Wicked Plants

I've finished Amy Stewart's "Wicked Plants" and enjoyed it immensely. My garden has been wicked for ages.... Some of my favorites are posted below. Happy Halloween!

Halloween

Sunday was the epitome of Autumn perfection. Basking in the joyous glow of warm sunshine, enjoying the serenity the Fall season offers, one could truly relax after the hurried pace of the summer garden. With the exquisite feel of Sunday, it is not odd that Fall is a favorite season, cherished all the more for its fleeting passage.

Each year at this time it is nice to review the origins of one of our most anticipated holidays, Halloween. As with many of our holidays, its origins are rooted deep within the pagan past of our ancestors and celebrations have been altered over time to adapt to our Christian beliefs. New Years Day was November first in ancient Ireland, Briton, and Northern France and ushered in the beginning of the season in which the earth appeared dead.

The day before the New Year, it was believed the Lord of the Dead allowed the souls of the departed to return to their earthly homes. The people were told to put out their hearth fires so as not to frighten the returning souls. They lit huge bonfires of sacred oak branches to drive away evil spirits who might be returning as well. They made offerings of animal sacrifices and often wore costumes so the visiting Lord of Death could not recognize them and come for them in the coming New Year. Fortunes were told and at the end of the night, the hearth fires were relit from the bonfire.

When Rome began occupation of the Celts in 43 AD they included the Festival including Samhain in their own Autumn festivals, one of which honored the dead as well. All Saints Day was established by the church on November 1st about 800 AD and includes many of the old pagan customs. Later the church began to honor the dead on November 2nd which became All Souls Day. On All Souls Day poor people went “a-souling” (or begging) for “soulcakes” in exchange for the promise they pray for the dead.

In Mexico, the Day of the Dead includes traditional rituals which welcome deceased relatives home for the night. A place is set at the table for them, their favorite foods are prepared, and complimentary stories about them are told, all in the hope they will come back and join the family for the evening.

Any way it is viewed historically, the custom of honoring the dead has existed for thousands of years, complete with the belief that souls return to wander the earth! Autumn leaves, the end of summer, Jack-o-lanterns, bobbing for apples, costumes, black cats, and fortune-telling all evolved from these pagan customs. It is amazing that these Celtic rituals, thousands of years old, still continue to flourish today.

*Remember to set the clock back an hour on Saturday evening.

Spiders

With the advent of fall, one notices the influx of spiders lurking about the garden, the rafters of the house and every nook available. They are a most interesting invertebrate in both appearance and habit. All are predators which make them valuable to the gardener as they will eat flies, mosquitoes, grasshoppers, locusts, cockroaches, and aphids. The habits differ among species with some making intricate webs to trap their prey while some lie in wait on flowers and some simply travel about on the ground. Now is the time to see the intricate web of the amazing Orb Weaver whose wonderful web will catch almost any flying insect. Particularly interesting is the way in which she will repair the web, giving it an almost stitch-like appearance.

Spiders are found in every corner of the planet, making them one of the most common invertebrates and they alone have eight legs. True spiders (thin-waisted arachnids) evolved about 400 million years ago, and were among the first species to live on land. There are many references to the spider in popular culture, folklore and symbolism. The spider symbolizes patience for its hunting with web traps, and mischief and malice for its poison and the slow death they cause their prey. Who could forget the pitiful death sequence in the movie 'The Fly'? Though not all spiders spin gossamer webs, spiders have been attributed by numerous cultures with the origin of basket-weaving, knotwork, weaving, spinning, and net making. Lovely pottery artifacts featuring spiders may be found in all ancient cultures, so respect for them is universal.

In any talk of spiders the two most dangerous must be mentioned. All spiders have venom however the Black Widow and Brown Recluse are very dangerous species whose bite may have disastrous results to humans. The Brown Recluse likes living in quiet corners of the house while the Black Widow resides outdoors. The Black Widow makes an untidy web as she is a member of the Tangleweb spiders. She will aggressively guard her egg sac and it is about now that her babies will be born. Both of these spiders have thin legs and a fragile skeletal structure which makes squishing them easy; do not hesitate to kill them.

The spiders which come to mind as favorites are the green jumpers, the garden and wolf spiders, and of course the gentle Tarantula. Many spiders die in one season (as in Charlotte's Web) so enjoyment of them is fleeting. Only the gentle Tarantula lives up to 20 years.

There is an entire psychological phobia named after fear of spiders called Arachnophobia. So popular is this fear that Hollywood chose to make a movie using it as a theme. However, our favorite Hollywood spider, Spider-Man, remains an all time hero.

Fall Container... Kale, Parsley, and Pansies.

In the Garden
By Catherine Dougherty
Fall is a marvelous time to plant a container arrangement. There are many plants that not only survive the cold temperatures, but thrive on it. Among the most colorful is flowering or ornamental Kale.

Kale is among the oldest of the cultivated edible greens and has been a staple in the garden for centuries. A form of cabbage native to the wilderness of North America as well as all of northern Europe, it added a much welcome green and leafy vegetable to dinner tables and soup pots all winter. The ornamental Kale is edible but does not form the tight center ball common in cabbage. The flavor of the leaves becomes sweeter when exposed to frost.

Exceedingly popular today, it arrives at the nursery sporting a multitude of interesting ruffled leaf combinations, from spires to tight rosettes. Kale is round, dense and slow growing, making it a easy to contain. One of it’s most impressive attributes is the fact that the colors deepen as the temperature dips. Meaning the bright white, vivid greens, purple, burgundy, blues and variegated colors become more lovely as the winter deepens.

It should be noted that the most intense color is located at the center of the plant where the outer leaves obstruct them unless they are viewed from directly overhead. With this fact in mind, they may be planted at an angle in the container or on a slight slope in the landscape so they may be appreciated from a distance.

