tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56977379740136658292024-03-13T10:19:58.628-07:00Me So ThornyWelcome to "Me So Thorny!" Get it? It's a play on words that implies 1. I'm not taking this too seriously, 2. I get excited about gardening, and 3. I don't think my mom will ever read this blog.Chad Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179848656904542902noreply@blogger.comBlogger145125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5697737974013665829.post-17553031586711124232016-12-23T12:26:00.001-08:002016-12-23T12:26:09.751-08:002016 In Reverse<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I knew a guy that used to joke about the Christmas
letters people write. He found it
funny that these letters were either chalk-full of the amazing things people
did all year or it was a laundry list of their woes. At the time, I laughed along and said to
myself, “that’s so true.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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That was all way before Facebook where this sort of
external showcasing of your life is now so commonplace. But even after a decade of change spurred on
by social media’s entrenchment in our lives, I remember the meaning behind his
joke: our lives are more complex than our accomplishments and they can be more
joyful than our woes might tell. You don't just have a great year or a bad year - it's almost always a mixture of both. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Even knowing that it’s impossible to capture the essence of an entire year in a
single letter or blog post I find that here on the brink of Christmas, at the end of the
year, I wanted to write <i>something </i>about 2016. If I followed the Christmas letter theme, I’d
start with January and work my way through the seasons. But I think life is most often remembered in reverse, like a movie watched while the tape is rewound.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p>With that in mind, here's how I remember 2016.</o:p></div>
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<b>December:</b> It’s
been colder than normal. We’ve had lots
and lots of rain this year which is good. We need it after years of drought. I spent
a lot of time on the couch, under heated blankets, falling asleep too early in
the evening. We didn’t drive around the
neighborhood and look at Christmas lights as much as last year. The season seemed to sneak up on me and I
felt like I missed things that should have been important. We did spend one magical weekend at
Disneyland where I felt blessed to be able to afford a trip like that, blessed
to have a daughter just the right age to love the trip. Blessed to have a wife that knew I needed a
little magic and happiness in my life.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Splash Mountain at Disneyland</td></tr>
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<b>November</b>: Felt like a hard month for me in ways I wasn't quite prepared for or expecting. It’s supposed to be a time of Thanksgiving but I felt cheated. Looking back I can see that I let myself withdraw from life more than I should have. I kind of closed up and went into hibernation. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>October</b>: I can’t even tell you about this month. Looking at my calendar I can see it was a busy month at work and I know we did the whole Halloween thing. But the month, in general, is just a blur. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>September</b>: Just a few months after celebrating his
graduation from the Royal Canadian Mounties program, my nephew sent us a picture of
himself and his girlfriend on the top of a mountain and she was wearing a huge
diamond ring on her finger. The whole
family was thrilled and we can't wait to get back together and celebrate something so joyful as a wedding. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The happily engaged couple</td></tr>
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<b>August</b>: Hot and miserable in Northern California as per normal. August is also the time when our kids head back to
school. My daughter started 3<sup>rd</sup>
grade this August. As with most milestones in her life, I found myself dwelling on the swift passage of time with a mix of nostalgia and excitement for the future. We picked her up from school and went out for ice cream that afternoon. I remember wanting to share pictures from that day with my mom who felt so far away to me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful night in Boston's Fenway Park</td></tr>
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<b>July</b>: At the end of July we took a long-planned-for trip to Boston to see
the Red Sox play a couple games and do the touristy things. It was a welcome distraction for me and I
loved getting to show the ladies in my life the city on the other coast that I
love so much. </div>
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Earlier in July, we flew
back to my home state of Washington and met the rest of my family for the
funeral.</div>
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<b>June</b>: On a night at the end of June I left work and saw that I
had two missed phone calls on my cell. One was from
my brother-in-law and one was from my step-dad.
I instinctively knew why they were calling so I didn’t want to call them back. Not yet. The longer I waited, the longer I could ignore what they had to tell me. </div>
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A little while later we sat close together on the couch and told Bailey that her Grandma had died. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>May</b>: We took a quick trip to Portland, Oregon. I managed to <a href="http://mesothorny.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-chinese-garden-in-portland.html" target="_blank">blog about it</a> and post some
pictures well after the fact. My daughter got her ears
pierced on this trip. We were trying to
carry on with life and do normal things.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>April</b>: I finished building a raised-bed vegetable garden
I had wanted to build for months. April
in Sacramento is beautiful. I proudly
sent my mom photos of my garden’s progress.
She loved to garden and loved that I loved to garden. Every time she came to visit, she’d spend
time reading a book in a chair in my garden. I felt a surge of pride whenever I thought she was enjoying herself in the gardens I worked so hard to create. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>March</b>: Mom called and told me she had been diagnosed with
breast cancer but not to worry because they caught it early and her prognosis
was good. I cried that night. I’m not used to good outcomes when it comes
to cancer. I sat down that night and
wrote her a long text message and told her that I was sad but also thankful for her and for the things she taught me, did for me, sacrificed for me, and cultivated in me. She wrote
back and I saved a screen shot of what she sent because I knew I would want to remember her words. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>February</b>: We went to Hawaii for the first time ever and
had a wonderful trip. Life was beautiful
and good and we felt so lucky to be alive and to see such a different and
beautiful part of the world. We went to
a luau one night and watched the sun set into the Pacific ocean while someone
nearby blew into a Pu shell to signify the end of the day. It was glorious. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my life's best moments</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maui sunset</td></tr>
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<b>January</b>: It was a new year and we had lots to look
forward to. It feels like such a long
time ago now. When January of 2017 comes, I hope that there are things to look forward to again. <o:p></o:p></div>
Chad Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179848656904542902noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5697737974013665829.post-37093957968797980352016-06-30T21:33:00.001-07:002016-06-30T21:33:49.537-07:00When It All Comes TogetherOne of the best books I've read about garden design, The Inward Journey, talks about creating your garden in a way that reflects your oldest desires. For me, that meant creating a cove. <br />
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I attempted to do that in the far corner of my backyard by sectioning it off from the rest of the yard with a boxwood hedge and a simple iron arbor. There was an existing mature apple tree that gave me a good start on the feeling of being closed in. I added several Japanese maples and a chair and after just a couple years it really is starting to feel like a cove. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Japanese maples - Seiryu (in the foreground) and Iniba Shidare in the background</td></tr>
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My satisfaction peaked the other day when my daughter came out to read while I worked in the yard. I wasn't paying much attention while I worked but when I looked up and saw that she had chosen to sit in this uncomfortable chair and read a book I was thrilled. Thrilled that she loves to read so much and thrilled that something in her was drawn to spend time in this part of the yard.<br />
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I could stand to learn a few things from her example. <br />
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After she caught me taking this picture she started hamming it up for the camera. Here's a better view of the way the "cove" is coming together:<br />
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<br />Chad Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179848656904542902noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5697737974013665829.post-16043196061858689492016-06-28T19:52:00.000-07:002016-06-28T19:52:05.481-07:00The Chinese Garden in PortlandToo much has gone on in my life recently for me to devote much free time to blogging. And as previous posts have mentioned, the drought has put a damper on things for me . . . even if it hasn't dampened anything else.<br />
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Not too long ago we had a chance to tag along with my wife on a work trip to Portland, Oregon. When she wasn't working we had a chance to explore one of our favorite cities and this time I convinced them to tour the Chinese Garden. They were not thrilled. But they were good sports. <br />
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That quickly changed though. Almost immediately after entering the gardens we saw that they were giving a demonstration on how to make Hawaiian leis. <br />
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The pond was a big hit too even though the koi had been transported to another facility while they rehabilitated the habitat for some reason. </div>
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I found the stone work in the pathways to be remarkable and enviable. How long would it take to do something like this? <br />
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There was a lot of variety in the patterns throughout the different parts of the garden.</div>
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I don't know what these are called, but I thought this was a cool way to border a tree with stone.</div>
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This was a look I'd definitely like to mimic in the right situation. I believe that's Japanese forest grass and black Mondo grass which I already grow.</div>
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Intricate, beautiful, and amazing.</div>
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Who hasn't wanted a moon gate of their own?<br />
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One of the most charming aspects of the garden is that it is literally surrounded by downtown buildings. But you quickly forget about them. When I left the garden I found myself envious of the people whose office windows look down upon this garden.<br />
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They had a small selection of bonsai on display. And by that I mean they had just a few - not that the bonsai was small. But it was small. The bonsai was I mean. <br />
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My wife photo bombing skills were on point.<br />
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I will be writing more often I hope. If you've given up on checking in on me, I don't blame you at all. I hope to give you a reason to stop by and say hello once in a while though. </div>
<br />Chad Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179848656904542902noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5697737974013665829.post-73243577189941343882016-01-08T16:02:00.004-08:002016-01-08T16:02:45.171-08:00El Nino es Muy Bueno<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Z_w0-xAD2M/VpBH4DtMkvI/AAAAAAAACj4/ZQfCoyStzGY/s1600/51WDGECR14L._SX385_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Z_w0-xAD2M/VpBH4DtMkvI/AAAAAAAACj4/ZQfCoyStzGY/s320/51WDGECR14L._SX385_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="260" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I carried this text around like a cross to bear.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For most of my life I have been tormented by an inability to speak, read, write, memorize vocab words, and order food in Spanish. It started in high school when I made the absurd choice to use "Cristobal" as my Spanish name in class. You can imagine all the crystal ball and Christ ball jokes tossed my way. I spent way too much time trying to think of witty comebacks and much too little time actually listening to Senorita Whateverhernamewas teach. <br />
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My torment continued in college where I continued to lag behind once I got beyond the ease of learning the alphabet and how to count to a hundred in Spanish 101. I dropped out of Spanish 101 several times before I finally completed it. By the third or fourth time around I was quite fluent and could sing the ABCs and tell how old I was just like any two-year-old can. <br />
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A small part of the problem was that Spanish classes started at the unseemly hour of 9:00 a.m. Maybe mine was the only college to do this, but each discipline seemed to have their own time of day for classes. Science, math, Spanish, and history were in the morning. English, Philosophy, Volleyball (my kind of classes) were in the afternoon or, even better, at night. So waking up for a 9:00 class just wasn't in the cards for a night owl like me; not on a regular basis anyway. I know, I know, "es no bueno" to have treated my education with such flippancy. <br />
