A Couple of Offbeat Garden Books

I received 2 books on Mother's Day with connections to the garden that I have quite enjoyed. Neither one was a typical gardening book of the "plant this here" variety. Each took its own tangent, which led to some delightful discoveries.

An Eye on the Sparrow, by Sally Roth

4 stars: An in-depth look at all the birds mentioned in the Bible and why they would have been the ones included. I found it completely fascinating!


I really like Sally Roth's bird books, and this one has been on my Amazon wish list for practically ever. I don't know why I haven't just broken down and bought it before now, but hey--I was very happy to see it as a gift, so hooray! I have her book The Backyard Bird Lover's Field Guide, already, which I also highly recommend.

At its core this is a bird book, but it is quite unique. It's all about the birds mentioned in the Bible, and why those birds in particular would have been used either to illustrate a point or in their specific roles in the various stories.

This was just so intriguing to me. Roth is not even Christian, but she loves birds and knows an awful lot about their behavior. For this book, she went through the Bible and pulled out every reference to birds, then looked at it from a biological viewpoint. For instance, why would it have been a raven that fed the prophet Elijah during the famine?  Why are cormorants and bitterns mentioned in relation to the destruction of Israel? What type of dove would it have been that Noah released from the ark?

One thing I really appreciated, aside from the insights about the birds, was that she wasn't out to prove or disprove the Bible itself. She let the stories and verses stand as written, and mostly just focused in on the birds. Many of the birds mentioned have counterparts here in North America and she relates the differences between the ones we're familiar with and the Middle Eastern species, along with many other tidbits. Like I said. Just fascinating!

I will say that it's probably better as one to dip into here and there. I read it straight through and some parts got a little repetitive, as one verse mentioned several birds with similar traits.

I have already told several people about this one. Now I just have to decide if I'm willing to lend it out or not!

(Finished reading May 11.)

Gardens of Awe and Folly: A Traveler's Journal on the Meaning of Life and Gardening, by Vivian Swift

4 stars: A book to savor and get lost in.


First off, this is just a beautiful book. The watercolor illustrations are exquisite. Every page has at least one illustration and most pages have several. The entire book was typeset by hand by the author. It does have the feel of peeking into a gifted artist's journal, complete with scenes real and imagined, little maps, sketches and doodles.

In her very brief introduction, Swift explains that if all you ask of a garden is "What?" then all you're going to get is planting list. It's by asking other questions that you begin a conversation, and that's what this book is--conversations with 9 very different gardens from vastly different places. Four are located stateside, 2 in England, 1 in Paris, 1 in Brazil, and 1 in Morocco. Each garden serves a different person and is completely different in design.

By the way, you should know that she has a whole section called "Why Native Plant Societies Are Barking Up the Wrong Tree," with quotes and illustrations to make her point. She hammers it pretty hard, without so much as a mention to the opposing view. So if you feel pretty strongly about your native plants, you may get very angry and throw the book--as apparently some other reviewers on Amazon did.  I am moderate in my opinions on this subject, so her views didn't bother me and I actually thought the quotes were quite interesting. Just a heads-up, because I know it can be a heated topic!

She's also pretty much anti-Japanese garden for anywhere but Japan. In fact, she's not too keen on the Japanese ideal garden in any place. Though I do not share her dislike for this type of gardening, it didn't ruin the book for me or anything. I think there's plenty of room in the gardening world for both viewpoints. As much room as your own backyard, in fact. So go forth and garden how you please! (And so will I.)

Anyway, this was like a meandering stroll through lovely gardens, with a good friend by my side telling me interesting stories. Highly enjoyable.

I've got another one of hers on my wishlist now!

(Finished reading May 8.)

Do you keep a journal? Or wander through gardens talking to yourself? :)
Which of these two would you be most likely to pick up?

May Bloom Day

Hello and welcome to my garden!

I am in Eastern Washington state, USA, zone 5b.

We have had some spring rain this weekend and everything has been looking refreshed and vibrant. 

We'll start out front.

This little snowball bush is just loaded, as usual.

My kids love to pick the blooms and make it snow in the grass!

On the middle terrace:

After days of anticipation, this peony finally bloomed!

These poor columbine are about getting taken over by the lamb's ears.

The tulips in the background have faded from hot pink to very pretty pale pink and rose.

'Rose Queen' salvia

This little pink salvia has spread all through my flowerbeds out front.

I don't mind, mostly. It's easy to pull up where it's not wanted.