If one adds some parsley, with it’s clear vibrant green and curled leafy texture, the contrast is striking. Parsley is mentioned often throughout history, and not only for its culinary and medicinal properties. The early Greeks made crowns of parsley to bestow upon the winners their athletic games and it is used in the Hebrew celebration of Passover as a symbol of spring and rebirth. It is mentioned as one of the plants in the gardens of Charlemagne and Catherine de Medici. In medieval times parsley was surrounded by much superstition due to the germination of the seeds. One belief claimed that the extremely long germination period existed because they traveled to hell and back seven times before sprouting. Naturally superstitious farmers were afraid to grow it.

Add a sprinkling of low-growing, brightly colored pansies to the outmost edge of the container and the entire ‘arrangement’ will present a composition worthy an Old Master’s painting.

*Note: Unfortunately, all chickens and Peafowl enjoy Kale as a snack
making it impossible to grow if poultry is present.

Today's Tip... Keeping varmits from emerging seedlings

When seedlings begin to emerge lightly sprinkle them with white flour... I use a kitchen sifter. The stark white of the flour, an uncommon sight in nature, startles the birds and rabbits. So much so that they will avoid the seedlings, giving them a chance to grow up with their heads intact. Reapply as necessary.

This theory was tested here using my darling Peacock, Rajah, who is the worst offender since garden snacking is his favorite hobby. He was surprised, cocked his head to the side and one-eyed the white dusting.... then he slowly moved along, disallowing he was nervous. It works!

* Rajah showing off~

The Garden... Saying Goodbye

Today the leaves of the Elm began to fall in golden drifts, gliding to the ground in swirling masses. The maples turned a brilliant crimson and the China Berries began to lose their leaves, showcasing the lovely translucent berries resting in large clusters on their heavy branches. The brilliant scarlet of the lovely Virginia Creeper became clearly visible as it twined about the trunks of trees, climbing high into the uppermost branches. Even the Sumac, growing in every field and bar ditch, has become a gorgeous deep velvet-red this time of year. The leaves are beginning to accumulate on the ground making any walk a sensual pleasure of swishing, crackling sounds. Fall has arrived exactly on schedule and is welcomed by everyone who watches the seasons as they float by each year. The crisp feel of the mornings are incentive to grab a cup of coffee and take a brisk walk in the woods.

It is so lovely this time of year; fall not only ushers in winter, it also has a silence about it that is soothing. The last evenings in the garden are nostalgic and bittersweet with a sadness that the efforts for this year are almost over. The exciting daily rush of expectantly waiting for a certain rose to bloom, the daylilies to flower, or the vegetables to produce is over for the year. It is time for a closure of sorts so plan to grab a sweater some chilly evening soon and sit quietly in the garden. Close your eyes and listen to the final song of the crickets and the whisper of leaves gently falling to the ground. Relax for a bit…and remember to thank your garden for all the joy it brought you; remember to say goodbye.

Planting Pansies

In the Garden
By Catherine Dougherty
This year promises the most lovely Autumn in ages. The crisp mornings are delightful, perfect for outdoor coffee and a leisurely walk to see the glories in the garden. The sunny days are a comfortable temperature and are calm and relaxing after the frenzied rush of summer. The morning glories have reached a zenith, climbing to dazzling heights on and around anything that reaches upward and the mums are delightful to behold. As darkness falls and the cool patters in, night blooming flowers open filling the evening with their sweet scent. The trees have begun to thin and their leaves are drifting, whispering with an almost inaudible rustle as the gently fall. A walk through their ever-accumulating masses is a joy of crunching, swishing sound and motion. Autumn awakens every sense for even the names of the colors are exciting; scarlet, bronze, ruby, burnt sienna, golden cinnamon.

This is the season most favored by many gardeners because of the quietude; it is the time to enjoy the fruits of their labors without hurry. For a brief moment in time there is nothing particularly pressing and now is the time to enjoy all that the garden offered… before it is time to say goodbye.

For the energetic gardener, the precious pansies have begun arriving in the nurseries and it is a wonderful time to plant them. Originally a common viola growing in fields and hedgerows in England they were cultivated by William Richardson, gardener to Lady Mary Elizabeth Bennett I the early 1800’s. Despite his efforts, their first noted appearance was on the estate of James, Lord Gambier. His gardener, William Thompson, began to cross various viola species with a viola tricolor in an effort to achieve a round flower of overlapping petals. In the late 1830s he found by chance a flower that no longer had narrow nectar guides of dark color on the petals but a broad dark blotch instead; from this pansy came the future ‘flowers with a face’. Released to the public in 1839 with the name "Medora," this pansy and its progeny, including "Victoria", rapidly became popular with gardeners and breeders throughout Europe.

If planted now, they will survive nicely over the winter and will have a head start in the spring. Such a cheerful, adorable little flower is always a welcome guest at the garden party and the color options are positively stunning. Their faces are delightful!

Socialize health Care!

How in the name of common sense (if perchance it still exists) could an insurance industry be based on illness? Insurance is based on Actuary Tables. For example with home insurance, everyone who buys a policy pays 'in' but not everyone will have a home disaster. Actuary Tables say so. Thus the money paid 'in' will cover the losses of the nominal group who have had a disaster. How could any Actuary Tables possibly conclude that industry involvement in health care presents viable risk factors when literally everyone will process a claim? It makes no sense. If you have insurance you have a ’health agent’ who is nothing more than a paper-shuffling middleman who should be dumped. Less cost right there.

Obviously I really don’t think the Insurance Industry should be in charge of Health Care any more than I think the Food Industry should be in charge of it. Although the food industry does seem to keep the shelves stocked. (Maybe put them in charge, they do a good job.) Why is an industry in charge of our national health care in the first place? With significant change will another corrupt giant (like the Housing Industry) come crashing down and is that fear the reason all the suggested reform protects the Industry?

