Rusty Nails and Marigolds

If you've got four minutes to spare, it's worth the time to listen to Linda Wertheimer's voice from Sunday's  Weekend Edition.  She interviews Ms. Fornari about her new book, Coffee for Roses: ...and 70 Other Misleading Myths About Backyard Gardening. My favorite snippet from a review is "it's an argument settler."

Happy gardening!

Every Rose Has its Thorn

I seem to be on a trend to miss Saturdays, especially when they are sunny and I have a race.  I hope you too were enjoying the sunshine and spring weather.  [I also hope that you, unlike me, remembered to wear gloves when staking up the roses.]  

Two articles from The Guardian captured my interest today:

* This interview with Marian Keyes where she candidly faces questions about her writing, depression, and her wit

* This fascination with Zelda Fitzgerald and the books due to be published this year

Both have dark undertones with a bit of bling.  But then, that's life (and a rose bush).

Snow Place Like Home

It was a cold weekend, even in Florida.  The skirt was out the window for the race and I ran in full winter gear.  The temperature neared 40 by finish.

No matter the locale, I think we each had the chill of the lingering winter.  This "Poem of the week" from The  Guardian seemed an appropriate Monday response.  (I also just really liked the cover photo.)

Check out: The snow whirls over the courtyard's roses by Tua Forsström.

Call a Spade a Spade?

Though knowledge to the contrary, I am beginning to think that "equinox" is Latin for "you won't sleep for a week."  The bustling combination of work, travel, too much coffee (never!) and a stack of bedside reading are still encroaching on a restful nice long sleep.  And did I mention the boxes?  I t also seems that Virgo has changed houses which according to my recently googled horror-scope means that I will too.  (+1 for internet accuracy).  And then there's the training...

In a sleep deprived, waiting for the coffee to perk haze this morning, I read this NYT article by Sarah Lyall on Abbey House Gardens and laughed heartily at the image of naked gardening, particularly when thinking how yesterday morning I dead-headed roses after my morning run and picked up a thorn.  (Apparently every rose has one.)  I see the practicality of those clothing-option warriors but I do tend toward the sunburn and a place for holding the shears.

Lady Meets The Tramp

Thursday discovery:  Vamp&Tramp, Booksellers, LLC

It's located not so far away.

They have miniature books, broadsides, and hand-made books.

I haven't discovered a title which wasn't lovely.

Blank Book * by John Hastings and Our Secret Garden by Paul Johnson were among my favorites.

* Author's note:  the link is to the general page, you'll have to scroll for these titles.  (It's worth it.)

Secret Garden

When my brain becomes overloaded with numbers, I turn to art as a reprieve. One of my favorite books for offsetting "Excel eyes" is The Garden Book by Phaidon Press (who incidentally ranks among my top publishers). I have the mini version of the book. (Size not to be explored in depth as I am taking a break from numbers.) The book surveys 500 (clearly stated in intro; I did no calculations) influential gardens, designers or architects from around the world. At the risk of eating my words, one of my favorites from the book is the "Garden of Cosmic Speculation" by Charles Jencks. Although not relevant to me until today, last night I noticed his garden includes metal sculptures of DNA.

I have been fortunate to visit several of the gardens included and a few of my favorites are the J. Paul Getty Museum Garden, Park Güell, and the Singapore Botanical Garden (aka Orchid Heaven). Japan, China, France, UK, and Finland (Alvar Aalto - need I say more?) are nicely represented as well. I can hardly think of a better way to pass a sunny afternoon than an aimless walk in a pretty place.