Columbine, sorbaria, nepeta (catmint)

I showed my kiddos how to suck out the nectar from the columbine spurs--maybe I shouldn't have done it. It has become the new favorite outside snack.

Good thing this is good-sized clump!

There's lettuce and spinach to eat in the garden, so I'm pushing them that direction now.

I would like to have at least a few of the flowers left to look at!

Down to the bottom terrace (everything is terraces around here!):

Cheerful buttercup-yellow blooms on the potentilla.

I'm glad the alliums are long-lasting.

The irises just started blooming over the weekend.

On the East-side terrace:

buddleia

Backyard:

  

Thyme in bloom up in the vegetable garden.

Yes, that thistle should be weeded out.

That's where I'm headed after it stops raining!

wild lupines up on the back slope

Back flowerbed:

 

My 'Abraham Darby' rose.

I am enjoying this rose so much!

 All their heads are droopy with the rain, but there are roses, peonies, and penstemon here.

Happy Bloom Day friends!

I'm linking up with Carol over at May Dreams Gardens. Head over there to see what else is blooming around the world!

Perpetual Chore List--Late Spring Edition

As always, there is much to do outside this time of year.

I'm happy to report that I completed nearly everything from my first Perpetual Chore List of the year.

What didn't get done from that has been moved to this new list.

So, without further ado:

1. Reclaim the shade bed!

Here it is in its former glory:

I'm about 1/3 of the way done with this beastly project. You see, I had a lovely little shade bed with a few things growing and coming back consistently. Then last summer happened. We did a lot of work on the shed, which meant that the back walkway was virtually impassable. Nothing got watered--it was a construction zone.

I'll post before and after pics once I'm done.

Spoiler alert: the hostas in the above picture didn't make it.

2. Take care of my houseplants.

I mean, really. It's got to be done sometime.

Probably watering everything would be a good start.

The asparagus fern that I brought inside for the winter is now back outside, but needs to be repotted.

I bought some cyclamen about a month ago to replace some of my other dying houseplants, so I need to get those potted as well.

3. Still haven't gotten that bird bath scrubbed out.

I've decided first I need to make a run to the Dollar Store for a designated scrub-brush.

Remembering to actually do that has been holding up the train a bit on that one.

4. Weed veg garden, till, and plant potatoes, tomatoes, and the rest.

This is called "chitting" the seed potatoes.

Basically, you let the roots grow a bit before planting them.

YES, I'm putting in summer stuff now--I'm hoping by the end of the week.

Crazy talk! I usually wait until after Memorial Day.

However, our spring is at least 2-3 weeks ahead of "normal" weather patterns for this time of year. I'll have to keep a close eye on night temperatures and cover things if it's going to freeze, but we haven't had a frost in over a month now, so I'm optimistic.

5. Purchase plants and put together flower pots for porch, decks, etc.

Yay! This one is always fun!

6. Weed and add compost to strawberries and raspberries.

We've got a lot of blossoms on these plants!

7. Mulch shed bed and back flowerbed.

8. Fill in empty spaces in flowerbeds and around mailbox with annuals.

But No Elephants, by Jerry Smath

But No Elephants, by Jerry Smath

Grandma Tildy lives alone and works hard. Then the pet man comes around, selling animals. She buys a canary and is very pleased when the canary helps by singing to her as she cooks.

Before long, all sorts of animals have found their way into her life, but she always says "But no elephants!" Until one day, she lets one in.

* * * * * *

Let's hear it for a sentimental favorite! The only place I remember reading this book as a child was at the dentist office. I read it every time we went there, and looked forward to the trips simply because of this book! I was excited when I found it on Amazon a few months ago. Then guess what showed up on Mother's Day? My husband knows me well! :)

Happily, this one book from childhood that stood up to my memory of it. As a parent, I appreciate how the animals each figure out a way to contribute to the family--even the elephant, eventually. The illustrations are full of humorous details. The story begs to be read more than once.

Even better, my kids like it, too. We have already read it several times since Sunday!

What are some of your childhood favorites? Any from the dental office of your youth? :)

How to Divide Irises

Irises are so elegant.

They remind me of my grandparents.

My one grandpa used to call them "flags," and kept a small patch of them.

My grandma on the other side though, she really loved them.

I remember she had at least 2-3 rows of her garden completely dedicated to irises.

When they were all in bloom, they were a sight to behold.

And their scent! There's nothing quite like it.

I divided my irises last week--just in the nick of time!

They have started to put up buds this week.

This is from last year. Look what I have to look forward to!!