People in all of the industrialized world, except us, have health insurance but it is not a for profit industry! Here our not-for-profit health care, Medicare and Medicaid, cost 3% to process claims. However it costs 33% to process an insurance claim because investors must get their share first. Socialize the whole thing IMO... there I've said it.

I don’t have insurance anymore and am not yet old enough to qualify for the socialized government program. My (rarely used) insurance (Blue Cross/Shield) premiums continued to rise as the children left coverage. It was $225 in 1986 for 8 of us and ended up costing $880 a month with A $5,000 deductible for two healthy (knock on wood) adults. Unaffordable. As I was negotiating a lower premium, after my agent’s assurances everything was ’on hold’ until we reached an agreement, they cancelled us; I had missed the payment after 22 years of prompt payments. So we are now among the uninsured.

Hipe has made people afraid and televised programs promoting the latest medical panic are not helping allay the fear of illness driving most people to the doctor; this fear overburdens the system. Consequently I think advertising by pharmaceutical companies should not be allowed on TV. ’Ask your doctor for...' is ridiculous. Additionally common sense would suggest that 86 year old Aunt Mary use a cane rather than spend 60,000 taxpayer dollars for her hip replacement. People used to know a cold lasts three days so no need to rush to the doc until the fifth day when the phlegm turns green, a fever begins, and the symptoms increase. Then go to get an antibiotic

Unfortunately many of those who are insured have not a clue what they cost the system by their easy access to care. I know several young people who have full coverage insurance and go to the ER every whip-stitch for gas or anxiety. They were convinced several times last year it was a possible heart attack. With good coverage, the hospital took advantage of them and referred them to six or seven tests, including stress tests, that concluded after $30,000 they had gas... or an anxiety attack. Please folks, take an antacid or half a xanax before rushing to the ER; it costs everyone and perpetuates the problem. And shame on the hospital!

Sadly, my son and daughter-in-law lost a baby in vitro at less than three months. A DNC was necessary but why did it cost $10,000 with their $3,000 deductible? Why was there a $65 towel warming charge when no one asked if she cared if her towel was warm. Why were there other absurd charges... listed among them were expensive blood thinning medications she did not receive. The cost of the procedure was $300 twenty years ago so why has it risen so? Shame on the doctors and hospitals again!

Personally, I knew we were in health trouble when doctors could no longer use their educated discretion and give meds to their patients... suddenly, at the request of government, the police were in the mix. I wondered then why police were making medical decisions, but then they appointed a Drug Czar to explain it all for me. With the police-produced list of dangerous substances paregoric (among many other old and useful drugs) vanished. Banished not by physicians, but by law enforcement. So what I think really worries many objecting to the thought of government intervention is which agency would make what rules and at what public price. Any agency BUT the law enforcement in charge is okay with me. I'll gladly pay the $100-125 a month for universal care the Medicare recipients do... after we get rid of the blood sucking Industry and socialize medicine. Everyone under 65 deserves the same care the elderly recieve, don't we?

Seems everywhere we look someone is dancin’ with the devil in the pale moonlight because common sense apparently died a painful death years ago when corporate giants murdered it for profit.
Stay well.

Crickets

The lovely song of the field cricket is heralded this month and its melodic symphony can be heard everywhere each evening. Fall is the time for cricket mating and the male, who is the only voice of the cricket, is singing to potential sweethearts. Although the female can not sing, she can hear the song through her ears which are located on her front legs just below her knees. A shy and reclusive little insect, the cricket rarely makes a public evening appearance until the urgency of mating begins.

Cricket eggs are deposited in the soil in the autumn, soon after the rains begin. They will rest there until time to hatch in the spring and once they are born, baby crickets hide during the day. They eat in the evenings and enjoy grasses, pieces of grain, wool and their favorite snack… book bindings.

Apparently the darling cricket will sing, mate, then come inside to eat a good pair of wool pants or a book or two before its life cycle ends. In China and Japan, singing crickets are kept as pets in special cages as they are said to bring a household good fortune. Luckily for them, the Asian fabric of choice is silk…not wool!

In the Garden... Dirt.

It is quite possibly the most lovely Autumn in many, many years. Fall is arriving exactly on schedule, ushering in the season in a splendid manner with gentle rains. The rains have come at a perfect time to replenish the sub surface moisture before the freezes and thus insure the winter safety of the garden perennials. Plus they have provided dampness necessary for fabulous fungi, the like of which is rarely seen.
The leaves on the trees are beginning to thin and soothing sunlight is flooding the garden again. The tiny self-sown seedlings are emerging and the mornings have become pleasurable. As the sun travels to the south, fall awakens the gardener’s soul and we begin to emerge from the lull of late summer. Almost overnight the garden becomes a mass of overgrown exuberant flowers and foliage and there is a renewed energy and joyfulness about the raucous displays that have emerged. The flowers blooming in the final days of the growing season have the deepest color and the wildest foliage. It is as though Nature has saved the best for last in order to leave with us the impression of endless possibilities.
When the foliage in your garden begins to thin, it is a good time to check out the places where some plants have not done as well as others and smell the soil. Everyone who gardens knows that soil is alive and the well-being of your plants depends on the nutrients in your soil. When the children were little I took them to the river, the creek, the fields, and the woods to feel and smell the differences in the soil. Healthy soil has a rich distinctive aroma; soil devoid of nutrients looses this all-telling “dirt smell” and will need some help to regain any strength.
The texture of dirt depends upon the mineral content in it. Sand has the largest particles that can be seen, silts are very small and clays are microscopic. To acquaint yourself with the smell of healthy soil, go to a spot in your garden under a tree, dig a trowel full and inhale the aroma....it will smell alive. It has gathered nutrients from the leaves which have fallen and the grass clippings which have been thrown its way. The decomposition which has ensued over time has created a rich, nurturing soil full of nutrients, which is why the forest floor is always occupied. Since no amount of processed fertilizer can add to the garden what decomposing vegetation can add, remember to toss grass clippings and fallen leaves into the flower beds. Over the winter with rains and snow, they will meld into the garden, disintegrate, and replenish the soil while you are not noticing. The timely rains have already begun this process.