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Those poor choices and inability to comprehend the more elementary aspects of learning a foreign language (and I do mean <i>elementary school level</i>) led to summer school and taking Spanish for 3 hours a day five days a week starting at 8:00 a.m. before my chosen institution of higher learning would allow me to move forward in life with a few extra initials on my resume. It was only through sheer willpower that I finally passed Spanish 102 with a resounding D+ and by God I earned my bachelor of arts degree in English. The irony of excelling in the study of one language and drowning in the study of another was not lost on me or my advisor. My advisor posited one afternoon (because that's when we English types were awake) that perhaps it was the love of my native language that created a mental barrier to learning a different language. I wore that comment like a badge of honor.<br />
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Before I had graduated, I briefly toyed with the idea of applying to an MFA program in Creative Writing as a next step. I say "briefly" because, for reasons unknown to me, every MFA program I looked into required <b><i><u>fluency</u></i></b> in at least one foreign language. I just Googled how to express my reaction in Spanish to that discovery: "Lo Siento". That means "I'm sorry". I'm sorry, it just wasn't going to happen unless I was willing to lie on my application. But what if they greeted me on the first day in Spanish? [Hola, Cristobal!] What if they taught Early Shakespeare in Spanish? What if all my papers had to be translated? I'd be found out and then turned out! No, it was time to enter the world and forge my own way. Which is scary. <br />
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And so, because of Spanish, I was forced to embark upon an odyssey of existential wandering. What does an English major that's petrified of public speaking do for a living if they can't teach and if they know they can't make a living writing? <br />
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So, you see, me and Spanish have had our differences and I'm not quite ready to forget all that history. But this new year, this blessed New Year, is starting to soften my stance a teensy bit. And I owe the metaphorical olive branch to that kind Latino kid they call El Nino. Which, in English means "The Nine" or "the Nest" I think. Something like that anyway. <br />
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After several years of drought and strictly enforced water restrictions pitting neighbor against neighbor, there has been very little motivation to add anything to my garden. Every plant I can imagine planting requires consistent watering in order to become established in my region and most plants need continued irrigation at least semi-regularly because we simply don't get rain for months on end in our hot summers. So when you're only allowed to irrigate on a Saturday before 6:00 a.m. (please see earlier when I mention not being awake before 9:00 a.m.) it's unlikely that new plants will be happy. <br />
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But El Nino! El Nino <i>might</i> change some of that. See, an average January in Sacramento has 3.97 inches of rain. It is the rainiest month of the year. However, when you look at recent rain fall totals, you can start to see how it might create a problem for a region when your rainiest month is this dry for this long:<br />
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<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; text-align: justify; width: 107px;">
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 1254; mso-width-source: userset; width: 29pt;" width="39"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 2176; mso-width-source: userset; width: 51pt;" width="68"></col>
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<td class="xl63" height="42" style="height: 31.2pt; text-align: justify; width: 29pt;" width="39"></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left-style: none; text-align: justify; width: 51pt;" width="68">January Rain Fall</td>
</tr>
<tr height="21" style="height: 15.6pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="21" style="border-top-style: none; height: 15.6pt; text-align: justify;">2015</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; text-align: justify;">0.00</td>
</tr>
<tr height="21" style="height: 15.6pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="21" style="border-top-style: none; height: 15.6pt; text-align: justify;">2014</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; text-align: justify;">0.12</td>
</tr>
<tr height="21" style="height: 15.6pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="21" style="border-top-style: none; height: 15.6pt; text-align: justify;">2013</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; text-align: justify;">0.90</td>
</tr>
<tr height="21" style="height: 15.6pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="21" style="border-top-style: none; height: 15.6pt; text-align: justify;">2012</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; text-align: justify;">1.22</td>
</tr>
<tr height="21" style="height: 15.6pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="21" style="border-top-style: none; height: 15.6pt; text-align: justify;">2011</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; text-align: justify;">1.55</td>
</tr>
<tr height="21" style="height: 15.6pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="21" style="border-top-style: none; height: 15.6pt; text-align: justify;">2010</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; text-align: justify;">4.82</td>
</tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://news.nationalgeographic.com/content/dam/news/photos/000/802/80248.adapt.1190.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://news.nationalgeographic.com/content/dam/news/photos/000/802/80248.adapt.1190.1.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What's left of Shasta Lake in Northern California<br />Photo credit: <a href="http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/05/140529-sacramento-river-water-rights-california-drought/" target="_blank">National Geographic</a> </td></tr>
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At some point yesterday, January 7th, we crossed the 2 inch level for the month thanks to a series of El Nino inspired storms. It's not enough to fill the reservoirs, to water all the crops, to replenish the ground water supply that's <a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/drought/ci_25447586/california-drought-san-joaquin-valley-sinking-farmers-race" target="_blank">depleted to the point of causing the earth to cave in</a> (<i>oh mi Cielos, right?</i>), and it's not enough to get Governor Jerry Brown to lift water restrictions. It's a mere drop in an empty bucket really. But it is enough for me to smile, for a change, when someone talks to me about the weather in Spanish.</div>
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And for the first time in a long time, I find myself pausing at the window to daydream about what could come next. I just might get to plant something this spring when El Nino is finished making it all up to me. </div>
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<br />Chad Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179848656904542902noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5697737974013665829.post-71932869178261668382015-08-06T18:55:00.000-07:002015-08-06T18:55:12.471-07:00Drought Intolerance<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FLCOQbZVpdc/VcQMu8MLvBI/AAAAAAAACjM/xngjqUXI4XA/s1600/California%2BGold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FLCOQbZVpdc/VcQMu8MLvBI/AAAAAAAACjM/xngjqUXI4XA/s320/California%2BGold.jpg" width="320" /></a>In many ways, this year four of the drought in California
feels like the first bad year. This has
been the year of mandated cutbacks for people in my water district. Our water agencies have been asked by the
Governor of California to reduce output by 20 to 25% ( I'm too lazy to check the exact percentage) and I read <a href="http://www.sacbee.com/news/state/california/water-and-drought/article29548918.html" target="_blank">in the paper that during the month of June we were successful at doing that</a>. Confession: I didn't actually read the article. Just the headline. But hooray for us, I guess. As someone who believes in conservation of
resources I can celebrate that.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But as a gardener, I have to admit I hate having to
conserve water by not watering my lawn and plants. It’s become vogue to “let your grass go gold”
but there’s nothing that causes the gardener in me more dissonance than dead,
crunchy grass and sad, wilting plants. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WRO2oRsa2CI/VcQI6x0bQSI/AAAAAAAACi0/5sHyjcuwDhc/s1600/IMG_3536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WRO2oRsa2CI/VcQI6x0bQSI/AAAAAAAACi0/5sHyjcuwDhc/s400/IMG_3536.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My side yard hasn't been watered all summer<br />because the spray from the sprinklers frequently<br />lands on the driveway - a big no-no.</td></tr>
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The other day my daughter and I went to the backyard and
played this complicated game with a balloon that we call “Don’t Let it Hit the
Ground.” In this game, the main
objective is to hit the balloon to the other person and that person is responsible
for not letting the balloon hit the ground.
It’s a challenging game of physical endurance and mental fortitude under
normal circumstances but in this drought we have the extra obstacle of dealing
with balloons that hit parched grass that has grown hard and sharp. I kid you not, we popped three balloons by letting them hit the ground before we postponed the game for a lack of rain delay.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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Right now I’m allowed to water my lawn on Saturday
mornings before 6:00 a.m. or after 8:00 p.m. and that’s it.
I’m allowed to water my plants and trees with drip irrigation 3 days a
week. Now you might be thinking that
watering your lawn correctly once a week should still allow for a lawn to be
relatively green. And you’d be
correct. However, there are large
sections of my yard where the sprinklers either don’t reach or provide inadequate/inconsistent
coverage and the result is an unappealing mishmash of green and gold on the
level of what the Green Bay Packers uniforms look like. But less green and less gold. So, not really like the Packers uniforms at all, I guess.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GlzpNoEnFOE/VcQIEE9KqCI/AAAAAAAACig/W4D-BHLyOCU/s1600/IMG_3530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GlzpNoEnFOE/VcQIEE9KqCI/AAAAAAAACig/W4D-BHLyOCU/s640/IMG_3530.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It looks like a river of gold running through the back yard.</td></tr>
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The water restrictions make it pretty difficult to get any new plants established as even native and drought tolerant plants need supplemental watering their first year. As a result, I really haven't planted much of anything since this spring before the restrictions were put in place. Which has really led to a lack of blogging for me. And, if I'm totally honest, a lot of the fun of gardening has been sapped from me this summer too. It's been a summer of garden maintenance more than flexing my creativity and working toward completion of my long range vision.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Ii-DdMLFDQ/VcQJOT7Fr7I/AAAAAAAACi8/OxJD8K2_fjM/s1600/IMG_3534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--Ii-DdMLFDQ/VcQJOT7Fr7I/AAAAAAAACi8/OxJD8K2_fjM/s640/IMG_3534.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last thing I planted: ground cover of Dwarf Mondo Grass with three Japanese maples and a Dogwood. <br />I covered this part of the lawn with a thick mulch of leaves last fall and that killed most of the grass.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hope is that the mondo grass will form a thick, green carpet that takes significantly less water than normal grass would.</td></tr>
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The water restrictions are hard enough to deal with on their own. Being such a hot topic (pun not really intended) people are making it even harder by generally being lame to each other. What this drought has done is turn people into tattle-tales and guilty parties. There's a group discussion on my neighborhood's "<a href="https://nextdoor.com/" target="_blank">Next Door</a>" web site that talks about how to turn your neighbors into the government if you think they are wasting water. Whether that allegation is substantiated or not, the Water Resources Board sends you a nice little notice telling you you've been flagged and that they are going to come inspect your property and could fine you $100, $200, or $500 depending on how many times they find you doing something wrong. The comments on this message board range from "Give 'em hell" to "wouldn't it be better just to talk to your neighbor?" to "you all are a bunch of Nazis". Because every internet forum must prove <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin%27s_law" target="_blank">Godwin's Law</a> to be correct.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A typical Sacramento front yard. I suspect this particular neighbor is happy about the drought because this is how his yard looked even before we had water restrictions. Now he fits right in and looks like a model citizen!</td></tr>
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As I mentioned before, I'm happy to conserve water and I believe it's my duty to be part of the solution, but it's ridiculous to me that people that know how to get the most out of their grass (deep, infrequent watering coupled with leaving the grass taller for example) are automatically targets for busy body neighbors that assume you're breaking the law because your lawn doesn't quite look like a hay field that's been shorn to the ground like the picture above. <br />
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From my tone, you might have guessed it: someone turned me in. I'm waiting for a visit from the Water Resources Board any day now. I'll be happy to show them the timer schedule for my sprinklers though. <br />
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In the meantime, I'm going to wash my car. That always makes it rain. Oh wait, we're not allowed to wash our cars anymore. Well, maybe it's time to brush up on my rain dancing. <br />
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Chad Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179848656904542902noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5697737974013665829.post-74881322166779476092015-04-28T11:57:00.001-07:002015-04-28T11:57:54.566-07:00Until Then, I Have Enough<div class="MsoNormal">
Nothing is perfect here yet.
