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Open Thoughts- Monday for the Earth, Garden Edition

by: Kathleen

Mon Jul 26, 2010 at 00:00:00 AM EDT

My favorite gardens are the Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island in Canada. To me this garden carved into the stone grottoes, with moving water is an oasis created by man and mother earth, the ultimate in art. As you walk the 55 acres up and down the trails and pathways it is nothing short of a religious experience for me. The hushed respectful sounds blending with the beauty of the space speaks to what everyone there is experiencing as they walk amoung such creation.

If you ever get a chance to spend a day in the splendor of this 55 acres of wonder carved into one of the most beautiful places on earth please treat yourself to the magic.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B...

http://www.google.com/images?q...

So what is on your mind today??

Kathleen :: Open Thoughts- Monday for the Earth, Garden Edition

Tags: open thoughts, gardens, (All Tags)

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Open Thoughts- Monday for the Earth, Garden Edition | 45 comments

Hi, Kathleen (15.00 / 5)

Wanted to bring this link here:

http://www.dailykos.com/storyo...

IMO, it's a brilliant analysis of what's needed by the left to change...everything: the memes, the stampeding Party of No, the hearts of the sheep & to thoroughly trounce the Teabaggers.

Of course, I've loved Unitary Moonbat's writing for years. He calls it a rant, and maybe for UM it is a rant -- but almost every other blogger would call it thoughtful, well-researched & prescriptive.

BTW, that garden looks beautiful.

English usage is sometimes more than mere taste, judgment and education - sometimes it's sheer luck, like getting across the street.
E. B. White

by: Youffraita @ Mon Jul 26, 2010 at 06:17:20 AM UTC

Thanks Youff (15.00 / 5)

for the link, good one.

On the gardens.....

There is a fast ferry that goes from Seattle to Vancouver Island (1 and 1/2 hours one way), my mom (when she was well enough) and I would hop on that ferry early in the morning to go to the gardens, spend the day there and then catch the ferry home. It was one of her favorite things to do. The last time we went was the day stupid Americans elected Bush for a second term. I will never forget it, we had voted absentee and that was all Canadians wanted to talk about was would he be reelected, what did we think. I kept reassuring them there is no way he will be reelected, saying Americans aren't that stupid. I could see in their eyes they weren't too sure, ha what a fool I was.

by: Kathleen @ Mon Jul 26, 2010 at 14:25:14 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Oh, I wish (12.17 / 6)

I didn't believe Americans can be that stupid...but they are.

Y'know, when I lived in NYC I didn't vote very often: it was a definite blue island.

Now? I have to counteract all the idiots who live in PA. And they are legion. Just like the "legion" of demons they believe are coming to destroy all the "good Christians." Don't get me wrong: there are definitely some Christians here (by which I mean, they believe in and try to follow the teachings of Christ).

Most of them?

Teabaggers.

English usage is sometimes more than mere taste, judgment and education - sometimes it's sheer luck, like getting across the street.
E. B. White

by: Youffraita @ Mon Jul 26, 2010 at 23:20:05 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Everybody in Pennsylvania's like that? (13.33 / 3)

Since Pennsylvania's such a huge state, I find that hard to believe.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

by: mplo @ Tue Jul 27, 2010 at 05:11:55 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Miki, I live in Pennsyltucky (12.17 / 6)

Philly is pretty firmly in the Democratic camp...bur the Pittsburgh area trends red. And Pennsyltucky (the middle of the state) trends knee-jerk GOP. "If it was good enough for great-grandpa, it's good enough for us."

Completely ignoring that great-grandpa was voting for Teddy Roosevelt: who would be considered a commie by the current GOP.

If you want some good reading, Google my House rep, Joe Pitts (& he really is the pits). Lois Herr is running against him & I will vote for her...but (sigh) The Pitts will almost certainly win.

Too many people around here vote against their own economic self-interest.

English usage is sometimes more than mere taste, judgment and education - sometimes it's sheer luck, like getting across the street.
E. B. White

by: Youffraita @ Tue Jul 27, 2010 at 05:26:33 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Frankly, I think that a lot of Americans have a really vicious streak in them, (11.67 / 3)

and are willfully ignorant, if one gets the drift.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

by: mplo @ Tue Jul 27, 2010 at 12:47:51 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

One gets the drift... (11.50 / 2)

One calls them Sheriff Joe Arpaio and Caribou Barbie and pretty much everyone employed by Faux TV.

I'd like to be more generous than that: but then, they are not very generous, and they have declared war on good people like us.

And them's fightin' words to this Pennsyltuckian.