So here's the thing with irises--they are pretty easy-going plants.

You can procrastinate dividing them until they're practically blooming, and they will probably settle in and still bloom for you. In fact, I'm fully expecting the ones I just divided to bloom--though they may be a week or two later than the rest.

That being said, if yours are already blooming--wait until later this summer.

The irises would probably put up with the disturbance, but it can be tough to do everything you need to do without breaking off the flower stalk.

And that, my friends, would be a crying shame.

If this is something you have never done before, be brave!

You've got this!

So first, how do you know that your irises need to be divided in the first place?

Take a look at your iris patch.

Irises grow from rhizomes--that's the round, firm part halfway out of the ground.

Each rhizome eventually forms sideshoots, which develop into their own rhizome.

Once a few of these have formed, the central rhizome usually dies.

It may look something like this (although at this point your leaves will be much longer--this was taken in February.)

Can you see that the middle lump doesn't have any green leaves growing from it, but it's surrounded by healthy-looking babies?

It's time to divide!

Get out your shovel and dig 3-4 inches out around the outer perimeter of the whole rhizome family.

Carefully lift the entire bunch out where you can see it.

[Wow! Those grew fast! Ha. The rest of these pictures are from last week.]

Brush the dirt off the best you can and take a good look at what you've got.

You can even wash them off with the hose, but I'm generally too lazy for that!

Healthy irises should feel firm when you squeeze them, NOT mushy.

Also, there should not be any insect holes in them.

There should be healthy green leaves sprouting from one end.

The roots should not be black or withered-looking.

So here you can see there are two healthy rhizomes that need to come off, with the rhizome on the bottom looking black, with no leaves growing from it.

Now, here's why this is so easy: the rhizomes snap right off!

Grab hold close to the leaves and bend.

It should snap off from the parent without any problems.

Next, pull gently to tease apart the roots and free it completely.

The roots usually come right apart with a steady tug.

Done!

On to the next!

All of these were from 2 "families" that I divided.

Give it a try! 

Unless you're trying to fill up your flowerbed, you will have more than can fit back into that space.

Not to worry! Any extras can be used to make a new patch of May gladness somewhere else, or even given away. Gardeners tend to make friends easily! :)

Mini-Theme: Missing Persons

There is something about stories of missing people that just grabs my imagination. I want the answers! Of course, many times, there are no answers, just conjecture and more questions.

No doubt a part of it is that most of these people were explorers, or finders of wild places. I am curious about them--what makes them tick? How would it be?  I am not an explorer by any stretch. I enjoy being comfortable; I appreciate indoor plumbing, cooked food, and soft beds.  I start to get a little nervous if we go too far off the beaten path when we're hiking or camping. I feel brave visiting the porta-potty at the edge of the campground, armed only with a heavy flashlight.  So clearly, I'm practically a different species from these sorts who go off into the wilderness without looking back. No doubt that adds to my fascination with them. 

As I went looking for books that fit this mini-theme, I was a bit surprised to see how many I've read over the past few years.

The one that sparked the list was The Last Season, by Eric Blehm, reviewed below. It was great! If you're into this type of nonfiction, I recommend it.

Finding Everett Ruess: The Life and Unsolved Disappearance of a Legendary Wilderness Explorer, by David Roberts

3 stars: Interesting; well-written.

Everett Ruess was a bit of a vagabond. He was happiest when he was out in the wilds of the southwestern United States, by himself. He wrote about his experiences and how they were changing him. He also wrote to his parents to ask for money--often. Until he didn't. In November of 1934 Ruess disappeared, leaving behind a campsite, reams of writing, and an enduring mystery. He was just 20 years old.

Roberts gives a thorough biography of Ruess up to his disappearance. He also goes into detail about the efforts to discover what truly became of him. Actually, the detective work done in an effort to solve the mystery was the most interesting part for me.

(Review from February 2013.)

Into Africa: The Epic Adventures of Stanley and Livingstone, by Martin Dugard

4 stars: Fascinating portrait of 2 men adventuring into Africa and the times they lived in.

Dr. Livingston was so focused on proving his theory about the source of the Nile that he went into the heart of Africa and just stayed. Not by choice, after a few years, though. He was sick, impoverished, and alone. Enter Stanley, a young journalist who was sent to find the good doctor and bring back the story--or else.

A sweeping view of the times, the men, who and what they left behind, and what happened next. Extensively researched and yet written in a way that brings the story to life beyond reams of details.