The Storm

N.C Wyeth's 'Giant'.... Our Storm Personified



The storm was magnificent lasting from about eight thirty well into the morning today; a good fourteen hours so far. Our last rain was the first of August and we have had triple digit temperatures and a hot, dry thirty mile an hour wind for weeks now; it takes your breath away to walk outside. I have watched with concern as the native grasses of the surrounding countryside became more brittle each day until suddenly I realized it was tinder.



The dry weather leaves had fallen from the trees and were accumulating in crisp piles with the earth beneath them blow-sand and dust. The Black Walnut had begun to cast off her babies prematurely to save her strength, my Pyricantha slowly died and I was worried about my Viburnum when no amount of watering made her perk up. The garden wilted no matter the water applications so the situation had become dire.



Our wildfire season is here and all the rains had gone to the North or the East so hope was fading. Last evening I decided to take action as the radar showed the possibility of rain coming to us was diminishing. I called all my children and told them to give shots of Whiskey to the Four Winds, honoring their power and asking them to send rain. This time I purposefully did not remind them to ask the Winds for mercy… I wanted a storm. I told Michael to get busy doing whatever he felt was necessary to get us some rain! Out came the Maker’s Mark, a favorite by any standards and much more appeasing than Jack Daniels. (We all know the effects of Jack and who wants the Winds to act accordingly?) A shot to the West, the South, the East and the North Winds.



Within minutes the radar showed a shift in the storms and my heart began racing...they were coming! Peter called to say the radar in his tractor had suddenly shown a huge storm; he was rushing out of the fields to home. We took the car to the shop, then I gathered all lawn furniture cushions that I usually race about trying to keep dry and arranged them in a circular pattern… I sacrificed them, not caring if they were ruined. More Maker’s Mark and the Winds began whispering to the trees a storm was coming... they began dancing a tandem waltz. Their waltz became a madcap of twirling as in a whipping frenzy the Winds made their grande entrance!
  

The storm arrived with lightning flashes that lit the sky, claps of thunder like explosions, hail and driving horizontal downpours. The winds quickly escalated to over 100 miles per hour and the power died. Through the darkness and the blazing lightning, various lawn items could be seen flying past the window and we were ecstatic! A bit more Maker’s Mark maybe… for us.



The blackness of the night, the silence of the house without electricity, the phones dead making communication impossible, the velocity of the storm visible only through the flashes of lightning… it was amazing! Over four inches of rain… my forest floor is finally saturated, my world is saved. In retrospect Michael thought perhaps he should have given shots to just Two Winds rather than all Four of them. Perhaps gathering them all was a mistake...  ah well.

Outdoor Thermometers... Antique and New

In the Garden...Outdoor Thermometers
*The one to the right was my Grandmother's from the 1930's.

All gardeners use the tools of our trade. Trowels, spades, hoes, rakes, wheelbarrows aside, many gardeners become somewhat obsessed with measurement. Soil conditions, moisture levels, and above all the outdoor temperature become paramount. The rain gauge and thermometer are necessary for all garden décors for the simple pleasures they provide.

Tools for measurement of temperature, first called thermoscopes, have existed since the mid-1500’s with Santorio the first inventor to place a numerical scale on the object. In 1714 we have Gabriel Fahrenheit to thank for his invention of the first mercury thermometer and our current temperature scale which bears his name.

Fascination with temperature has always existed however with the advent of promoted product advertising, their mass production reached a fever pitch. By the early twentieth century thermometers embossed with a business logo were given as gifts to patrons of insurance companies, lumber yards, mills, dry goods stores, gas companies, coffee brands, sodas and practically any business imagined. The variety and quality of these items range from expensive wood with beveled glass, to brightly painted pressed tin, and even to inexpensive plastic.

The shere breadth of this range indicates that prior to television, individuals took it upon themselves to check the weather and did so with a passion. So popular was this mass produced advertising tool that entire price books for the surviving artifacts have been published placing the value from a few to literally hundreds of dollars. Surprisingly, there is a National Vintage Thermometer Club! Practically every yard, barn, farm house, or garage still has one of these vintage items placed strategically in a corner so perhaps seek it out and find its true value. Possibly it deserves more respect than it is getting.

Today modern technology has ushered in every sort of temperature measuring device ranging in price from economical to expensive. Decorative, utilitarian, fun or frivolous, electric or digital and even indoor-outdoor combinations are available, making the game of checking the temperature easier than possibly imagined. With simple outdoor weather gauges placed in strategic places about the yard, hours of enjoyment are available if one is willing to dash from sun to shade, road to path, garden to lawn making a mental note of the temperature differences in those areas. Have fun!

In the Chicken House... a little rough in there!

Collecting Seeds

The heat everywhere has been insufferable for over a week now. The conditions in the garden are less than perfect with much of the July rains allowing for abnormal growth followed by the typical August heat. The combination of the two has created leggy yet dry and wilting flowers. The more growth in the garden, the more it requires watering and the quicker it dries out.

Many of the flowers in the garden are seeding now so it is an ideal time to collect seeds for saving and sharing with other gardeners. The importance of collecting ands saving seeds must not be underestimated for many species of plants have been lost over time. Also the seeds of flowers that have acclimated in your garden this year will fare better next for they created a DNA memory of the conditions where they resided. Collect seeds when the sun has dried all the morning dew, which is mid-morning of late, and store them in a zip lock bag. Remember to keep the seeds at a constant temperature above freezing for optimum results.