I have ideas and energy to give them shape. But it takes time. Time to plan, time to plant, time to turn the
leaves and lawn clippings into compost, time to consider water in a dry land,
time to let things fill in. I want intriguing
pathways and inviting places to sit – or at least places that would make you imagine
we actually sit in the garden. I want
all the interest we’re supposed to have: evergreen structure for the barren
winter; pops of color for the heralding of spring; interesting bark, variegated foliage, and shade from
summer’s wrath; and heartbreaking, nostalgic color in autumn. I want a sunny patch of fertile soil for the
pleasure of contributing praise-worthy tomatoes to our dinner. And I want a rock, half buried in the shadowy
ground, covered in moss.</div>
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I think I will have these things someday. Or, at least, I will have <i>some </i>of these
things some days. Until those days
though, I will remember that I have enough. I will remember that some day I will want nothing more than what I had today. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c-mE5Vq9fXs/VT_Skox56vI/AAAAAAAAChE/WLerb_bvbBU/s1600/Light%2Bon%2Bthe%2Bfountain.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c-mE5Vq9fXs/VT_Skox56vI/AAAAAAAAChE/WLerb_bvbBU/s1600/Light%2Bon%2Bthe%2Bfountain.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The light from the setting sun gave me pause. A bright, quiet moment to be savored.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DN1d90DQGyU/VT_Sx_8fIgI/AAAAAAAAChM/f9gY2Sizni8/s1600/Jasmine%2Bclimbing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DN1d90DQGyU/VT_Sx_8fIgI/AAAAAAAAChM/f9gY2Sizni8/s1600/Jasmine%2Bclimbing.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The scent of jasmine, finally climbing the arbor with vigor, was intoxicating.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-japIrxxWAQ0/VT_S-XNaXwI/AAAAAAAAChU/FLeVBKY7bFA/s1600/Grapes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-japIrxxWAQ0/VT_S-XNaXwI/AAAAAAAAChU/FLeVBKY7bFA/s1600/Grapes.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I live within driving distance of the Napa Valley, aka "Wine Country". I was pleased to see grapes <br />already growing on this vine in the ground less than a month. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VkZ1fJUigZI/VT_TUPiXG4I/AAAAAAAAChc/A9pUKxg3LA0/s1600/Birdhouse.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VkZ1fJUigZI/VT_TUPiXG4I/AAAAAAAAChc/A9pUKxg3LA0/s1600/Birdhouse.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birdhouse and suet created at a birthday party . . . more for us than the birds.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ViVNE4jkk98/VT_TeT2QtlI/AAAAAAAAChk/XlsjFL_rizU/s1600/Running%2BBy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ViVNE4jkk98/VT_TeT2QtlI/AAAAAAAAChk/XlsjFL_rizU/s1600/Running%2BBy.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It looks like she's running from the camera but she's really just chasing<br />her new dog, Gus. Her laughter and his tiny yips fill the evening with<br />innocence and my heart with gratitude.</td></tr>
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Chad Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179848656904542902noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5697737974013665829.post-37894110926619966692015-04-27T12:06:00.001-07:002015-04-27T12:06:04.836-07:00Nightmare Trees<div class="MsoNormal">
I used to think that my old neighbor’s <a href="http://mesothorny.blogspot.com/2012/09/despair-grows-in-my-garden.html" target="_blank">Washingtonia Robusta</a> was a
nightmare tree. Anything that wakes you
up with a start more than once or twice can start to torment you and that
cursed tree would wake me up whenever the wind would blow. Those fronds are large and heavy and would
sound like someone jumping onto the roof. <o:p></o:p></div>
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But I have new perspective on what truly constitutes a
nightmare tree, courtesy of photographer Elido Turco who uses a mirror to create these images. Take a gander at his <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/elidoturco/sets/72157605500459873/#" target="_blank">Flickr album of 200+</a>
pictures of trees guaranteed to make you take a closer look at those old trees
you thought were simply lovely before. Now you know they're really just waiting for you to fall asleep before they do their unspeakable deeds. <br />
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Credit goes to the blog <a href="http://twentytwowords.com/how-to-make-tree-bark-haunt-your-dreams-using-only-a-mirror/" target="_blank">22 Words</a> for ruining tonight's sleep.<o:p></o:p><br />
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Chad Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179848656904542902noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5697737974013665829.post-4105010366267559042015-02-24T17:59:00.000-08:002015-02-24T17:59:11.938-08:00In a wordWhat word comes to mind when you think of spring? For those of us that spend our free time in the yard, tending a garden, or wandering the aisles of the nursery, I'm sure that there are hundreds of words that could spring to mind depending upon your mood. Whether it's the name of an iconic flower like the tulip, or perhaps it's the name of the first bird that shows up, or maybe what you think of is having more light, more warmth, or more energy.<br />
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When I think of spring I think of those things too. But I think we all think of it on another level. We not only think of what spring looks and feels like. We think about what it means. And what it means to me is faith, hope, and love. <br />
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Those of you who are Christians may be immediately familiar with that trinity of words as they are found in the Apostle Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. He wrote, "And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love."<br />
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Granted, I'm taking these completely out of context when I apply them to my view of Spring. But the words remain apt.<br />
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I think of faith when I see the trees bursting forth into bloom and into leaf. We had faith that the winter would not ruin us, that the bleak times would end eventually, that sustenance would be provided again.<br />
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How can you not feel hope when you see a bud about to burst forth? Or when you see new foliage on the rose bush that has been little more than a barbed set of sticks for month? Our faith was tested and found to be true and now we reap the reward of hope. Hope for what is coming soon. <br />
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And then there is love. The greatest of all. The all-encompassing love. We love our flowers. We love the colors. We love new life. We love our alone time. We love our dogs, our parents, our spouses, our children, our friends, and our own selves. <br />
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May love fill your garden this spring and may it fill your life in the rest of your seasons. <br />
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<br />Chad Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179848656904542902noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5697737974013665829.post-60718786405896374032015-02-19T18:17:00.001-08:002015-02-19T18:17:29.905-08:00A Change of ColorSpring has come to Sacramento and I took advantage of our beautiful, sunny and low 70s weather and did some painting over the long President's Day weekend. <br />
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I always forget what a pain painting can be. And the older I get the more literal I mean that. My quads have been on inactive duty since around October so after just a few hours of squatting, stretching, bending, and climbing I was feeling like rubber. <br />
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Although I'm a big fan of color - who isn't - I'm also becoming a disciple of the school that says gardens should have a limited color palette. To that end, I'm trying to move toward the classic brown, white, and green color combo. <br />
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That meant that my red and white shed would need a latex bath of Behr's Sweet Molasses.<br />
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This is the view from our back porch. The shed dominates the scene in all weathers. While many guests (and at least one member of my family) have remarked about how quaint it looks, I found myself wanting to notice it less often. I want the plants to be the star when they grow in. </div>
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After a couple days, this is what I ended up with:</div>
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It still holds some visual weight, but I think that's more of a result of its size than its color. </div>
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Growing up on either side of the window are climbing roses that will someday cover a majority of the shed in profuse white blooms for months on end. I'm looking forward to that.</div>
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One more thing: I had a poetry teacher that used to tell us that we needed to know the rules before we could break the rules. Well, if my rule is a color palette of green, brown, and white, I broke that rule with abandon when I let my daughter pick out the paint color for our Adirondack chairs. </div>
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We went from weathered (which I liked) but dirty (which no one liked)</div>
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To this eye-assaulting pop of color:</div>
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I really wanted to paint these a matching brown, but since this was a family project, I deferred to my daughter's choice. One of the best things about painting, and gardening, is that you can always change your mind.</div>
Chad Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179848656904542902noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5697737974013665829.post-40848420709956131102014-11-11T15:39:00.000-08:002014-11-11T15:39:23.547-08:00More FallFall in Sacramento, when it comes in all earnestness, is a brief and sometimes wonderful few weeks. In the last few days the autumn season has come on strong. And today, being an overcast Veteran's Day, was a perfect chance for me to take the camera outside and spend a few quiet moments making some digital memories. <br />
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The mulberry tree doesn't produce much in the way of fall color but what it lacks in color it makes up in quantity.<br />
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I believe this is a Chinese pistache tree but I haven't been able to positively ID it yet. <br />
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More berries. I once came "this close" to tearing out this frequently ungainly looking bush but the berries make it worth it keeping.<br />
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A struggling fuschia on the left and a slow-growing Japanese maple, 'Red Dragon' on the right under planted with some mondo grass. This vignette will be reworked some day next spring, I think. But for now it's good enough.<br />
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The liquid amber tree . . . it's a true love/hate relationship. A tall, stately, columnar tree with beautiful fall color and interesting seed pods - that also act as hidden mines when they fall to the earth. Bare feet beware, these guys mean business.<br />
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One of my favorite Japanese maples is this 'Koto No Ito' which means something like golden harp strings. The inspiration for such a name is fairly obvious this time of year.</div>
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More fuschia. Some blooms still hang on while others have given up the ghost.<br />
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More of the ubiquitous mulberry leaves and a succulent planting I'm rather fond of.<br />
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Crepe myrtle leaves:</div>
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A borrowed view of fall; over the neighbor's fence.<br />
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Not every plant and tree is on the same schedule. Even here, a single branch can't seem to make up its mind.</div>
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Japanese maple 'Seiryu' went from total green last week to this:<br />
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The plum tree is a bewitching mix of orange, red and green:<br />
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And, finally, a word from my family to all the Veteran's out there:<br />
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Thank you, and happy Veteran's Day to all who serve and served. Chad Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179848656904542902noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5697737974013665829.post-84791279610535946582014-10-30T15:10:00.000-07:002014-10-30T15:10:52.520-07:00Obligatory Fall Color PicturesFall in Sacramento isn't all that special and we're always way behind most of the rest of the country when it comes to changing colors. Things are just now starting to change colors for the season. Here are some shots from my yard tonight.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking way up into the crown of a Liquid Amber</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Liquid Amber. I think the impact would be greater if more of the tree changed at the same time.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A black-stemmed hydrangea.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went to a pumpkin carving party with kids and their families from my daughter's school last weekend. <br />It was fun getting messy and then shaking hands with people we hadn't met yet. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harry, on the right, has been a family tradition for about 4 years now. Every year he gets a makeover with either black or green mondo grass. and then that grass gets planted somewhere in the garden. Bones, on the left, was a new addition this year.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mAjyZtNn98M/VFBNv1IRLxI/AAAAAAAACY8/mKxisQEIrMY/s1600/IMG_2422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mAjyZtNn98M/VFBNv1IRLxI/AAAAAAAACY8/mKxisQEIrMY/s1600/IMG_2422.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vQQ_nOYzB7Y/VFBNwhT4XlI/AAAAAAAACZI/GAfjaVpJF-s/s1600/IMG_2425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vQQ_nOYzB7Y/VFBNwhT4XlI/AAAAAAAACZI/GAfjaVpJF-s/s1600/IMG_2425.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Acer palmatum 'Orangeola' just beginning to revert back to its namesake color. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-APCOcol7r18/VFBNyTIMIVI/AAAAAAAACZU/P6rV_MZYdDI/s1600/IMG_2428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-APCOcol7r18/VFBNyTIMIVI/AAAAAAAACZU/P6rV_MZYdDI/s1600/IMG_2428.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Japanese blood grass hasn't developed that blood red color yet, but it is starting to fill in a bit more.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--D_ResuwNiU/VFBNyiBiWrI/AAAAAAAACZY/Udv2GnrHi5o/s1600/IMG_2430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--D_ResuwNiU/VFBNyiBiWrI/AAAAAAAACZY/Udv2GnrHi5o/s1600/IMG_2430.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This fall color is making up for the fact that the birds beat me to all the blueberries on this young bush.</td></tr>