Because of this book, I decided to give Heart of Darkness one more try. Spoiler alert: I liked this one better!

(Review from March 3, 2015.)

The Last Season, by Eric Blehm

4 stars: Compelling mystery; very well-written.

Randy Morgensen was a seasonal park ranger in the Sierra Nevadas for nearly 3 decades. He was a man who cared deeply and passionately about protecting the land, or as his job mandate went: protect the land from the people, the people from the land, and the people from the people. When it came to assisting injured or sick hikers and backpackers, he was calm, courteous, skilled, and very knowledgeable. He had almost a sixth sense about where to find lost people, based on his knowledge of the land. He loved the mountains and never felt happier or more at peace than when he was living up there.

One summer day in 1996 he missed a radio check-in. Not too ominous, as there were many reasons it could have happened. However, as the hours turned in to days, it became obvious that something had gone wrong. Badly wrong. The Search and Rescue was made even more difficult because the other rangers were all his friends--they were searching for one of their own.

"Enjoy" doesn't seem the right word to use when it's a book about someone's disappearance. It was an engrossing portrait of a modern mountain man, and what may have led to his fatal mistake. (By the way, the photos in the middle include some spoilers, so don't look at those until the end, if you can help it.) It's also a love letter to the few remaining wild places on our planet; what they can do for the soul and what we ought to be doing to preserve them.

(Finished April 26, 2016.)

The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon,
by David Grann

4 stars: I couldn't put it down!

Grann recounts the story of Colonel Percy Fawcett, the famous explorer of the Amazon, who became obsessed with finding El Dorado--the legendary City of Gold--in the unexplored Amazon jungle. On his previous expeditions, Fawcett had experienced everything from starvation, to disease, to hostile natives, to fellow explorers going mad, and somehow managed to survive to tell about it. Then in 1925, Fawcett, his son, and his son's best friend left on a highly advertised expedition, completely certain that they would find El Dorado at last...and never returned.

As months turned into years, the lost explorers became more of a draw than the fabulous city they were looking for. Everyone seemed to have a different theory, or a new lead, including some of the native people in the areas where the explorers were last heard from. Numerous expeditions set out to retrace Fawcett's steps, only to (mostly) end in tragedy. Much to his own surprise, Grann's research eventually leads him into the jungle as well. What he finds there (and doesn't find) is fascinating in its own right--and sheds some light on the enduring Fawcett mystery.

Narrative nonfiction at its best! A fine mixture of history, biography, anthropology, and the author's own discoveries.

(Review from February 2012.)

The Lost Cyclist, by David V. Herlihy

2 stars: Interesting to learn more about the early days of cycling. The around-the-world trips of both Sachtleben and Lenz were recounted stop by stop, which got to be skim-worthy at times.


The story of cyclist Frank Lenz, who disappeared in Turkey during an around-the-world cycling trip. It also recounts the efforts of fellow cyclist, William Sachtleben, to find out what happened and bring Lenz's murderers to justice.

Unlike some missing persons stories, there is a general consensus about what happened to Lenz, with quite a bit of testimony and evidence supporting it. I didn't envy Sachtleben's mission to discover what he could of the truth.

(Review from September 2013.)

Scent of the Missing: Love and Partnership with a Search-and-Rescue Dog, by Susannah Charleson

3 stars: I don't remember much about it, except I know that I liked it!

Charleson shares the joy and heartbreak of working as a team with a search-and-rescue dog.

(Review from May 2013.)

You know, what I really want to find is a good book about Amelia Earhart's life and disappearance. Do you know of one?

Are you an explorer at heart or a home-body like me?

Let me know if you read any of these!

One More Ninebark

Last year my 'Yellow Topaz' rose in this back flowerbed died off.

It got some kind of disease.

This picture is from fall of last year.

It's the dead brown you see here.

Finally this spring, as I tried to pull the remaining canes upright, they snapped off at the base.

Guess that was the end of that rose.

Since it was disease-related (though I never did find out what caused it), I knew I couldn't put another rose in here, but I definitely wanted another shrub to anchor this end of the bed.

Meet 'Dart's Gold' Ninebark!

(Physocarpus opufolius 'Dart's Gold')

I have 3 of the purple-leaved ninebarks on my east-side terrace.

This one is very pretty with the lighter green/gold foliage.

According to the tag, the leaves turn lime green in the summer and gold with a bronze hue in the fall.

It will stay on the smaller side: 5' tall x 40" wide.

Best color in full sun, which this bed gets. Perfect!

Long live the ninebark!