When the great pyramids were opened, archaeologists discovered caches of seeds among other artifacts. Upon planting some of these seeds, stored for thousands of years, germinated primarily because of the dry and warm temperature conditions within the pyramids where they were stored. There is also an amazing report of lupine (Lupinus articicus) seeds over 10,000 years old sprouting as well. Discovered in the Yukon of Alaska they were found deep within the burrows of ancient lemmings buried in permafrost silt dating to the Pleistocene epoch. The tenacity of Nature’s plan is always inspiring.

However many of our heirloom varieties of seeds have been lost over time, and sometimes purposefully. From ancient times through the Greco/Roman days there existed many plant species that effectively acted as natural birth control. Although always a subject of religious discussion, birth control had been left in the hands of women and their midwives until medieval times when authority over it was suddenly was transferred to the church and male doctors of the day. Within decades of the 1869 Edict of Pope Pius IX outlawing birth control for Catholics, most of the species of these plants had become extinct. In effect, one set of seeds had been replaced by another.

Although it is terribly hot and humid, collecting and storing seeds is a way to preserve this year’s garden…so that it may be carried forth to the next.

House Wrens

In the Garden.... House Wrens
By Catherine Dougherty
Sometimes it is delightful to see August arrive for now is the time to venture out and look for the darling House Wren who has possibly made her nest in some odd place nearby. They come here in the spring with the male signaling his arrival with an almost incessant stream of burbles, warbles, buzzes and rattling churrs. Native Americans called this bird o-du-na-mis-sug-ud-da-we-shi, meaning ‘making a big noise for its size’. They are considered a songbird even though their wonderful song is heard only during the nesting season and rarely afterwards. Since the diet of the House Wren consists almost entirely of insects, spiders, snails, flies, ticks, plant lice, gypsy moth larvae, ants, bees, beetles, and grasshoppers they are a valuable asset to the gardener for natural control of pests.

As indicated by their common name, they are intensely interested in humans and often nest where they receive attention. They will make a cup sized nest of various materials including string and pieces of plastic and sit on three to seven creamy white eggs. They famously choose unusual sites for their nests, including door wreaths, lamp posts, garage shelving, and even old shoes. Both parents will raise their young and the family will leave here for winter quarters in Mexico by early October.

Small and overly confident, the brown House Wren is extremely territorial and will make efforts to destroy the nest of competitive birds. It is said they will occasionally destroy the eggs of other birds by breaking the egg shell. They have also been known to vandalize the cavity of other bird nests by placing sharp sticks in them therefore rendering them unusable. To encourage this valuable little bird to nest in your garden, boxes with a hole small enough to prevent competitive cavity nesters is an option.

When their sociable behavior is added to their abilities to control pests, it is no wonder this dear little bird is among the all time American favorites. The photo, taken by John Dougherty Monday evening, shows the little Wren nesting in his porch plant! Adorable!

Fresh Vegetables~

August has arrived with traditional heat, making it the most enjoyable month for cookouts and lake side activities. The vegetable gardens are at their zenith so now is the time to eat all the fresh produce available... your body will be grateful for the cleansing. Since most vegetables are 70% to 90% water, they are also a perfect way to loose unwanted pounds. If you do not have your own garden, there are many Farmers Markets where you can purchase home-grown produce. Supporting local vegetable growers should be a civic duty lest they stop planting and harvesting for us.

This is the time of year that the back yard grill is the best place to cook dinner. Squash, corn, and tomatoes are making their appearance in the garden. Since squash is such an over achiever, it is always a challenge to find new ways to prepare it so this year we’ve grilled it after dipping it in butter. Once it becomes slightly crisp, remove it from the fire and sprinkle it with Parmesan cheese. In fact corn is also easily grilled if wrapped in foil first.

Remember the shish-kebobs that were popular in the 1970’s? They still sell the little wooden skewers at the grocery store quite inexpensively. A collection from the garden can be arranged and grilled with the addition of your choice of meat. Onions, peppers, little new potatoes, cherry tomatoes, and squash, with a little pineapple added for additional flavor, make a wonderful dinner and will not heat up the kitchen.

My parent’s favorite marinade makes any meat choice tasty. They mixed ½ cup red wine, 1 tsp. Worcestershire Sauce, 1 clove garlic (pressed), ½ cup salad oil, ½ tsp. salt, 2 tbs. Ketchup, 1 tbs. sugar, 1 tbs. Vinegar, and ½ tsp cut Rosemary. Then they added any meat cut into squares and let it marinate for several hours. Even inexpensive cuts of beef become tender and delicious when allowed to soak up this combination of flavors.

Alternate the meat with the vegetables on the skewer, broil while turning frequently and basting with the leftover marinade. Not only is this a delicious and complete outdoor meal, but it is also fun if you allow individuals to assemble their own skewer in the combinations of their choice. Plus cleanup is easy; toss the skewers!

Hostas

In the Garden
By Catherine Dougherty
The blessed relief from the heat dome and the ensuing showers have given the garden a reprieve this year. It is not often that the arrival of August is met with cloud cover and it is much appreciated by anyone who is playing outdoors, with the exception of sports enthusiasts. Following the insufferable heat it is advisable to reconsider the value of shade and in doing so, the value of shade loving perennials. The choice is limitless and the joys of gardening in the shade obvious.

First of course are the lovely and extremely popular Hostas, which are possibly the most important perennial in the garden. Originally from the Orient, they arrived in Europe in the 1700’s to abide in royal gardens, coming to the United States in the mid 1800’s. With over 2,500 cultivars on the market today, they may be found in any size or variation one desires and their spectacular foliage is beyond compare. The Hosta has gained in popularity until the more common varieties are now readily available in garden centers. However the rare or newly introduced Hosta must still be ordered at a specialty nurseries. (Note: Cultivars are "cultivated varieties" that have been developed for some desirable or improved feature such as plant form, size, bloom, leaf color, variegation, pest resistance, etc.)