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<br />Chad Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179848656904542902noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5697737974013665829.post-52588225550301568622014-09-23T20:19:00.002-07:002014-09-23T20:20:16.078-07:00Something's Gonna Pay For This<br />
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I was minding my own business tonight after work. I wasn't looking for a fight. I was just taking a bag of garbage out when I saw something unusual. Back by the compost bin I noticed something dark brown on the ground where it was usually light brown. That light brown is what we drought-stricken Californians call "the new green". </div>
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The picture below is almost too embarrassing for me to share. It looks so splotchy and gross. But this is what happens when you can't water your lawn. The little bit of green you do see is probably just from the veggie garden's drip irrigation. </div>
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At any rate, the dirt you see on the ground just to the right of the fence shouldn't be there. A closer inspection was necessary.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YQWYwSf0PWM/VCI03NWOnTI/AAAAAAAACXs/yonFrG6RN_w/s1600/IMG_2349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YQWYwSf0PWM/VCI03NWOnTI/AAAAAAAACXs/yonFrG6RN_w/s1600/IMG_2349.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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And this is what I found. Around the base of my active compost bin, something had been digging. I have been composting for years and all this time I've been adding kitchen scraps, rotten fruit, and even the occasional dead bug and I've never had anything go after my compost bin other than worms. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VloxBbXPacc/VCIwLATPzaI/AAAAAAAACXA/l-ZXFU3pM2Y/s1600/IMG_2352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VloxBbXPacc/VCIwLATPzaI/AAAAAAAACXA/l-ZXFU3pM2Y/s1600/IMG_2352.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The back side of the compost bin</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_GuyIziG_28/VCIwLprFl2I/AAAAAAAACXI/1HXJRObLAIs/s1600/IMG_2353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_GuyIziG_28/VCIwLprFl2I/AAAAAAAACXI/1HXJRObLAIs/s1600/IMG_2353.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The front side</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vFBQlJgKz7s/VCIwLvfsBaI/AAAAAAAACXE/QzBiEKnHRQI/s1600/IMG_2354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vFBQlJgKz7s/VCIwLvfsBaI/AAAAAAAACXE/QzBiEKnHRQI/s1600/IMG_2354.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A somewhat closer view of the front.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YoqHqaVu8D4/VCIwNP3wSGI/AAAAAAAACXY/5vd37WOKsPg/s1600/IMG_2355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YoqHqaVu8D4/VCIwNP3wSGI/AAAAAAAACXY/5vd37WOKsPg/s1600/IMG_2355.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I tried to get a picture of the claw marks I saw. They looked fairly large but because they were up inside<br />
I couldn't get a clear picture. </td></tr>
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Now I've been having issues with squirrels lately (more on that in the near future) but this doesn't seem like the work of the evil nuisance and bane of my gardening life. While scratching my head (literally) I happened to notice a hole by the fence line not three or four feet away from the scene of the crime. <br />
<br />
Gophers? Moles? Voles? Squirrels? What do you think this is? I didn't see any telltale mounds or tunnels because this opening is right at my fence so it's possible that their are mounds or tunnels on the other side. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-llcSrYZL_DI/VCIwN8WHBpI/AAAAAAAACXg/L1DTH-EVUUc/s1600/IMG_2364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-llcSrYZL_DI/VCIwN8WHBpI/AAAAAAAACXg/L1DTH-EVUUc/s1600/IMG_2364.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
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Maybe I'm overreacting but I'm suddenly worried that two mysterious plant deaths in my garden weren't just unfortunate and untimely demises. Perhaps they were sped along their way by some underground spawn of evil? <br />
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<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-VloxBbXPacc%2FVCIwLATPzaI%2FAAAAAAAACXA%2Fl-ZXFU3pM2Y%2Fs1600%2FIMG_2352.JPG&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VloxBbXPacc/VCIwLATPzaI/AAAAAAAACXA/l-ZXFU3pM2Y/s1600/IMG_2352.JPG" -->Chad Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179848656904542902noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5697737974013665829.post-59292757528600937542014-09-08T18:24:00.001-07:002014-09-08T18:25:09.818-07:00Trouble Brewing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The other day I was in the back corner of my property taking a closer look at some of the late summer growth on several Japanese maples. My neighbor's property line boasts several mature trees whose branches stick out over my side of the fence. This doesn't bother me - it's borrowed green as far as I'm concerned. But I did notice that it was causing my maples to grow at awkward angles to reach more sunlight. </div>
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While taking a closer look at the branches coming over the fence line I noticed what I believe to be a wisteria vine growing along the electrical lines. I'm fairly certain the picture below contains my neighbor's cable line. Perhaps I should tell her about this?</div>
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You have to admire the tenacity of the wisteria.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z562n-bzN08/VAvCeUH6SiI/AAAAAAAACV0/vdM8UUsZOxw/s1600/IMG_2317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z562n-bzN08/VAvCeUH6SiI/AAAAAAAACV0/vdM8UUsZOxw/s1600/IMG_2317.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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This picture makes it apparent that it's probably not just my neighbor's cable that could get strangled by the exuberant vine.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4_abKLfUt_U/VAvCePk7LcI/AAAAAAAACVw/ds2uuhb60fA/s1600/IMG_2318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4_abKLfUt_U/VAvCePk7LcI/AAAAAAAACVw/ds2uuhb60fA/s1600/IMG_2318.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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And here's just a couple pictures of something I've been working on. I've got a long stretch of boring fence that I need to do something with. I am working on killing the grass and I spent part of last weekend installing the dry-laid brick mow strip to outline what will be the new bed. Hopefully everything will be ready in time for fall planting which is still about a month and a half away in Sacramento.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--pNFgdnLIy0/VAvCpptIt7I/AAAAAAAACWg/Ro5SFOlv3pc/s1600/IMG_2328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--pNFgdnLIy0/VAvCpptIt7I/AAAAAAAACWg/Ro5SFOlv3pc/s1600/IMG_2328.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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I hope to post more in the coming weeks. This summer has been very busy and, truth be told, not very interesting from a gardening standpoint. There's only so much I can do when it's 95-100 degrees every day. Chad Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179848656904542902noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5697737974013665829.post-75200162494916127602014-07-16T20:46:00.000-07:002014-07-16T20:46:09.014-07:00Sandbox Garden<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
When we moved about a year and a half ago, we did so
because we wanted to find our “forever home” before our daughter started
elementary school. It was important to
us that we give her the chance to grow up with the friends she would make at
school and not have to go through the experience of leaving her best buds if at
all possible. Obviously there were
other factors we had to consider as well, but that one certainly drove the
timing of our decision to move. <o:p></o:p></div>
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One of the things I was looking for in a new home was a
larger yard where I could stretch my gardening wings a bit more. I wanted a yard big enough to allow my
gardening interests to flourish but still coexist with a child’s inalienable
right to play. I wanted room for a
collection of Japanese maples and a Wiffle ball field. I wanted a yard big enough to grow
watermelons in and to lay out a slip-n-slide at the same time. In short, I wanted a little slice of
Americana. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So when I saw the sandbox beneath the fruitless mulberry
tree - the same mulberry tree that had wooden steps nailed into the trunk and
ropes hung from a sturdy limb to support a swing, I thought for sure that I had
found a yard that would work for both me and my daughter. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_sIYC4jpgaU/U8dAA7V1kvI/AAAAAAAACTw/BvCkr21GyMk/s1600/IMG_0624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_sIYC4jpgaU/U8dAA7V1kvI/AAAAAAAACTw/BvCkr21GyMk/s1600/IMG_0624.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I took this picture on the day of the home inspection. You can see the swing at left. <br />I think the yard, in general, looks really different already.</td></tr>
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In the months since we moved in, my girl has climbed
those wooden planks several times and stood inside the canopy of the mulberry
tree. She’s marveled at the new world
from up there and she’s decided that living in a tree house would be “so cool”. She’s also begged me to find a swing to hang
from those ropes too. A request I have
tried and failed to fulfill. But she
never got interested in the sandbox like I thought she would. Maybe it was the more than occasional cat
poop we found. Or the omnipresent spiders. Maybe it was the hardened sand, the constant
leaf litter, or the fact that she’s already too old for sandboxes . . . if
there is such a thing as being too old for sandboxes. She just didn’t seem to care about it one way
or another which was amazing to me because I was a kid that spent days on end
in a sandbox. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mYzUqD_Uix4/U8dA2cih-5I/AAAAAAAACT4/Vb-_Y3mfLMg/s1600/IMG_2163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mYzUqD_Uix4/U8dA2cih-5I/AAAAAAAACT4/Vb-_Y3mfLMg/s1600/IMG_2163.JPG" height="640" width="425" /></a></div>
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On the Saturday before Father’s day, I found myself
standing outside, just soaking things in; plotting my next steps. After my eyes kept stopping on my own
misplaced clutter, I determined it was past time to find places for the things I had
brought from the old house. First and
foremost was the fountain my wife gave me when I turned 30 a year or two ago .
. . give or take the better part of a decade.
Since the move, the fountain had been left out of the way and unfilled
under the mulberry tree just because I didn’t have anywhere else to put it. I would need the fountain to be close to an
electrical outlet for the pump. I would need
level ground. And I wanted it be away
from the house because I had learned through experience that it tends to splash
and leave hard water stains which are as hard to get rid of as glitter on your
skin. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Tangent: I overheard a guy say to his girlfriend in a
craft store a few months ago “Glitter is the herpes of craft supplies.” I’m pretty sure he adopted that line from a
comedian, but I gave him due credit for making me laugh anyway. </blockquote>
<o:p></o:p></div>
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Given that one of the three outside outlets in our
backyard is just feet from the sandbox it quickly dawned on me that the sandbox
would be an ideal location. But what
would my little girl say to that? I have
seen her, several times, suddenly proclaim her rekindled affection for a toy or
stuffed animal only after we decided to donate it to Good Will. Would she suddenly have a hankering for sand
castles or for finally embarking upon her long-planned digging expedition to
China through the center of the earth?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B8OiCt_qJbA/U8dBQktpNsI/AAAAAAAACUE/w9Vf7vmbGW8/s1600/IMG_2147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B8OiCt_qJbA/U8dBQktpNsI/AAAAAAAACUE/w9Vf7vmbGW8/s1600/IMG_2147.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gap in the sidewalk was just wide enough to run the cord AND drip irrigation tubing. Score!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zWy64caWDjY/U8dBQsL9l4I/AAAAAAAACUA/KAaU3AmIzBA/s1600/IMG_2148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zWy64caWDjY/U8dBQsL9l4I/AAAAAAAACUA/KAaU3AmIzBA/s1600/IMG_2148.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I drilled a small hole at the base of the sandbox for the wiring and irrigation.</td></tr>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Clearly I was going to have to run it by her and get her
buyoff. So I asked her point blank, “are
you gonna play in that thing ever again?” or something similarly eloquent. And she said, basically, “of course not,
Daddy. I’m a more grown-up big-little-kid
and I would prefer to do more productive and creative things with my
time.” So, with her permission, and with
her help, we started digging out the sand.
It took a surprising amount of time since I didn’t just want to throw
the sand away. I could use the sand to
level the pavers I had haphazardly placed as a walkway around the corner of the
house. So as we dug out the sandbox we
also leveled the pavers (in the picture below). That took us
most of the afternoon - a long time to ask a 6-year-old to help you in the yard
- but the two of us had a lot of fun working together especially since some of
that work was just looking at the bugs that fled their homes when we unearthed
