The Obsessive Neurotic Gardener

Monthly Archives: September 2010

Garden Writers Conference

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I had intended to document all of my thoughts and experiences while here in Dallas but friggin Murphy’s Law has hit. I have a nasty virus on my laptop. Never ending “adult sites” are popping up but I can’t access any other websites. I have a ton to share and great photos but it will have to wait (typing on the Droid is too painfully tedious). I can tell you this though, I have never met such kind, fun and supportive people … EVER. This feels right and I am beyond stoked to see where it leads.

John

Wordless Wednesday … and Thursday

Garden Writers Association Symposium

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Holy shit … it’s here. 

What the hell am I doing?

How did I ever get myself involved in this world?

I don’t belong in this crowd … I write this nice little garden blog … and only started it in February of this year … who do I think I am?

I am supposed to be corporate guy, right? One of many in the herd.

I have had no formal training, who the f am I kidding? 

These are the thoughts dancing in my head this morning as I am only two days away from attending the Garden Writers Association Symposium in Dallas, Texas. Admittedly, I am having some serious doubts about myself as this major event approaches.

But I will tell you this my friends; the fear, the doubts, they can go to hell. Because I have something that easily trumps those feelings, something that continues to grow each day, something that I am following blindly and will follow no mater where it goes. That little something is called PASSION. It grabbed me by the nether region and hasn’t let go since.

I am ready to transform myself into a sponge and soak in every last bit of information I can from each and everyone I come across over the next few days. These are some mad talented individuals and to be able to interact with them all is an opportunity beyond my wildest expectations. My excitement level is through the roof and I plan on coming back home armed with a sick arsenal of garden writing weapons.      

I will be updating the blog each night throughout my time in Dallas and I’m sure it will be a bit rambling and manic, but I promise you, it will be a completely honest assessment of each of my days.

Bring it on mutha f’ers!
ONG           

       

That weird feeling in the stomach

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I know that my maturity level doesn’t come close to matching my actual age (38 in case you were asking) but even I have been surprised at how I have felt the past few days. I feel like a ten year old who doesn’t want to go back to school and admit that the Summer is over.

Now I love the Fall as much as the next guy, and I welcome football back with big open arms (this is the year the Raiders ascend to mediocrity) but this year more than ever, I can’t let go of Summer. It was hot as hell and dry as hell but man, I couldn’t get enough of it. I enjoy working out in the gardens sweating my ass off and enjoy the sun beating down on me relentlessly as I pull weeds. Don’t know why really, just do. I loved our week at the beach, the bees buzzing in harmony all day, sitting on the deck in the late afternoon, sweet tea vodka in hand, enjoying how the ornamental grasses looked while back lit. Son of a … !

Well that is my theme as I take you through the photos I took earlier today. I may stay up all night tonight just so tomorrow won’t come when my son starts 3rd grade, which is another sign that the f’n Summer is done.

Enough of my bitching, photo time:         

You can see the transformation from Summer to Fall on the Sedum ‘Matrona’ blooms:  

The Sedum ‘Autumn Fire’ blooms are just now emerging, and are smaller than expected thanks to the damn rabbits. 

I cannot get enough of the Helenium Autumnale blooms which still scream Summer to me:

Bees, are like beyond awesome and shit:

Enjoying the fruits on the Crabapple before they are completely devoured in the Fall:

The blooms on the Pennisetum ‘Karley Rose’ stay strong while the Rudebckia blooms fade into the sunset:

The ‘Joan Senior’ Daylilly, the gift that keeps on giving:

The hairs on the Yuccas seem to have increased ten-fold the past week, don’t know why, just know that it is Fall’s fault: 
The Catmint continues to throw out some blooms and the Hydrangea foliage still holds strong:

The spent blooms on the Astilbe still look good, but I know they will be history real soon: 

I love watching them, and I’m good with them chilling out in the backyard, but they better not venture closer to the house when all the good tasting weeds in the back die down in the Fall:  

One last note, I have a ton of emotions right now with this event coming up this weekend. I will be out of my comfort zone and feel a bit overwhelmed by it, yet I couldn’t be more excited and inspired to make the most of it. I will be dedicating a post to it in the next few days. 

ONG   

Battle Royale – Summer vs Autumn

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Last night I watched an episode of Ghost Hunters recently filmed at the Philadelphia Zoo. If you read my last post, you know that we were there this past weekend. In the episode, the “hunters” clearly discovered signs of paranormal activity in numerous buildings and in the awesomely terrifying underground tunnels. There were hushed voices, sounds of the waltz (no lie) and bangs that sent shivers down my spine and forced me to curl up in the fetal position.

What is the purpose of this story? After watching the show last night I was convinced I was hearing hushed voices outside early this morning so I got my paranormal equipment out and set out to seek the truth. Turns out, the noises were the result of a ton of trash talking between Summer and Autumn. It’s that time of year when Summer tries to hold on to what it’s still got and Autumn tries to force it’s way in with reckless abandon. It got pretty heated and a bit off color. It was like a tennis match with one touting one of their plants and the other returning serve by touting one of their own. I managed to record their back and forth and will present this in photo form to you now:

Summer – Russian Sage still blooming away and drawing bees like mad

Autumn – the Russian Sage will dry up soon and Caryopteris ‘Sunshine Blue’ will be the shit
Summer – Spirea ‘Anthony Waterer’ and Rudbeckia Goldsturm keep on keepin on   

Autumn – the flowers look weak, it’s all about the changing foliage now, like this Viburnum  

Summer – the Helenium blooms don’t look like they care that it’s September 

Autumn – did I mention the people want changing foliage already? Like with this Itea 

Summer – I’ll keep firing away with long lasting blooms, like with Phlox ‘David’

Autumn – and I’ll see your blooms and once again, raise you with more foliage change from this Geranium  

Summer – can you offer something as beautiful as this Daylily bloom? Can you punk?

Autumn – Yawn … my faded blooms look better as we transition to the cooler weather

I scored it a draw and must admit Autumn comes off a bit pompous and entitled. What do you think?

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Birds and Coffee

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This past weekend, we dragged the kids out in the blazing sun to the Philadelphia Zoo. It was the last free weekend before school starts and chaos reigns. Plus, the little ones needed to get off their lazy asses and learn some things.

You are never too old for the zoo and my wife and I felt like little kids. The kids were way psyched as well and toughed out the harsh conditions. A few photos of what we saw:

     

The animals were all the rage but there was a display that caught my eye immediately because it brought together two of my faves in one topic:

 
It was too good to be true! While everyone was watching the tropical birds flying overhead, I was riveted by the series of messages to follow:

Now I am not claiming to be driving the “green” bus but I am definitely sitting in one of the seats. And this is an area where I am way on board. In fact, the only coffee we ever have at home is:

Grounds for Change coffee is grown under shaded conditions, is certified organic and is 100% Fair Trade Coffee. And by the way, off the charts delicious.

I tried to educate the kids on this whole bird/coffee connection and while I’m sure it went in one ear and out the other, I truly believe it will slowly seep into their impressionable minds.

A trip to the zoo sure beats sitting around playing video games even if all the walking in near 100 degree temps knocked them out completely on the way home:

     
Stay thirsty my friends
ONG