The rule for planting is that those with green or yellow on their leaves may tolerate more sun than those with bluish foliage. However if the leaves begin to have burn on them, they must be moved to deeper shade. For bluish foliage, the Blue Mammoth is a fantastic addition. The Blue Mammoth is unique in that the deeper the shade, the bluer the giant corrugated leaves become. It grows to a breadth of over six feet with a height of a full 36 inches so it must be given plenty of room. The large white bell-shaped flowers appear on strong spikes in summer making this one extravagant and show stopping addition to the garden. In spite of the initial expense of ordering a rare Hosta it should be noted since they divide easily, the gardener is allowed to have many for the initial price of a single plant.

The Hosta is very low maintenance and will provide lovely lasting color for many years. They may be planted with bright annuals such as impatients, begonias, and coleus to create an inviting and attractive shady bed.

Photo is of a shady mixture of Hostas, Caladiums, a Lily, Begonias, and to the far right is Comfrey.

Amaryllis Belladonna

Has anyone noticed the rain managed to beat the garden to death? Granted it was welcome, but does it have to have a velocity that pounds the good soil to well below the blow sand? The trusty hoe and garden tiller are the best tools of the trade for this week as it will take quite an effort to invigorate the flattened and hardened crust left behind by last week’s rain.

The lovely Amaryllis Belladonna has made her arrival at the garden party this week. Commonly called ‘Naked Ladies they appear from a leafless base and are also called ‘Surprise Flowers’ for their overnight appearance in the garden from a barren spot. The stunning Naked Lady comes from a clump forming bulb. Each year the bulb will increase in size and the flowers will appear at the outermost edge so over the years one bulb becomes a mass of exquisite flowers. 

The foliage appears in the garden in the very early spring and looks at first like jonquil leaves. Very soon however the foliage out-grows everything around it and begins to collapse early in the season requiring binding or staking to keep it from overshadowing its neighbors. The foliage dies away and is easily removed as debris by late May. The spot in the garden now appears quite bare until mid-July when suddenly the flowers begin to appear.

A tall sturdy stem supports a mass of with six to twelve flowers which have a heady and intoxicating fragrance. This wonderful plant seems undisturbed by severe growing conditions and will bloom faithfully in shade or sun regardless of the heat. The ease of these ‘Ladies’ growing habits makes even a novice gardener joyful and will add beauty and grace to any garden setting. Often planted with Shasta daisies to cover the bare base, they bloom at the same time allowing for a visual garden bouquet.

As with so many of our lovely flowers this one is originally from South America where it grows in wild abandon in dry and dusty sites.   
   
Mine arrived in my garden quite by accident. When my father died in July of 1994. I was distraught and could not be comforted. I was walking in my garden the day after his funeral when miraculously before my eyes was the most beautiful flower I had ever seen. It was the first of 12 Naked Ladies to arrive, one each day for 12 days, each in an odd place in my garden. Since no one planted them my family has long been convinced my father sent them to me. These flowers will always seem special to me and each time I see them I think of my father and thank him for sending them to me.

Thoughts on Death and Dying

Thoughts on Death and Dying

I was very ill as a young girl and died at one point when I was twelve. As I died, I was lifted, floating upwards. I saw my bed with my body in it as small as a match box, my parents on either side of it weeping. I felt no pain and there was a lightness about me as I went higher and higher until I was called back by my parents. Suddenly, I was back in my body to fulfill my life’s destiny.

Michael had undiagnosed peritonitis years ago when our children were young. Surgery had been delayed and his chances of survival were less than 2%. As he lay there, hearing all that was said in his conscious/unconscious presence, he felt no pain but could hear his moans. He knew that passing over would be such a small step. He could hear my voice asking him not to leave and in the darkness of the second night I saw a shimmering blue/white light appear and slowly travel up his body. It was the holy light of healing so he was able to come back and fulfill his life’s destiny.

A few years ago I attended a 49, the Cheyenne ceremonies honoring the living warriors who returned from battle. As the evening deepened and the drum beat mesmerized, I had a trance-like vision and my astral body traveled beyond the building, beyond the forest, the mountains, the sky and further still into the universe. Along the path, I heard the drum beat, which echoed my heartbeat, which echoed the heartbeat of all of it... a continuum which connects all things. I saw it all with awe and when I came back I felt peace, perfect peace, for three days. I have never felt such an emotion as I did then.

I have not been afraid to die since that time for I know that the energy that is “us” unites with the universal energy of the whole. It is so far beyond earthly imagination of a heaven with golden streets or unification with loved ones. None of those human emotions are necessary... for uniting with the whole of everything is beyond earthly comprehension.

Point being: Death is not some awful unknown to be feared, it is part of the journey… and it is such a small step over.

A Reckoning

A Reckoning

I believe that the planet is in distress because all of the spiritual ’points’ on it have been compromised. I always believed that there were special places that kept the planet in order. The meanings of the Eqyptian Pyramids, the Inca’s Machu Picchu, and Stonehedge have been lost. Nepal and the Acoma Mesa have been compromised and gambling is set up in those locations. Could the source of the natural disasters we are seeing be that the healing, guiding ’points’ of balance are gone? The Hopi believed that mankind’s thoughts and actions balanced the planet, but I think it was possibly these points.

The planet is a living being. Just like any entity, its health depends upon every part working in harmony. Disrupt that harmony and you have sickness. I believe the Ancients understood this and many of the astonishing works they created were placed at sensitive parts of the planet to channel the energy of the sun and moon for the benefit and well being of Mother Earth. Caring for the earth that gave of her bounty to sustain human life was the first and overriding duty of mankind.
And of course the earth was tangible. People could see and feel when the planet was out of harmony and made efforts to do something to correct this imbalance. But as the human race grew in intellect and complexity, they looked for something even more complex and inexplicable to worship and ceased to care for Mother Earth through the ancient sites.

