoration: none; transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px); transition: fill 0.4s, background-color 0.4s, color 0.4s, border-color 0.4s, opacity 0.4s;" target="_blank">The <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: subpixel-antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px;">Wall Street Journal</span><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: subpixel-antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px;"> </span>says</a><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: subpixel-antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: medium; line-height: 1.5;"> in addition to selling clothing, the temporary boutique located inside Rene Redzepi's Copenhagen restaurant is also hawking 'a curated assortment of goods, including vintage books from New York's Strand bookstore, woven art installations, and </span><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: subpixel-antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: medium; line-height: 1.5;">handcrafted wooden yurts made in Brooklyn'</span><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: subpixel-antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: medium; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0px;"> (really though)."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: subpixel-antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: medium; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Even for this food-crazed foam-infested sous-vide snobbery infused world, this seems a bit much.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now you can get a yurt alongside your Beef Tartare and Ants, or your Cucumber and Scallop Fudge. As if a restaurant that features all these, along with Reindeer Moss and mushrooms isn't weird enough. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Enough, already.</span></div>
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Postcards From The Hedgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08946298237280064798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705372788300419595.post-28790439274397691632015-02-23T09:47:00.001-08:002015-02-23T10:35:32.521-08:00Artillery Punch<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">Some years ago we were giving a birthday party for Susan, a proper Southern birthday party in honor of her family's somewhat distant southern roots, complete with fried chicken and biscuits, cole slaw and potato salad. Sweet tea, unsweetened tea. If you don't know what these are, ask a friend from the south.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And Ann insisted we had to serve Artillery Punch. "It's a southern tradition - and it's so delicious!" </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I asked her "What's in it?" and she said "Everything." </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So we called her mother. "Mother," (girls from the south call their mothers mother, no mom or mommy here. And no matter their age they are girls until their mothers die), "Do you have a recipe for Artillery Punch? We're giving a party at Jill's."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">There was a very long pause, and then Ann's mother asked, "Missy? How <i>large </i>an umbrella policy does this young lady have?"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We didn't serve Artillery Punch. We live in California, we mostly drink wine and Margaritas. But we are still laughing over Ann's mother's response.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here, then, are several recipes: for <a href="http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1013708-original-chatham-artillery-punch">Chatham Artillery Punch</a>, for <a href="http://gardenandgun.com/article/new-years-punch-packs-wallop">Chatham Artillery Punch</a> from <a href="http://gardenandgun.com/">Garden And Gun</a>, and a completely different one from <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/artillery-punch-200304">Epicurious</a>: all claiming to be the original, all different. Like that never happens anywhere else in real life.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Disclaimer: I have never tried any of these. Ann said delicious; I say looks like a recipe for a massive hangover.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Let me know what you think - but make sure you have plenty of insurance. Better yet be sure that your friends are Not Driving! They should be walking home, or spending the night. No driving allowed. And after some of this stuff, even walking may be a bad idea... </span></div>
Postcards From The Hedgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08946298237280064798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1705372788300419595.post-1253639234217498372015-02-22T11:25:00.000-08:002015-02-22T11:25:37.197-08:00Homework with Sam<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">How long since you've done long division? Me too. I usually just pull out my iphone. Or guess. And so far, it's worked pretty well for me.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I often found math in school boring - I mean, once you've grasped the concept why keep droning on? Let's move on, people. There's lots more interesting stuff out there.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">One evening not long ago, my friend Sam rang the doorbell. He is in fourth grade. His mom and sister were doing mom and sistery things, and they were taking too long, so he brought his long division to me.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It was an act of faith. I have not done long division since the invention of the calculator, that thing we used before phones became so smart. But I was not going to let my friend down, so I had him explain it to me (we did not have all those little boxes for placeholders; we did not have to be so <strike>obsessive</strike> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><strike>anal</strike></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">precise in just exactly <i>how</i> we showed our work.) (And by the way, "showing our work" is a euphemism for "let's make it easier for the teacher to figure out I probably didn't cheat".) </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But I digress. Surprise.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">So Sam and I got some scratch paper (remember paper?) </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpwhAFgo-D3rsVQ5MY0jbIsh8jPXaHF5t0VNvnXSZDGKJ8tcnH0SuwLGBis6MHXhmaVwTGmFhXsuW-1aEBAgdEa6a4pdw9Uxt-G6mGa5XcHzr_5u9y_trdtQTEfsr_L8kQa_t_bYcFWY6p/s1600/long+division.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpwhAFgo-D3rsVQ5MY0jbIsh8jPXaHF5t0VNvnXSZDGKJ8tcnH0SuwLGBis6MHXhmaVwTGmFhXsuW-1aEBAgdEa6a4pdw9Uxt-G6mGa5XcHzr_5u9y_trdtQTEfsr_L8kQa_t_bYcFWY6p/s1600/long+division.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">and worked things out, and it came back surprisingly fast, along with the smell of floor wax and stale lunchroom sandwiches. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We used scratch paper so we could figure out how to:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1. solve the problem, and</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2. put it in the teacher-approved format.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Do I sound snarky? I had a very lazy middle school math teacher who gave us a box of cards and told us to work at our own pace. From addition to algebra. I could do the last cards, the really hard ones, and they were interesting. But you had to do the first cards first, and I was not interested in doing first grade addition. Or subtraction. I already know how to do it, all he had to do was look at my grades to see that. I didn't see the point. </span><span style="font-size: large;">So I went to the library and read instead. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I learned a great deal about early American history, and the <a href="http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/themes/physics/curie/">Curies, Pierre and Marie.</a> About how if you read several biographies of the same person they often contradict each other. </span><span style="font-size: large;">And about lazy teachers. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The next year the principal intervened, and I got to write complicated schedules for school-wide events, and I learned a lot more math doing that than I had the year before.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Sam caught on really fast - he is a whiz at math. And he also didn't understand why he had to do dozens of long division problems when he's got it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I wonder what's next. I wonder if he will love algebra as much as I did - and do. I wonder if he will zone out - as I did - because he can tune back in and catch up and not stick around for the droning on bits. I wonder what will catch his interest, what he will study in college. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But right now? I am happy to have some time with Sam. Even if it means doing long division again.</span><br />
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Postcards From The Hedgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08946298237280064798noreply@blogger.com1