them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JMZ-z5rOeRQ/U8dB0TL5pZI/AAAAAAAACUU/McqgEg8CceI/s1600/IMG_2144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JMZ-z5rOeRQ/U8dB0TL5pZI/AAAAAAAACUU/McqgEg8CceI/s1600/IMG_2144.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a0qNVPENlOw/U8dB0LET_UI/AAAAAAAACUQ/Y8OpBr125fU/s1600/IMG_2161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a0qNVPENlOw/U8dB0LET_UI/AAAAAAAACUQ/Y8OpBr125fU/s1600/IMG_2161.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hx5NIQYk0dA/U8dB2ULevJI/AAAAAAAACUg/QSjvw_vzQgA/s1600/IMG_2162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hx5NIQYk0dA/U8dB2ULevJI/AAAAAAAACUg/QSjvw_vzQgA/s1600/IMG_2162.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The smaller square rocks were leftover from a Tic Tac Toe game (using river rocks) that didn't get much use <br />after the first year so I repurposed them here. They could use a cleaning, but I'm otherwise happy with the look.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On Father’s Day, after being spoiled with breakfast and
coffee delivered to my lazy butt on the couch, my daughter accompanied me to
the “rock store” (basically a quarry with a nursery attached to it) so we could
buy a smooth paver to use as a base for the fountain. Then we went to the nursery to pick out
plants for our new sandbox garden. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I took her to the shade plants section and basically
said, “Anything you want we can get”. She
chose a couple good looking coleus plants and I picked a few ferns. And together we planted them around the
fountain. One of the coleus plants lost
a limb on the drive home so I showed her how we could put it into some water
and it would grow roots of its own. This
was amazing to her (frankly, it’s amazing to me too). As we worked side by side I got to listen to
her daydream aloud about how we could sell coleus plants to people at a
lemonade and flower stand. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VBgV6kXxylc/U8dCgvQn49I/AAAAAAAACUo/h-Ffm0ibjvI/s1600/IMG_2158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VBgV6kXxylc/U8dCgvQn49I/AAAAAAAACUo/h-Ffm0ibjvI/s1600/IMG_2158.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first "new" coleus is doing just fine.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-grJwljQNHbI/U8dCpZtf4EI/AAAAAAAACU0/ECT6Fa-xths/s1600/IMG_2155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-grJwljQNHbI/U8dCpZtf4EI/AAAAAAAACU0/ECT6Fa-xths/s1600/IMG_2155.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We took cuttings from the other two types we bought and put them in a window sill in my man cave.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As far as Father’s Days goes, this last one was pretty
great. I am lucky to be a father and to
get to spend time with my family. And part of my fortune, I realized, is getting to see the world through the eyes of a child and discovering that it’s not always going to look the way I think
it’s going to. Sometimes that world is going to look like lemonade stands and plant sales instead of sandboxes. And you can find happiness in either one.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>A few shots of the new "sandbox garden":</b><br />
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SvVt85eYh7s/U7zIdy1KRII/AAAAAAAACRo/RMUSbv37CQ4/s1600/IMG_2108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SvVt85eYh7s/U7zIdy1KRII/AAAAAAAACRo/RMUSbv37CQ4/s1600/IMG_2108.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wssRTZxhcEE/U7zIj7g7-xI/AAAAAAAACRw/Z0deGcjDt3Q/s1600/IMG_2112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wssRTZxhcEE/U7zIj7g7-xI/AAAAAAAACRw/Z0deGcjDt3Q/s1600/IMG_2112.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i8lvRxIO1mo/U8dDFM0H5LI/AAAAAAAACU4/B6BbHDudVXg/s1600/IMG_2153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i8lvRxIO1mo/U8dDFM0H5LI/AAAAAAAACU4/B6BbHDudVXg/s1600/IMG_2153.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iRDth8ECMio/U8dDTKybVZI/AAAAAAAACVA/F7cDiI2Bk2U/s1600/IMG_2152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iRDth8ECMio/U8dDTKybVZI/AAAAAAAACVA/F7cDiI2Bk2U/s1600/IMG_2152.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vfxRSU2k8lQ/U7zIptTHmsI/AAAAAAAACR4/f3soZkQKekI/s1600/IMG_2119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vfxRSU2k8lQ/U7zIptTHmsI/AAAAAAAACR4/f3soZkQKekI/s1600/IMG_2119.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Planted with asparagus ferns 'Myers', Japanese Spurge (Pachysandra terminalis), Silver Lady Fern (Blechnum gibbum), Coleus blumei 'Electric Lime', Coleua blumei 'Rustic Orange', and Coleus blumei 'Crimson Gold'.Chad Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179848656904542902noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5697737974013665829.post-44807682901249349002014-07-09T12:41:00.002-07:002014-07-09T12:41:43.334-07:00Mother's Day Garden Tour II - Much Belated<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Boy, oh boy, have I been slacking off. Way back in May I posted some pictures from the Annual Mother's Day Garden Tour that supports an elementary school in East Sacramento. I promised a follow-up and just never delivered.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What can I say? Life has been busy both at my day job and after hours. I've always thought that the cruel irony of garden blogging is that when you are doing the most gardening and would have the most to blog about you happen to have the least amount of time to blog. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Since it's been nearly two months since I went on this tour, I'm just going to post these pictures and make a few comments. I won't go into a great deal of depth and I trust that's okay. I suspect most people just look at pictures on blogs anyway. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GkuLiHMQbNQ/U7zJivm-q6I/AAAAAAAACSA/y6JjW-zJXmA/s1600/IMG_2027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GkuLiHMQbNQ/U7zJivm-q6I/AAAAAAAACSA/y6JjW-zJXmA/s1600/IMG_2027.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the delay in this post, I should have PhotoShopped this picture to read "Welcome Back to East Sacramento".</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tH_7rar3UdM/U7zJoazk8xI/AAAAAAAACSI/Van26I2hV2Y/s1600/IMG_2028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tH_7rar3UdM/U7zJoazk8xI/AAAAAAAACSI/Van26I2hV2Y/s1600/IMG_2028.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This shady garden was a gem. I suspect the above chairs were planted just for the tour though.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-awpDdRfdu2E/U7zJv6RMvVI/AAAAAAAACSQ/36az5T5EBwk/s1600/IMG_2030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-awpDdRfdu2E/U7zJv6RMvVI/AAAAAAAACSQ/36az5T5EBwk/s1600/IMG_2030.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My daughter is seen here in the red coat. I gave her a small point and shoot<br /> camera and she took hundreds of pictures in the gardens. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6wA_xhVv8P0/U7zOA-2poRI/AAAAAAAACSg/B0u81d5ulDI/s1600/IMG_2032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6wA_xhVv8P0/U7zOA-2poRI/AAAAAAAACSg/B0u81d5ulDI/s1600/IMG_2032.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have these same pots at home. I totally know where they bought these. I admire it when people can stick to one type of container. I can't seem to achieve that level of restraint. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IajnLbUBtdA/U7zOBFC3EnI/AAAAAAAACSo/nZBPlqkZLbE/s1600/IMG_2035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IajnLbUBtdA/U7zOBFC3EnI/AAAAAAAACSo/nZBPlqkZLbE/s1600/IMG_2035.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you hate mulch, you probably hate this garden. I can't imagine the upkeep once the leaves fall. But on this day, everything looked clean and crisp.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wRnPSQ_bZNQ/U7zOAQz7urI/AAAAAAAACSc/jznraHZMLz0/s1600/IMG_2037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wRnPSQ_bZNQ/U7zOAQz7urI/AAAAAAAACSc/jznraHZMLz0/s1600/IMG_2037.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Strawberry Tree was growing in the dappled shade. I took this picture of the trunk because of the bark and also to remind myself of the lighting conditions. After seeing this, it occurred to me that the three strawberry trees I have planted were all in full sun. Two of them are dead now and one is at our old house. It never seemed to take off for me though. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QlOes318QIA/U7zODExj7cI/AAAAAAAACS0/IfBMmHtfKh4/s1600/IMG_2040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QlOes318QIA/U7zODExj7cI/AAAAAAAACS0/IfBMmHtfKh4/s1600/IMG_2040.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More mulch and crisp lines.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eGCHzzIS7OM/U7zOD-MY47I/AAAAAAAACTA/6ktDvUX9_gA/s1600/IMG_2050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eGCHzzIS7OM/U7zOD-MY47I/AAAAAAAACTA/6ktDvUX9_gA/s1600/IMG_2050.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isn't this beautiful? No? Well, one of the things I like about garden tours is seeing the ways other people address problems. On this tour I saw how people hung cafe lights and how they brought water to veggie beds (above) among other things.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C76McbEau5g/U7zODpijTkI/AAAAAAAACS4/eyI6a6HLiJQ/s1600/IMG_2053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C76McbEau5g/U7zODpijTkI/AAAAAAAACS4/eyI6a6HLiJQ/s1600/IMG_2053.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artwork done by the kids at the school</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x79R158do9U/U7zOEj2HKJI/AAAAAAAACTI/9dvucKyXJWI/s1600/IMG_2054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x79R158do9U/U7zOEj2HKJI/AAAAAAAACTI/9dvucKyXJWI/s1600/IMG_2054.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More artwork.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l691ZPOU3RM/U7zOFJxtxmI/AAAAAAAACTQ/53vctcyv8Gs/s1600/IMG_2071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l691ZPOU3RM/U7zOFJxtxmI/AAAAAAAACTQ/53vctcyv8Gs/s1600/IMG_2071.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A simple brick pathway - easy and timeless.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Chad Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179848656904542902noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5697737974013665829.post-11458353222016424242014-05-28T11:02:00.001-07:002014-05-28T11:02:47.243-07:00Suffering from a Lack of Focus<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s become increasingly common for me to have conversations
with friends about our growing inability to maintain focus on one thing at a
time. We blame the internet. Commercial break? Check Facebook real quick. Pause in the conversation while you wife
sneezes? That’s a perfect chance to
check your fantasy football scores.
Three minutes before you have to go to a meeting? Refresh your e-mail to
see if anyone else has written. Sad to
say, it’s gotten bad enough for me that it’s no longer uncommon to stop what I’m
reading mid-sentence and check stock prices or to see if any of my favorite
bloggers have published a new post. And
if someone posts an online article with links in it, you can pretty much write-off
any chances of me finishing the original article.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
All this is to say that this sort of internet fueled ADD
has bled over into my unplugged life. It
used to be that I could go outside and tackle a project and work on it until
completion. What is more likely to
happen now is that I will go out to deadhead the dianthus and I’ll end up
working on sprinklers, picking up liquid amber balls of pain and fury, or check
my phone to see just how hot it is because it sure feels hot. Oh look, here comes the ice cream truck. I wonder what kind of profit they make on
days like this. Do you think that’s a
good job or is it just miserable driving around listening to that one song all
day long? What is that song anyway? I should Google it. Now what was I going to do with these pruners
in my pocket? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Gardening is supposed to provide us with a break from
these kinds of distractions isn’t it? <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cF9lUaTY6Mg/U4YiZCJM8RI/AAAAAAAACQY/kqBiiMsskcE/s1600/Succulents.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cF9lUaTY6Mg/U4YiZCJM8RI/AAAAAAAACQY/kqBiiMsskcE/s1600/Succulents.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our drought and the heat make these succulents feel like the only responsible plant I can buy right now.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This past weekend being Memorial Day weekend, I decided
to make a mini-vacation of it and I took a couple extra days off. This allowed me ample opportunity to work in
the yard in the mornings before the afternoon temps hit close to 100
degrees. While I worked, I tried really,
really hard to focus on one task at a time.
I was mildly successful. But at
after a few hours of weeding, it occurred to me that maybe multi-tasking does
have its benefits. For one, it allows
you to use some different muscles and relax others. The biggest advantage of focusing on one task
though has to be the satisfaction that comes when you actually complete something
and know that you’ve done it well. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I installed a brick mow strip to border a new bed I
created a few weeks ago. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TevftjhKT1w/U4YgcgIuO9I/AAAAAAAACP0/arw-IDtchYc/s1600/Mow+strip+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TevftjhKT1w/U4YgcgIuO9I/AAAAAAAACP0/arw-IDtchYc/s1600/Mow+strip+1.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I still need to add some sand to the cracks between the bricks and clean up some of the excess dirt from excavating.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I weeded that
new bed, a bed I made last year, and the vegetable garden. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EXtSsIDQpv8/U4Yg3hVEBCI/AAAAAAAACP8/mLRlgOrQWU8/s1600/vegetable+bed+from+a+distance.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EXtSsIDQpv8/U4Yg3hVEBCI/AAAAAAAACP8/mLRlgOrQWU8/s1600/vegetable+bed+from+a+distance.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My fenced-in vegetable garden as seen through a young pomegranate tree.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I planted plugs of dwarf mondo grass in a
small foundation bed. I trimmed and
pruned the dead wood from several trees.
I hacked off an enormous amount of mulberry branches that were touching
the roof of the house. I extended my
drip irrigation system to include a few more plants that were looking worse for
wear. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HGQWclWWY9g/U4YhNMbhV9I/AAAAAAAACQE/_M_T2sggiE8/s1600/Chaste+Tree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HGQWclWWY9g/U4YhNMbhV9I/AAAAAAAACQE/_M_T2sggiE8/s1600/Chaste+Tree.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the trees I trimmed was this potted Chaste tree. When this tree blooms, it's pretty awesome.</td></tr>
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I replanted a Strawberry Tree that
was competing with the lawn to gain a foothold.
