Tuesday, March 6, 2012

A Versatile Thanks


Tammy at Casa Mariposa awarded me the Versatile Blogger Award. Didn't know exactly where to go from here, so I will say thanks. My description for versatility could be: a jack of all trades and a master of none. However, my wife told me that wasn't true and she thought I was the master of many things. Wasn't that nice?
I suppose being versatile would be having many different talents or skills. Talents such as wardrobe selection, like the garments on this photo. What could be more versatile than a cowboy hat, red shorts, and of course low cut white sock-age with clogs?

Versatility could be my ability when I get the oils out and paint my masterpieces.


And what about my baking prowess with using candles as my main heat source.








And yes my exemplary skills of identifying bacteria under a microscope. Bacillus Cereus?




Training animals to sniff vegetables, how much more versatile is that?









Oh! Almost forgot this one. Passing on my versatility of fine photography to my significant other.
 And the number seven thing very few people now about my versatility, is the ability to play a stick flute while sitting, after shoulder surgery, and with one hand. Ha! How about that?

Anyways that series of unquestionable abilities made me tired, but being so versatile we must go on as I must follow the rules of engagement to receive or is it to live up to the award. I linked back to try and discover the beginning of this award. Six generations as a matter of fact. I finally became weary and gave up. Patience is not in my versatile talents. Maybe someone else can explain to me were it began? Maybe on the 7th day?

I must show the logo: check. Can't really read what it says in the background but it's green and has a flower.

And I must send this award to 15 other versatile bloggers and leave a comment about it on their blog. hmmm. That's not very many (15) as most all garden bloggers are versatile. And from what I can tell a lot of the ones I'm thinking about have already received the award. So for those that have received this award already just ignore my rude comments. lol. And I have left a lot of bloggers out, so all of you in my blog roll count too. How's that for being politically correct.

15 Blogging "Buddies":
1.Tatyanas secret garden in the pacific northwest: MySecretGarden. Tatyana was the first person to comment (besides my wife) on this blog. Her garden is lush with opulent evergreens, perennials, and accessories which are stunning.
2.Professor Roush's Flint Hills prairie rose garden just up the road from me in Kansas. Prof has a gift of gab, loves to write about his roses, hits people in the political nose, and is an exceptional humorous writer. A true garden blogger friend. Thanks Professor! Garden Musings
3.Pamela Penick's Austin garden and writing inspires many garden bloggers. The queen of the garden blogosphere. Her versatility is very inspiring. From garden tours, nursery tours, great photography, exceptional writing, and just a "nice" person to "listen" to. Just planted some Salvia seeds she sent me this spring. Digging
4.Chris at the Redneck Rosarian. A virtual and real life rosarian of the ninth degree. Chris in his Alabama rose garden shares  his true passion for roses. He and Professor Roush may turn me into a rose lover yet. ha. Chris is an accomplished twitterer if that's a word, and has taken this new social media to a high level for roses. Now that's versatile.
5.Provocative would be the word for Benjamin Vogt's blog, the Deep Middle.. Ben is a college professor/writer/garden coach/pollinator raiser with a true talent. He enjoys to stir the political straw on subjects of growing natives, lawn alternatives, and native habitat or lack thereof. Ben's native prairie garden is a fine example for us all.
6.Les @Tidewater Garden. Les's North Carolina garden blog is always a great read. His plant information posts are always top notch. And his tours of east coast points of interest always draws my interest. And his photography skills of wide landscapes along the coast are awe inspiring. (his plant photos are great also). Les is truly versatile.
7.Hoover Boo. On the Internet nobody knows your a dog. Need I say more. Hoov's love for succulents is unquestioned, at least in my opinion. I had to have a California blogger in my list, right? Another great photographer and blogist. Hoover (is that your real name?) also raises Koi and his beloved white dogs.
8.Alistair from Aberdeen Gardening comes from Bonnie Scotland. Alistair is a true Scottish gentlemen. His ability to transfer his knowledge about gardening and his dry wit always make it a pleasure to read his posts.
9.David at the Desert Edge is a landscape architect/garden speaker/xeric practitioner in Albuquerque, New Mexico. David's knowledge of xeric plants is plentiful and very informative. His posts on visiting xeric landscapes in Nevada, New Mexico and Texas are very enjoyable. Right plant for right site.
10.Another David is from Houston. David's Tropical Texana blog comes from the humid environment of Houston, Texas. Living in the Houston area has it's own set of issues, especially this year with the drought. His tropical's, succulents and of course his chickens provide interesting stories.
11.Scott at Rhone Street Gardens is also versatile in his selections of fine plants, fine photographs and is fine commenter on many garden blogs.
12.From the cold north country, Larry with conrad art glass gardens is an artist with his stained glass and his pristine estate garden.
13.Linnie with Women Who Run with Delphiniums continues to make many laugh in her gardening post. Her skills includes communicating to stick people, her dog, pruning roses, growing plants in the her greenhouse and of course gardening.
14.Donna the super blogger extraordinaire at Garden Walk, Garden Talk. Versatile is her middle name. It seems she is always on the go. Good writer, great photographer, blogist, designer, and a activist for her region of Niagara Falls.
15.Jenny with Rock Rose, and Cat at the whimsical gardener. Both bloggers are gifted in photography, gardening in Austin, Texas and providing interesting blog post.
Others who also fit in here with their talents are: Gail at clay and limestone, and of course Carolyn at Carolyn's Shade Gardens. How could you leave them out.