They came up with God. God, an overarching, all embracing entity that encompasses all things, all worlds, all universes is not a singularity. Our planet is part of God. Standing in a church or mosque singing praises to an ultimate being is not the way to worship. First and foremost we should worship by caring for the planet on which we live.

Sadly, the world has lost sight of this in the dogma, bureaucracy and self interest of modern religions. Add to this the selfish, money orientated society in which we live and you have an impossible situation. Are we at the edge of apocalypse? Will Mother Earth no longer stand for the injuries inflicted on her…the taking of everything and giving nothing back? Possibly we are due a reckoning.

To Everyone Enduring Life Under the Heat Dome.

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Dining in the Garden

In the Garden
By Catherine Dougherty
High summer in the garden is the perfect place to dine. If one remembers to brush a little catnip over exposed skin, the mosquitoes will not be a bother for the entire evening and there is nothing quite as magical as this time of year. Besides the plus of gathering with friends while the sun sets and the frogs and crickets begin their song, collecting from the garden to prepare a meal is a joyful experience.
Like the proverbial Easter egg hunt, searching the garden then planning the menu can depend on what can be found just outside. A summer menu may consist of freshly picked green beans, snapped and cooked, simmered to a perfection. Corn may wrapped in foil and cooked on the grill. Squash may be steamed or sliced, bushed with butter, broiled and sprinkled with a dusting of Parmesian cheese for zing. Glazed carrots, a salad using your own tomatoes and cucumbers, and potatoes cooked with rosemary are wonderful with grilled chicken or beef.
The new potatoes are still being harvested now so dig a batch and enjoy their delicious flavor. Wash them then cut in quarters. Add a handful of fresh Rosemary, a thinly sliced large onion, salt, pepper, and toss with a stick of butter. Cover the whole mess with foil to bake for an hour.
Latvian salad, aptly named for Olga Prancan who introduced it, is delicious! Freshly picked cucumbers, unpeeled and quartered then sliced to bite size are added to tomatoes, thinly sliced and diced onions or scallions, all of which is liberally sprinkled with fresh dill. Add sour cream then allow it an hour to chill before serving. Collect then slice carrots very thinly, about pencil sized. Cook until they are still firm but done, drain and then glazed with a stick (or two) of diced butter and a handful of brown sugar, all of which is tossed about. Guaranteed anyone who hates vegetables will find them irresistible. The two sticks of melted butter in the above recipes are not an issue when one realizes the produce is so ultimately fat free!
After collecting the fresh produce, the herbs, and grilling the meat, it is delightful to sit back and enjoy a delightful summer evening. The obvious delight of all of the guests who receive such a fresh and healthful culinary treat is worth the effort.

The Magical Cicada~

In the Garden
By Catherine Dougherty
Last week we experienced the usual late July weather in a rush of heat. We have been spoiled by the unusually cool spring so the heat came as a sudden surprise. On about the third day, the humidity had burned off making the oven-like temperatures a slow bake rather than a sauna~ better by far. The slugs were miserable and the baby grasshoppers, who like it hot and dry, emerged in droves.
The magical Cicadas began their melodic songs, foretelling of temperatures over ninety degrees for the day. There are 2,500 species of Cicadas and they exist on every Continent except Antarctica. Their name is a direct derivation of the Latin cicada, meaning "buzzer" and their remarkable song is actually produced by the males calling to the ladies. On Friday evening listening to the songs was a delightful concert and one could hear the differences in the singers. Several sang decidedly distinct with longer and more masculine compositions than the others; one may assume they were the ‘rock stars’ of the evening, drawing throngs of female fans. For their song, the Cicada is a favorite by universal standards.
There is amazing folklore surrounding this marvelous insect. Jean de La Fontaine (1621-1695) wrote a series of famous fables for the pleasure of the court and one was about the Cicada. Much like Aesop’s ‘Grasshopper and the Ant’, the Cicada is gadding about as the ants work, which is much to his dismay as winter arrives and he does not survive. The Cicada is portrayed in Japanese literature, and Japanese Haiku poetry. More significantly, the Chinese considered the Cicada of import even using the phrase ‘shed off the golden cicada skin’ as an example of a strategic tactic to avoid enemies. Mentioned as one of the Thirty-Six Stratagems used by generals, the Cicada leaves the shell behind to deceive enemies as the body itself escapes danger. The Chinese novel Journey to the West (published 1590) is one of China’s four great classical novels. It has remained popular for centuries possibly due to it’s interesting story line of adventure, transformation, and symbolism. In it one of the journeying characters, the Priest of Tang, is named the Golden Cicada with the shedding of the skins symbolic of stages of transformation as he evolves to enlightenment.
As one sits to listens to the concerts, picking out the rock stars; as one recalls finding the shells as a child, storing the collection in a box under the bed; as one marvels at an insect that can foretell the temperature… it is indeed awe-inspiring and we are able to sit back and rejoice in what the Master Plan has provided as entertainment in our own back yards.

