GARDEN BLOGGERS' MUSE DAY

" In them old cotton fields back home. "

When I was young and picked cotton in the fields I loved to hear the workers singing back and forth to each other as they toiled under the hot Alabama sun. They just sang as if they were talking to each other, very spontaneously, full of joy. " Hey, now, you know you done me wrong. I came around to see you and you weren't even home." " Say, now, when did you tell me you were comin' by ? If I'd a known you were comin' , I'd of baked an apple pie. "

Singing while you work, or as the old song goes " whistle while you work " seems to make the tasks at hand more pleasant. I find myself doing it sometimes. Just making up stuff as I go along. I guess that's how the blues and jazz got started.

I usually go out very early in the morning to tend to the garden before going to my day job of tending other people's. On one particular morning a mockingbird sitting in my pear tree inspired me to compose my own little ditty :

Song of a Gardener

The mockingbird sits
in the pear tree
singing a lovely melody
What would a garden be without me ?

The irises nod their graceful heads
as if to agree
our colorful display is a sight to see
What would a garden be without me ?

As soon as the sun comes 'round
a princess pretty in purple and pink
The magnolia is dressed in her lovely gown
What would a garden be without me ?

The roses put forth their sweet perfume
her majesty is in full bloom
What would a garden be without me ?

Ah, 'tis true, my dearly beloved,
the gardener said to all the above
Remember how with my own hands
I planted you in the fertile ground
and fed and watered you constantly.
Now I ask :
What would a garden be without you -
and me ?

17 TONS AND WHADDAYAGET ?

A Cicada Emerges from its Shell

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY EVERYONE ! This is suppose to be the weekend when we get the 17 year Cicada emergence . Every time you turn on the radio or television there's something about the cicadas coming. Even the Chicago Tribune had an editorial on it this morning and they have an interactive map to record sightings of the cicadas.

Someone also has a lot of time on their hands, coming up with some far-out recipes on cooking cicadas.

Since I've been in Chicago, I've yet to see a cicada. I hear them at night, singing their peculiar song, but have never seen one.

A lot of people are panicking and wrapping their trees and shrubs in cheesecloth or netting which is supposed to remain until mid-July. We may be seeing a new style of gardens in the area.

A few of my clients have called and asked me for advice about what to do . Common sense tells me that if you don't live on a farm or near the forest, chances are you won't see one. There's been so much construction in the city and suburbs that has destroyed the submerged cicadas.

I don't remember hearing as much hype 17 years ago about the cicadas . Oh well, maybe after this weekend we can put it behind us until the next time.

A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME .....

A WITNESS TO GENERATIONS OF HISTORY

My great , great Irish Grandfather was one of a kind. The way I figure it he was either very brave, or very stupid. Who in the world would declare themselves for the Union in Alabama, the capitol of the Confederate States of America ? He would and did, that's who!

And, for his troubles, his barn was torched and burned to the ground. It's a wonder he survived at all in the midst of this hotbed of rebels. But survive he did and lived to present a bill to the Union for war damages to his property, for which he was compensated in the amount of several hundred U.S. dollars, a lot of money in those days.

I mention the above story because of the rose that grows in my garden , a passalong, from the Civil War era that is a survivor just like my great, great Grandfather was . Not only is the rose a beautiful yellow, it's very fragrant as well. If only it could talk what tales it could tell !

KOREAN TACOS

Lettuce Bundles

I am planting a salad garden this year so that I can pick leaf lettuce and use it in my favorite Korean-style meal . We go to the Korean market and buy veggie side dishes from the deli -cucumbers, bean sprouts, radishes, spinach, etc .

Palm a big lettuce leaf, scoop up a bit of each veggie, add some sauce and pop in your mouth. Not only easy and delicious, but healthy as well.

For meat lovers I add chicken, tuna or beef.

Oh, and don't forget the kimchee. If you haven't tasted kimchee, the Korean side dish of hot pickled cabbage, then you are in for a surprise. Especially if you have sinus trouble. It'll clear that up pronto.

I'M SO BLUE

Spiderwort

Catmint

Iris

Ajuga

Forget-me-not

Creeping Blue Phlox

Blue is so cool I guess that's why I'm drawn to it. I have creeping blue phlox and ajuga, forget-me-nots , blue iris, blue bells, blue spiderwort, catmint, and blue pansies.

Time for self-analysis : Why am I so blue ? I've gotta change my palette - throw in some yellows and pinks for contrast.

What colors dominate in your garden palette ?

HOORAY FOR SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

Oh, Yummy, What's For Dinner ?

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is leading the way among colleges and universities nationwide in its recycling program. Thanks to its recycling coordinator, 1,000 pounds of leftover food will be fed to 2 million red wigglers during the school term and when students are off for the summer, they will dine on shredded paper from university offices.

SIU is the only university in Illinois to compost on such a huge scale Since university campuses are in many instances small cities, this will impact the environment in a good way and sets a good example as well. It is astonishing that only 10 percent of our country's colleges and universities recycle.

The green movement has been spreading to other campuses in Illinois -students at the University of Chicago planted a native-species garden, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign built a rain garden on campus and Northwestern University will buy 20 percent of its electricity from wind power generators.

Thanks to all the passionate environmentalists in our colleges and universities who are setting a good example. I hope it will make others stop and think before they throw stuff in the trash.