And I thought about, but decided against, cleaning out the potting
shed. But I want credit for just
thinking about it because the thought alone made me tired and irritable.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-braFh-oa5qo/U4YhngoT2RI/AAAAAAAACQM/6uTWdh3yvB4/s1600/Strawberry+tree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-braFh-oa5qo/U4YhngoT2RI/AAAAAAAACQM/6uTWdh3yvB4/s1600/Strawberry+tree.JPG" height="640" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This tree looks so pathetic right now. Its droopy leaves and sparse<br />branches make this look like the landscape equivalent of Charlie Brown's<br />Christmas tree. Hopefully my decision to replant it now will help <br />it along and not sped up its death.</td></tr>
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I stretched my body and my mind and I came away with a
renewed appreciation for what a little focus can do. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L3ly6JM2M8s/U4Yi855b07I/AAAAAAAACQg/ZkhBrJrK5iA/s1600/Pomegranate.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L3ly6JM2M8s/U4Yi855b07I/AAAAAAAACQg/ZkhBrJrK5iA/s1600/Pomegranate.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same view as the one above a couple shots but with a different focus. <br />See, even my pictures can't stay focused on one thing!</td></tr>
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Chad Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179848656904542902noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5697737974013665829.post-67001889732475144272014-05-15T15:08:00.001-07:002014-05-15T15:08:34.126-07:002014 Mother's Day Garden Tour - Part II'm getting old. That's what I realized when this past weekend we found ourselves asking if this was the 8th or 9th year we've gone on the East Sacramento Mother's Day Garden Tour. It seems like just a year or two ago that we were traipsing around, wide-eyed and inspired by these gardens for the very first time. Who'da thunk I'd be old enough to have started a tradition that is very nearly a decade long? <br />
<br />
But enough of that. Let's ignore getting older for a while and take a look at some pictures I took. <br />
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This first garden was amazing. It provided me with an idea of what my garden could look like if I had lots and lots and lots of money and an artist's touch. This house has a current market value in the neighborhood of $1.8 million so that should give you some idea of what I'm talking about. Anyone want to fund my efforts to see if I can duplicate this? No? <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-juiUD_pPrl4/U3U0GxKS9YI/AAAAAAAACNI/5x0Wf9ASFao/s1600/1345+Pic+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-juiUD_pPrl4/U3U0GxKS9YI/AAAAAAAACNI/5x0Wf9ASFao/s1600/1345+Pic+1.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vKfz0kkUBZ0/U3Uz_9Q9QxI/AAAAAAAACMM/MWQ-v_pVo08/s1600/1345+pic+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vKfz0kkUBZ0/U3Uz_9Q9QxI/AAAAAAAACMM/MWQ-v_pVo08/s1600/1345+pic+2.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This wooden garage door is a piece of art by itself.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ByMcfnzrYZI/U3U0AbT-NnI/AAAAAAAACMc/a5CMABbhonA/s1600/1345+pic+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ByMcfnzrYZI/U3U0AbT-NnI/AAAAAAAACMc/a5CMABbhonA/s1600/1345+pic+3.JPG" height="640" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pathway from the driveway into the backyard</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6qJDEgpM7j8/U3U0BKY2gcI/AAAAAAAACMY/m9cZXd-nbM8/s1600/1345+pic+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6qJDEgpM7j8/U3U0BKY2gcI/AAAAAAAACMY/m9cZXd-nbM8/s1600/1345+pic+4.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was one of maybe a half dozen fountains in the garden. It was one of the first things we noticed when entering the garden. There's nothing like the sound of water on a hot day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m9jp5G8z8JM/U3U1E0NHiJI/AAAAAAAACNs/GVCbw-P7XH8/s1600/1345+pic+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m9jp5G8z8JM/U3U1E0NHiJI/AAAAAAAACNs/GVCbw-P7XH8/s1600/1345+pic+6.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Areas like this helped this garden not to feel like it was all about the hardscape.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5XcHJTnGu10/U3U0EAXHZxI/AAAAAAAACMw/RlsrK5I8oRI/s1600/1345+pic+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5XcHJTnGu10/U3U0EAXHZxI/AAAAAAAACMw/RlsrK5I8oRI/s1600/1345+pic+7.JPG" height="640" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A narrow pool in the foreground with the owner's art studio/guest<br />house in the background.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qrbh-SP3mmw/U3U0Fn9iJ-I/AAAAAAAACM4/gtbOEiMWme0/s1600/1345+pic+8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qrbh-SP3mmw/U3U0Fn9iJ-I/AAAAAAAACM4/gtbOEiMWme0/s1600/1345+pic+8.JPG" height="640" width="428" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ivIktH6GNjc/U3U0F12R9II/AAAAAAAACNM/kEUJdNin8zg/s1600/1345+pic+9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ivIktH6GNjc/U3U0F12R9II/AAAAAAAACNM/kEUJdNin8zg/s1600/1345+pic+9.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amen to this, right?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kVuwoWpu1nA/U3Uz_G4ZCdI/AAAAAAAACME/z8lWHf7Q9jw/s1600/1345+pic+10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kVuwoWpu1nA/U3Uz_G4ZCdI/AAAAAAAACME/z8lWHf7Q9jw/s1600/1345+pic+10.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's not every day that I get to stand UNDERNEATH a Japanese maple. I can only imagine how old this beauty is.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EdC3eOB4lKI/U3Uz_Ag80jI/AAAAAAAACMI/Ewk-Uc3ouz0/s1600/1345+pic+11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EdC3eOB4lKI/U3Uz_Ag80jI/AAAAAAAACMI/Ewk-Uc3ouz0/s1600/1345+pic+11.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I loaned my daughter a small camera for the day. <br />She took more pictures than I did and kept herself entertained in the process.</td></tr>
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The second garden on our tour was more modest and quite small. It looked like the house was newly built and I guess that didn't leave a lot of room for the garden.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zvDTTdxboUI/U3U3jprYScI/AAAAAAAACOA/Uaq6o27nEKU/s1600/1600+Pic+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zvDTTdxboUI/U3U3jprYScI/AAAAAAAACOA/Uaq6o27nEKU/s1600/1600+Pic+1.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As you can see, this one bed dominated the entire landscape of the front yard. But I like the retaining wall.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TvVqgemxkeA/U3U3jmLun3I/AAAAAAAACOk/V1dL99MRoT4/s1600/1600+Pic+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TvVqgemxkeA/U3U3jmLun3I/AAAAAAAACOk/V1dL99MRoT4/s1600/1600+Pic+2.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pillows are a nice touch of civic pride.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HFNidM_6Fbg/U3U3jtFicnI/AAAAAAAACN8/NoCgoCKEGTY/s1600/1600+Pic+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HFNidM_6Fbg/U3U3jtFicnI/AAAAAAAACN8/NoCgoCKEGTY/s1600/1600+Pic+3.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm a sucker for fountains, river rock, and pavers. But this still didn't work for me aesthetically. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KsGvuLZb4xY/U3U4DTZ-lbI/AAAAAAAACOs/kOcLXsKwmkA/s1600/1600+Pic+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KsGvuLZb4xY/U3U4DTZ-lbI/AAAAAAAACOs/kOcLXsKwmkA/s1600/1600+Pic+4.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was intrigued by this iron display but found it hard to capture with the camera especially<br />since the space was cramped and I was trying to be respectful of other people on the tour.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6tCqz0eBzSw/U3U3karMwQI/AAAAAAAACOI/foAQAebosOU/s1600/1600+Pic+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6tCqz0eBzSw/U3U3karMwQI/AAAAAAAACOI/foAQAebosOU/s1600/1600+Pic+5.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view of the iron work. The wall on the right is part of the detached garage.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KkBiyJBDReM/U3U4NkO1jPI/AAAAAAAACO0/c7D4gth6tvU/s1600/1600+Pic+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KkBiyJBDReM/U3U4NkO1jPI/AAAAAAAACO0/c7D4gth6tvU/s1600/1600+Pic+6.JPG" height="640" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Given the newness of this garden, I can only assume that this Japanese maple<br />is one of the unnamed seedlings which generally grow faster and are much<br />cheaper to buy when they are this large. Cultivar name or not, it's a nice tree. </td></tr>
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Our last garden for this post had it's fair share of charm. Unfortunately, this house was on a corner lot and I didn't get a chance to see the front yard since the entrance to the garden was on the other side. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-colntrlTROc/U3U58Ty4bDI/AAAAAAAACPA/cYggAY5_oH4/s1600/1243+Pic+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-colntrlTROc/U3U58Ty4bDI/AAAAAAAACPA/cYggAY5_oH4/s1600/1243+Pic+1.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An old chandelier is given new life as whimsical plant container.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VkBpdjM62R0/U3U59uJElNI/AAAAAAAACPQ/Szm8vVcKfbQ/s1600/1243+pic+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VkBpdjM62R0/U3U59uJElNI/AAAAAAAACPQ/Szm8vVcKfbQ/s1600/1243+pic+3.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ecXRRJ7-IdU/U3U58eGv3yI/AAAAAAAACO8/BT1E4aTmo44/s1600/1243+Pic+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ecXRRJ7-IdU/U3U58eGv3yI/AAAAAAAACO8/BT1E4aTmo44/s1600/1243+Pic+2.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mason jars were painted blue and pink and hung from chairs.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hQ7gz1vF_SA/U3U588ZeU-I/AAAAAAAACPE/GcJa4OQVmL8/s1600/1243+pic+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hQ7gz1vF_SA/U3U588ZeU-I/AAAAAAAACPE/GcJa4OQVmL8/s1600/1243+pic+4.JPG" height="428" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's no lawn and plenty of shade in this garden. If it were my space, I'd want a little more room to<br />plant things, but it also seems like a nice place to entertain friends in the evening.</td></tr>
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More pictures to come in the next few days. Thanks for taking a looksie with me. <br />
<br />Chad Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179848656904542902noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5697737974013665829.post-37097102131346487622014-05-01T20:03:00.000-07:002014-05-01T20:03:12.294-07:00One Of Those Hot NightsIt got hot here this week. It was at least 92/93 degrees today which is right on the border of misery. But hot days often make for pleasant evenings in Sacramento. Tonight is one of those nights. After we finished dinner and did the dishes I was drawn to the window by the sound of a couple mourning doves on one of the wires stretching from the telephone pole to our house.<br />
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I must have spooked them because they flew off and perched on another wire farther away. I think they can get a better view of the sunset from these wires anyway.<br />
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While standing at the window gawking at the birds like I'd never seen flying creatures before, I realized that the setting sun made everything look better. I grabbed my camera and went out to see if I could capture the feeling (I couldn't, but the following pictures were my attempt):<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iBlEoJrD9h8/U2MGkDU5-TI/AAAAAAAACLc/_nkkm4l8Fp0/s1600/IMG_1946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iBlEoJrD9h8/U2MGkDU5-TI/AAAAAAAACLc/_nkkm4l8Fp0/s1600/IMG_1946.JPG" height="426" title="Bloodgood Japanese Maple" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Acer palmatum 'Bloodgood' - one of the most ubiquitous Japanese Maples </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I've had this 'Bloodgood' maple for years. It was the first one I ever bought and I have abused, neglected, and mistreated this fella since Day 1. I even removed about half of the tree this very spring. One day I just felt like pruning stuff and I took a "what doesn't kill you will make you stronger" approach with this tree. And if it died? Oh well. <br />
<br />
And yet here it is, shining in the sunlight for me to enjoy as if I hadn't totally insulted it. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UuNMkbLklMk/U2MINCFksrI/AAAAAAAACLo/VvvSH-Qyazo/s1600/IMG_1939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UuNMkbLklMk/U2MINCFksrI/AAAAAAAACLo/VvvSH-Qyazo/s1600/IMG_1939.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Looking just to the left of the Bloodgood, you can see the borrowed view of our neighbor's mature trees. You can also see multiple power lines, cable lines and who knows what other kinds of lines those are. It's a shame that our homes need to have these visual monstrosities in order for us to do things like blog on the internet. But the greens, the reds, and the golden sunshine help distract from the wires if only for a few minutes.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kW9hC37-bh8/U2MI84eUTDI/AAAAAAAACLw/dH90qBCy1qI/s1600/IMG_1942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kW9hC37-bh8/U2MI84eUTDI/AAAAAAAACLw/dH90qBCy1qI/s1600/IMG_1942.JPG" height="426" title="Rosa 'Mr. Lincoln'" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Rosa '</i>Mr. Lincoln'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
At the other end of the yard. the sun's rays had already gone behind the trees. But I was captivated by the juxtaposition of the red rose petals against the weathered fence boards. If I wanted to get all poetic here, I'd make an analogy about how two of the blooms have clearly passed their prime. They are setting suns at the end of their path. But the third bloom is still just a promise. It has yet to open, it has yet to shine. That bloom is like tomorrow's sun. But I don't want to get all poetic. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Chad Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179848656904542902noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5697737974013665829.post-25913678257049518552014-04-30T14:10:00.001-07:002014-04-30T14:10:35.763-07:00Garden Dictionary 3rd Edition<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
It's been just over two years since
I've done a post on Dictionary.com's Word of the Day words that relate to
gardening. I aim to change that today. Without further ado, here
are some of the new words I’ve learned:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: '', sans-serif, '', serif; font-size: 14.5pt;">quincunx</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">\KWING-kuhngks, KWIN-\,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>noun</i>:</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">1.</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">an arrangement of five objects, as trees,
in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle.<br />
<b>2.</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em><span style="font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif";">Botany.</span></em><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>an overlapping arrangement of five
petals or leaves, in which two are interior, two are exterior, and one is
partly interior and partly exterior.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: '', sans-serif, '', serif; font-size: 14.5pt;">bedraggle</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">\bih-DRAG-uhl\,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>verb</i>:</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">to make
limp and soiled, as with rain or dirt.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: '', sans-serif, '', serif; font-size: 14.5pt;">serotinal</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">\si-ROT-n-l, ser-uh-TAHYN-l\,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>adjective</i>:</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">pertaining
to or occurring in late summer.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: '', sans-serif, '', serif; font-size: 14.5pt;">albedo</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">\al-BEE-doh\,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>noun</i>:</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">1.</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">the white, inner rind of a citrus fruit.<br />
<b>2.</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em><span style="font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif";">Astronomy.</span></em><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>the ratio of the light reflected by a
planet or satellite to that received by it.<br />
<b>3.</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em><span style="font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif";">Meteorology.</span></em><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>such a ratio for any part of the
earth's surface or atmosphere.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: '', sans-serif, '', serif; font-size: 14.5pt;">commissure</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">\KOM-uh-shoor, -shur\,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>noun</i>:</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">1.</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">a joint; seam; suture.<br />
<b>2.</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em><span style="font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif";">Botany</span></em>. the joint or
face by which one carpel coheres with another.<br />
<b>3.</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em><span style="font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif";">Anatomy, Zoology</span></em>. a
connecting band of nerve fiber, especially one joining the right and left sides
of the brain or spinal cord.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: '', sans-serif, '', serif; font-size: 14.5pt;">lea</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">\lee, ley\,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>noun</i>:</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">1.</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">a tract of open ground, especially grassland;
meadow.<br />
<b>2.</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>land used for a few
years for pasture or for growing hay, then plowed over and replaced by another
crop.<br />
<b>3.</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>a crop of hay on
tillable land.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: '', sans-serif, '', serif; font-size: 14.5pt;">bosky</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">\BOS-kee\,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>adjective</i>:</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">1.</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">covered with bushes, shrubs, and small
trees; woody.<br />
<b>2.</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>shady.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: '', sans-serif, '', serif; font-size: 14.5pt;">sessile</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">\SES-il, -ahyl\,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>adjective</i>:</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">1.</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></span><em><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Zoology</span></em><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">.