Well, all this thinking, writing, and formatting is killing me. It's taken a month to complete this post.
Happy spring to every one!





Monday, February 13, 2012

A White GBBD

After a 4" snow over the last few hours blooms are hard to come by. However on this overcast snowy evening the spent blooms are in their glory. Enjoy!
Very large Echinacea spent bloom.
Stipa
Miscanthus, Echinacea, and Rudebeckia
Finch eaten.

Farewell from the Snowy Range of the Flint Hills.
As always join Carol At May Dream Gardens on the fifteenth of the month to view garden blooms from all over the world.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Texas Dawn

In the heat and drought of this summer in Texas, Cindy and I traveled to San Angelo for my eldest sons wedding. As you can see from the image below it was so hot and dry the prickly pear cacti were even shriveling from the lack of aqua.

Some of you have seen the images I photographed in the serene setting of Cristoval Vineyards and Winery.  But, when I was there I also visited the International Waterlily Collection on my way home, almost as an afterthought. Cindy asked me where I was going after we left the hotel, probably wondering what wild gardening goose chase are we on now! "Do you know we have 500 miles to drive?" In other words I got the look. "Well, honey I want to visit the world famous International Water Lily Collection" I replied matter of factually.
  I got the look again 
Well after we finally got there, we both enjoyed it immensely. (At least I think I/we did? Didn't you honey?)  Seriously it was a pleasant surprise.
I'm sure many of the Texas bloggers have given previous posts about this little gem of a public park so I won't go into a full blown description. Below is a link to a pdf file describing the exhibition.

 This blog post title was derived from a video about the 'Texas Dawn' water lilly created at the San Angelo park which in April 2011 was selected as the official waterlily plant of Texas. Interesting video.
Since this visit was in early October the lily's were in  full bloom. I won't show all the photos but a few of the high points.
Tropical lily pads.




immutabulus







 Rhonda Kay
St.Louis Marmorata
Texas shell pink? I think
Blue Cloud
Awesome flowers! Some of the most beautiful I've ever seen.
Well, I'm getting the look, time to wander back home.




Sunday, January 15, 2012

Chillin' GBBD

As I wander through the gardens (or is it wonder) to find a bloom for this January's Garden Bloggers Bloom Day post my mind starts wondering (or is it wandering?).  Earth to Greg. It must me wandering. Winter has returned to more normalcy this past couple of weeks here in the Flint Hills of Kansas. I think the only difference this year is the lack of the wet stuff, mainly snow. I have enjoyed a few days to work on my new garden room project this winter. However, with my advancing age my stamina suddenly deteriorates at a rapid rate when the temperature drops below 40 degrees. So I haven't progressed as much as needed. Maybe some of you can understand that. And as always this "time" of the month involves sharing with gardeners from around the world your garden blooms (or your spent blooms as I have). Go and visit Carol at May Dream Gardens to link up and view other peoples gardens. Thanks Carol.
Johnny' Jumpin. My only true bloom in the garden. These plants actually made the cover of the local paper, the front page no less. Why you say. The news was that many people were commenting throughout the community that plants were "budding" and growing because of all the warmer temperatures.










Where would winter interest be without a little yarrow for tomorrow. Weak huh? I told you I was wondering or wandering?











Or is your little blue's riddle due?














Or is golden more holding to your needs?













 Or is silver more your style?
Somethings eating those Echinacea seeds.
Foreground lightning on Viburnum 'Blue Muffin'
Background lighting on same plant.
Echinancea seed head with Artemesia foliage.

And Spring is closer than you think......
 

Monday, January 2, 2012

My Favorite Images from 2011

While reading my favorite gardening blogs these last few days I came upon Les's Tidewater Garden post on his favorite photos of the last year. At the time I thought what a great idea that would be. Today I read Pam at Diggings post on the same subject matter as well. Pam also added a commentary on why she blogs and how magical this fellowship of gardening bloggers has become. I definitely agree with her!
So Les, you challenged us to present our favorites so here goes:
Mellow Yellow. The bright colors of Rudbeckia 'Endless Summer' with Achillea 'Terra Cotta' and the wonderful texture of Stipa tenuissima really make the summer garden 'pop'.
Another summer garden photo from the corner hell strip. Stipa, Achillea 'Coronation Gold', Calamagrostis 'Karl Foerster', Penstemon 'Red Rocks' and Agastache.
North Platte River near Pathfinder Reservoir in Wyoming.
Apache Plume blooms and inflorescence in the Xeriscape Demonstration Gardens in Colorado Springs.
Penstemon 'Red Rocks' in the corner hell strip. Unfortunately all my plans of this species succumbed to the drought conditions this summer.
Lonely Susan.
Neglected grave site with old fashioned lilac. Taken during memorial day weekend in Aline, Oklahoma.
Tropical Milkweed with Queen butterfly at the San Antonio Botanical gardens.
By a large margin my favorite butterfly photo.
Late summer migration in the garden. 
Taken at the Chaplin Nature Center in Cowley County Kansas this summer.
Taken at the San Antonio Zoo my granddaughter is on the right along with her friend in 108 degree temperatures.
My beautiful granddaughter at my eldest sons wedding this summer in San Angelo Texas.
Taken during the same weekend of the wedding at the International Water Lily garden in San Angelo.
Love the blues in the front hell strip near the street. 
Hopefull I didn't bore you or slow your computer down with the download.
Have a great 2012 with all your gardening and blogging adventures!
Greggo.