Vegetables~

By Catherine Dougherty
As Summer appraoches, we no doubt will be warned about tainted produce again. Recall last year the tomatoes were apparently poisonous, causing severe illness. As gardeners know, vegetables picked or pulled from the ground have been subject to the elements and the soil. What your plants utilize from the soil goes directly into what they produce. For this reason, producers of the past were careful of what they applied to their crops. With the spinach recall of 2006, the culprit was finally assigned as hogs and rightly so... religious texts are full of references to the uncleanliness of hogs. Hog manure is notoriously full of parasites that are easily transmissible to humans and the fact that religious sources warned of this two thousand years ago is amazing. Further, additional cautions include bacterial cross contamination of dairy and animal products and many texts include specific guidelines for healthy cooking which are still timely today.
Years ago a friend whose father had been a diplomat to Pakistan told me of the produce warning issued them by the State Department. They were told not to eat the fruit as it contained soil contaminates which traveled up the tree and were stored within the fruit itself. Today with international trade open and much of our produce arriving from nations with few restrictions and open sewers, a refresher course in basic cleanliness is due.
Today, as in biblical times, we are warned not to use the same cutting board for meat and vegetables. Cooking kills much of the bacteria naturally occurring on meat but may be transferred to raw produce. We are encouraged to wash our hands between preparation of raw meat and vegetables as well. Wash the counter often and women are encouraged not to place their purses on the counter as purses are notoriously filthy on the bottom.
Dr. Spock removed ‘Commonsense’ from the title of his famous 1946 baby book in 1985, claiming that commonsense had died. Individuals who use fresh produce must use commonsense and assume it is dirty upon arrival in their home. Many imagine that produce collected from the supermarket has miraculously been washed and sanitized before shipment. This thought is a fallacy. While watching a television special on fresh produce I noted workers were packaging strawberries in the plastic containers that arrive in the market while collecting in the field. Meaning that the strawberries arrive at the supermarket with whatever the worker had on his hands at the moment, and hopefully he did not have an illness. Additionally as I watched a televsion cooking show, I noted the lady making the luscious cake did not wash either the strawberries or the blueberries she put between luscious layers of whipped cream.
Short of planting your own garden, I recommend buying locally. Additionally remember that all produce such as lettuce, tomatoes, squash and the like must be carefully washed. Onions must be peeled, celery and potatoes scrubbed with a vegetable brush, and so forth. With a little effort fresh garden produce may be confidently eaten and enjoyed for its wonderful health benefits.

Gardening as Exercise

By Catherine Dougherty
As a hobby, gardening ranks among the most popular activities with an astonishing 94% of Americans claiming it. The fact it burns calories and works muscles makes it a perfect low impact workout. As more and more Americans rush to the gym seeking health through exercise, the gardener simply needs to step outside the back door. Weeding or cultivating can burn 200 calories an hour, while hauling rocks can burn as many as 600. Turning compost is essentially the equivalent of lifting weights. Pushing the mower is the outdoor treadmill and raking is the gardener’s rowing machine. Our exercise machines are trowels, rakes, shovels, clippers, and wheelbarrows; our running track is the garden. And when compared to the sweaty filth accumulating in a modern gym, dirt seems miraculously clean.
Not only will gardening build strength, but it uses literally all of the major muscle groups. It brings cardiovascular benefits and several studies have suggested that gardening could reduce insulin resistance, a condition that may lead to metabolic syndrome or diabetes, both of which increase the risk of heart disease. Only 30 minutes a day in the garden will lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels and will prevent or slow osteoporosis.
As with all exercise, it is important to begin slowly and it does seem, rather appropriately, chores in the garden seem to increase in intensity as the season progresses. In a study of heart attack risk assessment using 21,000 male Harvard alumni, it was reported that sedentary individuals had a 100 times greater chance of suffering a heart attack during strenuous activity than individuals who exercise moderately several times a week. The active men, whose chance of a heart attack increased only 2.4 times during strenuous activity, listed gardening as their major form of exercise.
Everyone from small children to senior citizens may enjoy activities in the garden so it is a perfect family activity. It is claimed that the sensory pleasure of scented and colorful flowers reduces stress. The psychological benefits are valuable as well. Not only does one have the joy of producing fresh and healthful produce for the table, but the sense of accomplishment is quite fulfilling in itself. At the end of the day sit quietly and listen to the relaxing sound of a trickle of water in a pond, the magic of wind chimes in an evening breeze, and relax with the serene feeling of a deed well accomplished. The garden is the best kept health secret on the planet.

In the Garden... Lilies

The rains have made the garden fantastic with exception of rampant wood louse (rolly-pollies) and slugs. It is said that a coaster of beer will call to the slugs and promptly kill them. It must be noted as well that many of the wood louse have evolved from battleship gray to a lovely hue of sapphire blue… eating Miracle Grow perhaps? The garden is full of anomalies if one makes note of them.
The Queen of early summer, the lovely Lily, has begun her entrance at the garden party. Some are blooming as others have buds that are swelling; they will be in full and glorious bloom in several weeks. The varieties available now are truly spectacular and come in ranges of color and form that far exceed the traditional white Easter lily of your Grandmother’s garden. Hybridization has given us a memorable gift with the improvements. The lily is of the largest and most important plant families, dating back as far as botanical recordings. Of the 2,000 species, there are 12 which are native to North America. The Meadow Lily, the Southern Red Lily, the Leopard Lily, the Wood Lily, and Sierra Lily all grow within the bounds of our nation in shaded woodland settings. The trumpet-shaped blooms made up of six parts, are held upright on sturdy stems. The roots of the lily spread from the central bulb and form new bulbs, making them a perfect naturalized species if allowed enough room to travel.
The Chinese and Japanese lilies have spectacular form and scent and bring elegance to the early summer garden. The flowers come in a full spectrum of color and shape, some with nodding heads, some upright, and others with the lovely turkscap form of recurving leaves. Among these jewels are the Stargazer, Amber Gold, Black Magic and the lovely L. martagon with its back-curved pinkish blooms. Lilies make lovely cut flowers in an arrangement and will fill the room with their spicy aroma.
The plants which we call water Lilies are not of the lily family at all, but are of a genus unto themselves. They too are in full bloom in water gardens everywhere. They project a serene classic beauty with their deep green and glossy plate-like foliage and ethereal blossoms floating on the water. Their leaves provide shelter for fish and help reduce the spread of algae in the pond. Watching and waiting for the bloom of water lilies to open is always exciting and thrilling for the gardener who has cultivated these lovely plants.
Summer appears to have arrived, ushered in this week following the most lovely spring in ages.