permanently attached; not freely moving.<br />
<b>2.</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em><span style="font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif";">Botany</span></em>. attached by the
base, or without any distinct projecting support, as a leaf issuing directly
from the stem.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: '', sans-serif, '', serif; font-size: 14.5pt;">albumen</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">\al-BYOO-muhn\,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>noun</i>:</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">1.</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">the white of an egg.<br />
<b>2.</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em><span style="font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif";">Botany</span></em>. the nutritive
matter around the embryo in a seed.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: '', sans-serif, '', serif; font-size: 14.5pt;">pluvial</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">\PLOO-vee-uhl\,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>adjective</i>:</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">1.</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">of or pertaining to rain; rainy.<br />
<b>2.</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em><span style="font-family: ""sans-serif"","serif";">Geology</span></em>. occurring
through the action of rain.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
But what good is learning new words if you
can’t put them into a sentence? Here’s
my attempt to use all these new words in one very short story:<span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><b>The Gambling Gardener</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Deep in the <u>serotinal </u>era of his life, the <u>bedraggled </u>gambler had a flash
of clarity. He had been waiting for the new card dealer to get set up when he realized that his ever-expanding butt
and the stool at the blackjack table had formed a veritable <u>sessile</u>. If he didn’t move
soon, he’d never do anything else with his life. In that moment, like the moment before we die, he recalled his entire youth and experienced, if only briefly, the unbridled joy he used to feel while exploring the <u>bosky </u>acreage around the home he grew up in. The memory triggered in him
an unquenchable desire to seek out his own <u>lea </u>in a <u>pluvial </u>land. He could buy it with what was left of his gambling winnings if he walked away from the table now. The land would be a blank slate upon
which he could impress a new set of ideals, his own will, and a new system of taking chances against all odds. He decided he would buy plants that were on the very edge of his USDA Hardiness Zone. He would put full sun plants in part shade. He would not pay much attention to spacing requirements either. He was, after all, a gambler at heart.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NX5qe73mqjA/U2Fi6ixXmLI/AAAAAAAACLA/kv69QxEhCCw/s1600/5-dice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NX5qe73mqjA/U2Fi6ixXmLI/AAAAAAAACLA/kv69QxEhCCw/s1600/5-dice.jpg" height="200" width="188" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
And in
return, the land would nurture him as the <u>albumen </u>does the unborn chick. He would emerge from his shell and, in time, he would peel off the remaining <u>albedo</u> of his old life like a child before eating an orange and what was left would be exquisite. He would become a gardener. He would sink roots into the land. His shovel would be a <u>commissure </u>between him and the soil. And every time he planted something, he would
arrange it in a <u>quincunx </u>to remind himself of the dice he used to roll and how he
could now enjoy rolling the dice on a new life. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
He swore to himself that he would do all of this and more . . . after one more hand.<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Chad Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179848656904542902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5697737974013665829.post-59072124448786283702014-04-23T15:44:00.001-07:002014-04-25T09:00:22.008-07:00Will We Still Garden When Grief Comes?<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
In the past couple weeks I have watched two close friends
experience the grief of unexpectedly losing a parent. Another friend is closing in on a year
without his father and the grief is still an ever-present weight in his life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Nothing focuses our attention on what matters quite as
acutely as grief does. In those moments
we cling to whatever gives us hope, whatever gives us peace, or whatever just
feels safe. All of the other things in
our lives just recede into the background, into what life used to be like. <i>Before</i>.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lTw2aJTpvhs/U0N4EZP5o-I/AAAAAAAACKg/8bLVM5YLWEE/s1600/IMG_1319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lTw2aJTpvhs/U0N4EZP5o-I/AAAAAAAACKg/8bLVM5YLWEE/s1600/IMG_1319.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I keep this photo at my desk at work as a reminder that what matters most to me can fit in a single picture.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As an outsider in this time of grief, I have watched my
friends turn different directions. One
turned to a faith in God that had been dormant for years. He wanted to experience something he hadn’t
felt in a long time. Another turned away
from God saying he couldn’t believe in an all-powerful and all-loving being
that wouldn’t give his father peace before he died. This friend sought peace in other things I won't name here. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Life is filled with things for us to do. We stay busy with friends, hobbies, passions,
and pursuits. But when grief visits, we
suddenly find it not only easy to walk away from these things, but
necessary. These things might have felt
like a critical component of ourselves just days before. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Watching my friends struggle and watching what they
choose to do in their time of need has prodded me to consider what my response would
be. What would I turn to? What would no longer feel important? If it would not be important to me in a time of
pain, should it really be important now? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I was pondering these very questions while working in the
yard on Sunday and I quickly realized that gardening
is one of those things that could melt away if tragedy struck. The weeds would grow and I wouldn’t
care.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SA-8seBrxUw/U0N4_bADejI/AAAAAAAACKw/wIUDXmcFKy0/s1600/IMG_1886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SA-8seBrxUw/U0N4_bADejI/AAAAAAAACKw/wIUDXmcFKy0/s1600/IMG_1886.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grass and weeds creep in on the orange tree's territory. It is littered with last year's fruit and this year's blooms.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Tomatoes would rot on the vine but
it wouldn’t matter because I wouldn’t have an appetite. The sprinklers would fall into disrepair and I
would neglect them. I would absolutely
stop turning the compost. But I believe
that I would eventually return to gardening.
I would return to it because it is a quiet way to spend a day. I would return to it because my laboring would
help my body and my heart feel in tune.
I would return to gardening because it allows the mind to wander. I would return to it because of the
perspective that gardening provides on seasons, life and death, renewal, beauty,
hope, hard work, and sustenance. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wT69LgswxjI/U0N4jB2DBOI/AAAAAAAACKo/gAOKZNcExOc/s1600/IMG_1885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wT69LgswxjI/U0N4jB2DBOI/AAAAAAAACKo/gAOKZNcExOc/s1600/IMG_1885.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone else could worry about feeding the birds.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I am thankful for my garden. I am thankful for a quiet place within which
I can mull over the questions I have. I
am thankful for the peace I have and I hope that I can use that peace to share a
little comfort with my friends who need it. <o:p></o:p></div>
Chad Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179848656904542902noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5697737974013665829.post-22905168135492592652014-03-29T14:17:00.000-07:002014-03-29T14:17:12.478-07:00Japanese Maples in Spring<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C9Z4o5FhtaU/Uzc2asd10oI/AAAAAAAACJQ/Ga0pR9sigjU/s1600/IMG_1848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C9Z4o5FhtaU/Uzc2asd10oI/AAAAAAAACJQ/Ga0pR9sigjU/s1600/IMG_1848.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Murasaki Kiyohime - a great dwarf JM for a shady spot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QaXyXF8f11o/Uzc2ayiVdAI/AAAAAAAACJU/JwFwQQHc_oI/s1600/IMG_1851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QaXyXF8f11o/Uzc2ayiVdAI/AAAAAAAACJU/JwFwQQHc_oI/s1600/IMG_1851.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katsura - has almost neon green spring colors.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4ynGBiGgPnU/Uzc2aqeQ3zI/AAAAAAAACJY/rFVm2hw9zcw/s1600/IMG_1854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4ynGBiGgPnU/Uzc2aqeQ3zI/AAAAAAAACJY/rFVm2hw9zcw/s1600/IMG_1854.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">O Isami - Acer Japonicum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-82XyyoEsbZs/Uzc2dEbMFwI/AAAAAAAACJo/mdeLVE5gxO0/s1600/IMG_1855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-82XyyoEsbZs/Uzc2dEbMFwI/AAAAAAAACJo/mdeLVE5gxO0/s1600/IMG_1855.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Dragon - a slow growing lace leaf maple. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lECyHo9TCsE/Uzc2eD32gfI/AAAAAAAACJw/u8tQ7YSH92M/s1600/IMG_1859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lECyHo9TCsE/Uzc2eD32gfI/AAAAAAAACJw/u8tQ7YSH92M/s1600/IMG_1859.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of the leaves on an Otto's Dissectum JM</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HcK3lL8YmQQ/Uzc2fCmpV5I/AAAAAAAACJ8/TVlARmI9wG8/s1600/IMG_1860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HcK3lL8YmQQ/Uzc2fCmpV5I/AAAAAAAACJ8/TVlARmI9wG8/s1600/IMG_1860.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Koto No Ito - a beautiful, delicate-looking tree.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X0yBOWee5h8/Uzc2e0L-mTI/AAAAAAAACJ4/s2poPcPyteI/s1600/IMG_1862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X0yBOWee5h8/Uzc2e0L-mTI/AAAAAAAACJ4/s2poPcPyteI/s1600/IMG_1862.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ryusen - a unique tree that can be trained to act like a ground cover.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2PKTIB6WIv4/Uzc2gRLvOhI/AAAAAAAACKI/mpzHQnrxy1Q/s1600/IMG_1864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2PKTIB6WIv4/Uzc2gRLvOhI/AAAAAAAACKI/mpzHQnrxy1Q/s1600/IMG_1864.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orangeola - I had one of these at my old house but had to leave it behind. <br />I couldn't resist replacing it when I saw this one at the nursery the other day. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dy0EhGP4GtA/Uzc2g-IPavI/AAAAAAAACKQ/7CtnSTGN-xg/s1600/IMG_1868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dy0EhGP4GtA/Uzc2g-IPavI/AAAAAAAACKQ/7CtnSTGN-xg/s1600/IMG_1868.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Viridis - a weeping lace leaf maple that should eventually be wider than it is tall. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Chad Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179848656904542902noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5697737974013665829.post-74428779792787019792014-02-27T22:35:00.003-08:002014-02-27T22:35:41.094-08:00Captain Ahab's Focus<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I suppose I should admit it to the world something that my wife has known for years: I’m not
the best multi-tasker. I don’t necessarily think of this as a negative though. In
the “glass half full” spirit of things, I see my propensity for avoiding
multi-tasking as a direct cause of my single-minded determination. I have an Ahab-like ability to obsess on one
thing at time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Once my obsession has taken root, I find it difficult
to move onto other things. For the last
two months, my obsession has centered on the construction of a new room off the
back of our garage that we’re temporarily referring to as a “man cave”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FS_2PioLdhM/UxAoNWQZSfI/AAAAAAAACH8/41PC7KGKhZI/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FS_2PioLdhM/UxAoNWQZSfI/AAAAAAAACH8/41PC7KGKhZI/s1600/001.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A place for tables without chairs, cabinets filled with paint cans, and rusty file cabinets. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Before it was th</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">e man cave, this room was a
thrown-together catch all. My guess is
that former occupants of this house used it as a shop and a place for their
kids to shoot their air soft guns. The
structure, such as it was, stood on top of a slightly raised concrete pad that takes up the
majority of what was once a good sized patio.
Initially, I thought we could just tear down some of the old construction
and put up new dry wall and replace some lights and we’d call it
good. But when we discovered that the
entire frame was nothing more than one of those iron patio awnings we knew it
was best to tear it all down and start from scratch. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MFedEAXACgU/UxApec8F-iI/AAAAAAAACII/Ymt3w_ECiQY/s1600/IMG_1060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MFedEAXACgU/UxApec8F-iI/AAAAAAAACII/Ymt3w_ECiQY/s1600/IMG_1060.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After we moved in I started filling this space with weed whackers, HD buckets, and gardening shoes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Although this means the entire project would be much
more expensive, it turned out to be a real blessing for me. I was able to design the new
room and add in all the perks that would make it truly usable as an extra space for our family. Because this room juts out onto the patio,
and the back yard as a result, I had to consider the exterior of
this room as a backdrop for the garden at large. To that end, when we designed the room I made
sure that there was enough space between the windows that I could put my large
planter box/trellis between the windows without blocking any of the light. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gGm7OYeUtAk/Tp4yKXcmXZI/AAAAAAAAAeA/amwzO6tua74/s1600/IMG_7701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gGm7OYeUtAk/Tp4yKXcmXZI/AAAAAAAAAeA/amwzO6tua74/s1600/IMG_7701.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This now fits perfectly between the room's two windows.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I also made sure we installed several
exterior outlets making it easier to do things like power Christmas lights,
corded power tools, low voltage lighting, irrigation timers, and anything else that comes with an electrical cord. I also asked for an outlet to be installed
just under the eaves because I thought that would be a perfect way for me
to realize my Pinterest-inspired day dreams of being able to string café lights up into the
mulberry tree that presides over our patio. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/a2/36/f0/a236f03bf9d499f3587783abcf7d7235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oyot6VDiR_o/UxAqiFnX0OI/AAAAAAAACIQ/iOnYG-23M80/s1600/cafe+lights.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Something like this is what I'm aiming for. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">After two months of construction, the keys have finally
been turned over to me and the decorating will begin in earnest this weekend. Once I have gotten the interior situated to
my liking, I am going to turn my obsession to getting the patio set up the way I
like it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6xJarvEL25o/UxArCzp5weI/AAAAAAAACIg/Zfd39eiLcO0/s1600/IMG_1782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6xJarvEL25o/UxArCzp5weI/AAAAAAAACIg/Zfd39eiLcO0/s1600/IMG_1782.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fresh start always comes with a renewed feeling of hope.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i7cafmwCSUs/UxAqypX2P2I/AAAAAAAACIc/dpmGC4LuFgg/s1600/IMG_1779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i7cafmwCSUs/UxAqypX2P2I/AAAAAAAACIc/dpmGC4LuFgg/s1600/IMG_1779.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The door on the left now hides the utility meter and provides a little closet storage.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4o03gk5QljI/UxAsWR6QoiI/AAAAAAAACI0/0h2hnldYqPo/s1600/IMG_1783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4o03gk5QljI/UxAsWR6QoiI/AAAAAAAACI0/0h2hnldYqPo/s1600/IMG_1783.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If I knew how to Photoshop, I'd erase those chairs from the picture. Obviously I don't know how to Photoshop.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">At my last residence, I was very
much a container gardener. I probably
had 20 different containers on my back patio alone.
I enjoy container gardening immensely.
I used to think that I was a container gardener because I lacked the
space to do more traditional gardening.
But now I understand that I enjoyed the restriction of it, the "movability" of plants in pots, the ability to easily change the scenery as my
mood dictates, and the experimentation involved.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o47q1U5Zm_4/UxAr_8_uL0I/AAAAAAAACIs/vWRLV8lriXM/s1600/IMG_1373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o47q1U5Zm_4/UxAr_8_uL0I/AAAAAAAACIs/vWRLV8lriXM/s1600/IMG_1373.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nearly time to pull my pots and misc. containers out of storage!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I am definitely looking forward to letting myself
obsess about filling up my patio with plants, pots, and power cords. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
Chad Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179848656904542902noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5697737974013665829.post-72388999593016414192014-02-24T12:10:00.003-08:002014-02-26T08:59:48.818-08:00Spring: In Seven Pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sacramento's spring has begun. There are still plenty of leafless trees and our record breaking dry winter (part of California's worst drought in 500 years) has left many homes, mine included, with dry, brown lawns. But it's not all gross to look at. Here's a peak at what has been blooming in my yard the last few days.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HyIqAJyvRzI/UwroyJTbcCI/AAAAAAAACHg/S_UqOsF7P14/s1600/IMG_1753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HyIqAJyvRzI/UwroyJTbcCI/AAAAAAAACHg/S_UqOsF7P14/s1600/IMG_1753.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A plum tree of an unknown variety. But I think it might be a Blue Damson or a "French Improved" <br />
No matter the type, the blooms this year were the first to proclaim the end of winter. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aUqnAhSQ5rU/Uwrors6PcqI/AAAAAAAACHY/IMoyMOYyTGw/s1600/IMG_1745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aUqnAhSQ5rU/Uwrors6PcqI/AAAAAAAACHY/IMoyMOYyTGw/s1600/IMG_1745.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One morning last week I woke up and saw a Camellia bloom. A few hours later there were a half dozen opening up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d_YsnLJLmwY/UwrobFbUxYI/AAAAAAAACHA/HxQoeeuSZKQ/s1600/IMG_1767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d_YsnLJLmwY/UwrobFbUxYI/AAAAAAAACHA/HxQoeeuSZKQ/s1600/IMG_1767.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Japanese maple cultivar "Katsura" is almost always the first to leaf out in the spring. <br />
It starts out yellow with tinges of red and then turns lime green for a while before darkening a few shades in summer.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qb2Q4k-bCi0/UwroW3TgYwI/AAAAAAAACG4/xl_a-d7bPqA/s1600/IMG_1765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qb2Q4k-bCi0/UwroW3TgYwI/AAAAAAAACG4/xl_a-d7bPqA/s1600/IMG_1765.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This hydrangea managed to hold onto a few leaves from last season and is now putting on new growth.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1xUe_8hOnAU/UwrofwVo6DI/AAAAAAAACHI/GHarT1TP-Ig/s1600/IMG_1770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1xUe_8hOnAU/UwrofwVo6DI/AAAAAAAACHI/GHarT1TP-Ig/s1600/IMG_1770.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is one of my favorite Japanese maples. The cultivar name is Murasaki Kiyohme. <br />
It's a smaller JM and suitable for growing in a container in a shady spot. <br />
All JMs prefer afternoon shade in hot climates but this one is especially sensitive to hot sun <br />
and the leaves will shrivel up in the wrong spot. <br />
If you look closely, you can see the buds are just beginning to swell.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pldf8K96g0k/UwrokLYwX-I/AAAAAAAACHQ/1VePY7flPzM/s1600/IMG_1771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pldf8K96g0k/UwrokLYwX-I/AAAAAAAACHQ/1VePY7flPzM/s1600/IMG_1771.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The birds have returned and their voracious appetites made quick work of what I put out for them.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5u0oQSgZ45E/UwroR1IBOqI/AAAAAAAACGw/tFz8QFgOLX8/s1600/IMG_1761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5u0oQSgZ45E/UwroR1IBOqI/AAAAAAAACGw/tFz8QFgOLX8/s1600/IMG_1761.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This pictures sums up Sacramento's Spring pretty well. There are plenty of weeds to attend to but since they are the greenest part of the lawn I might just decide to let them take over this year. Who needs a lawn anyway?</td></tr>
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<br />Chad Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179848656904542902noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5697737974013665829.post-77751228746552484712014-02-10T10:28:00.004-08:002014-02-10T10:28:47.288-08:00There's No Terroir There<div class="MsoNormal">
At some point in my garden blog reading, I began to
encounter a fancy French word, <i><a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/terroir?s=t" target="_blank">terroir</a>.</i> I quickly realized that “terroir” is what the
smart gardeners call what the rest of us explain as “what’s it like where I
live”. Less sardonically, terroir means a
sense of place. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Being a connoisseur of fancy words, I quickly filed this one
away. It went under: Words I Like but
Will Never Use in Casual Conversation. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is no casual conversation though. I know that if you’re reading my blog it’s
because you are esoteric in your own way, right? So allow me, if you will, to write about what
it’s like where I live. Allow me to
explore the terroir. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don’t want to tell you too much about the weather (historically dry until the last week) although that plays a significant role. And I don’t want to write too much about my
neighborhood (old with lots of character). <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-awv_8d_fgp0/UvjyIZtP4xI/AAAAAAAACGY/LrSTGi3Js5Q/s1600/IMG_1704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-awv_8d_fgp0/UvjyIZtP4xI/AAAAAAAACGY/LrSTGi3Js5Q/s1600/IMG_1704.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My neighborhood is filled with turkeys.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I want to write more about my <i>sense of the place</i>. I have
lived in my house for less than a year.
In fact, it’s been just about a year since I first saw the listing for
our house online. I have probably
written several times before, or at least I’ve thought about writing several
times, that one of the main draws to this house was the lot itself. All I saw was potential. I was so excited to get started with a new
garden, a garden that had room to grow, where I could plant more than one tree
and not worry that it was the only thing I’d have room for in the entire
yard. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But then I got here, moved my family’s stuff and my personal
junk into the house, worked on some projects, and did the unthinkable and hired
people to mow my own lawn. And after
some nine or ten months I feel like I don’t have any real understanding of the
terroir of my lot. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My yard is still largely a blank slate. I have certainly done things since I’ve been
here. I planted most of the Japanese
maples that had lived in pots at my old place.
I have created one new garden bed, cut down lots of poorly planted and
placed trees, and added some boxwood hedges, patches of ferns, and tackled my
vegetable garden. But it still just
feels like small pieces of a larger puzzle - only this puzzle is lacking the
box with the big picture on it. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FHIth6GITDQ/UvjyM-J7LWI/AAAAAAAACGg/pvbnDvOtlu8/s1600/IMG_1719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FHIth6GITDQ/UvjyM-J7LWI/AAAAAAAACGg/pvbnDvOtlu8/s1600/IMG_1719.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These pieces (the chair, the potted Japanese maple, the wood lantern) all had a place at my old house.<br />Now they are grouped together on the island of misfit elements.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The other morning as I drove through the neighborhood and
looked at other people’s yards, it struck me how differently people landscape
their yards. I don’t know most of my new
neighbors yet, but I can’t help but derive a sense of who they are based on
what I sense of their place. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That got me to thinking about how other people might perceive
my landscape and what that says about me.
Can they tell just from looking that I’m still feeling
directionless? Can they sense the
influence of too many different voices the way I do? Do they experience the terroir of my yard the
same way I do? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the realm of all things that are much less important
than life-and-death, one of the worst things to feel is discouragement caused by your lack of progress in an endeavor like art, writing, or gardening. But I am not as discouraged as I could
be. Although I sense that the terroir of
my garden is as muddled as a slow-moving stream with too many kids playing in it, I
also know that Spring is just a few warm days away here (the ornamental pear trees in
the neighborhood have already bloomed!).
And when the Spring rains come through, this muddy water will be revived
and I will have my chance to do a little bit more to fill this place with my
voice.<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C6a_z3krzYk/UvQNVCTqPCI/AAAAAAAACGE/HYl1XlKRUAA/s1600/Pincushion.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C6a_z3krzYk/UvQNVCTqPCI/AAAAAAAACGE/HYl1XlKRUAA/s1600/Pincushion.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This pincushion flower is already blooming in my front yard.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am curious to hear from you on this topic if you have a
moment. I would love to hear how long it
took you before you started to feel like your garden or yard or home started to
feel like something you wanted it to feel like.
Did you have a good sense for the garden right away or did you have to
live with it and listen to it for some time before it became clear to you?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Chad Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179848656904542902noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5697737974013665829.post-16864632657332724152013-12-20T20:41:00.002-08:002013-12-20T20:41:39.500-08:00Our Unifying Cry: More Light!<div class="MsoNormal">
Before we sing Silent Night in a Christmas Eve candlelight
service, before we open presents by the light of our Christmas trees and a new
dawn, before we celebrate the New Year with fireworks, we will go through the
darkness of the winter solstice.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UpEVQG1CziU/UrUXBS1lMnI/AAAAAAAACFg/8vMzmT7UDSk/s1600/IMG_1636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UpEVQG1CziU/UrUXBS1lMnI/AAAAAAAACFg/8vMzmT7UDSk/s1600/IMG_1636.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Decorating the Christmas tree this year</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In my part of the world that means tomorrow will have 9
hours, 28 minutes and 16 seconds of daylight and 14 hours, 31 minutes and 44
seconds of darkness. The next day we’ll
gain just two seconds of light. The
second day we’ll gain 6 seconds, then 9 seconds, 13 seconds, and 17
seconds. Small gains, to be sure, but
the light will come back.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
I do not like these dark days. I get sleepy early. I am less productive. I am grumpier than I should be. But there’s something magical and symbolic
about this time of year too. I have thought
lately that it would have been ideal to celebrate Christmas on the 22<sup>nd</sup>
of December instead of the 25<sup>th</sup>.
That would make it both a literal and a symbolic celebration of more
light coming into the world.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What I do like about darkness is that it forces us to take notice of it, to contemplate what it is and what it is not. The darkness can cause us to be introspective, contemplative, and reflective. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The best network television show of the 1990s (Northern Exposure) had a wonderful episode called <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0662375/" target="_blank">Northern Lights</a>. The show takes place in Alaska where the nights in winter are even longer so of course, light is going to be on their minds. This last scene from that episode gives me chills. May it bring some light into your darkest day too.</div>
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Chad Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01179848656904542902noreply@blogger.com5