English usage is sometimes more than mere taste, judgment and education - sometimes it's sheer luck, like getting across the street.
E. B. White

by: Youffraita @ Wed Jul 28, 2010 at 02:24:20 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Beautiful pictures and music for the gardens, Kathleen! (15.00 / 4)

Thanks for posting them and sharing them with us. :)

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

by: mplo @ Tue Jul 27, 2010 at 05:10:35 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Gardens... (14.80 / 5)

Photobucket

Photobucket

Pass me a bottle, Mr. Jones...

by: JayinPortland @ Mon Jul 26, 2010 at 13:15:46 PM UTC

Jay (15.00 / 5)

thank you so much for the garden pics. I was going to ask if anyone had pics of gardens for their areas and here you are with these. Your own Vietnam War wall and a tribute to a Holocaust baby very beautiful.

by: Kathleen @ Mon Jul 26, 2010 at 14:13:47 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

My god, Jay! (12.40 / 5)

These are beautiful!!

Kathleen, if you're listening, thanks for the outstandingly beautiful picture of the the Canadian Garden that you posted! Wow!!

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

by: mplo @ Tue Jul 27, 2010 at 12:49:22 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Thank you Kathleen (14.80 / 5)

for the morning beauty. I can't think of a better way to start my day than relaxed and peaceful which is how it makes me feel. :)

Tomato plant update- It wasn't as bad as I feared. There was only one branch that needed Rias bandaging technique. I got it all tied up and now its just wait and see how it does in the next storm.

by: Alma @ Mon Jul 26, 2010 at 16:31:29 PM UTC

I am doing (12.00 / 6)

the happy tomatoes dance!!

happy dance 7 Pictures, Images and Photos

by: Kathleen @ Mon Jul 26, 2010 at 16:57:47 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

gorgeous (14.17 / 6)

One of the prettiest gardens near me is Bok Tower Gardens. It was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, who is best known for designing Central Park, and the Biltmore Estate. BTW, I highly recommend a visit to the Biltmore Estate, and to the very cool town of Asheville, NC in which it is located. It's absolutely breathtaking.

Anyway, Bok Tower Gardens:

The bell tower plays a carillon twice a day, and it's a fabulous experience, when it's not 95 degrees outside.

by: puzzled @ Mon Jul 26, 2010 at 17:35:22 PM UTC

Holy crap puzzled (14.60 / 5)

what a beautiful historic garden.

The tower fascinates me with the 60 bells playing at 1 and 3PM.

o what's behind the Great Brass Door?
* On the first floor is the Founder's Room, created as a private study for Edward Bok.
* Level two and level three contains mechanical equipment.
* The curator's workshop is on level four.
* The Anton Brees Carillon Library, located on level five, is the largest carillon library in the world. Between level five and six is a practice keyboard.
* The carillonneur's studio is on level six.
* The carillon fills the upper third of the Tower on level seven.

Do they allow people to go inside, I would love to peek at the library?

by: Kathleen @ Mon Jul 26, 2010 at 17:45:36 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

members (14.83 / 6)

are allowed to go behind the door to the Founder's Room. I don't know if they're allowed into the upper levels or not.

by: puzzled @ Mon Jul 26, 2010 at 18:05:29 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

One of the videos (15.00 / 5)

in the link I last posted takes you inside and one explains the bells. What a work of art to have in the middle of a garden! Thanks puzzled I put it on my bucket list.

by: Kathleen @ Mon Jul 26, 2010 at 18:37:16 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I found this link (14.00 / 5)

to videos.... awesome.

http://boktowergardens.org/pho...

by: Kathleen @ Mon Jul 26, 2010 at 17:48:14 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

You have an Olmstead garden? (15.00 / 5)

Gha! I am SO jealous.

The man was brilliant.

English usage is sometimes more than mere taste, judgment and education - sometimes it's sheer luck, like getting across the street.
E. B. White

by: Youffraita @ Mon Jul 26, 2010 at 23:27:20 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Olmsteds in the PNW... (14.75 / 4)

Interesting history. The Olmsted Bros. planned Portland's early park system. Laurelhurst Park is one of my favorite places in Portland, and just a 9-minute direct bus ride away!

Pass me a bottle, Mr. Jones...

by: JayinPortland @ Tue Jul 27, 2010 at 02:17:49 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

i've always meant to (14.20 / 5)

go to Biltmore but never quite made it....

nor i have i made it to Brookgreen although it is quite close.....

but a place i loved as a child/young teen was Viscaya in Miami...

(sorry for the number of pictures. i couldn't figure out which one to cut out)

This opulent palace was built in 1916 by James Deering. It's an Italian Renaisance-syle vila used the setting for the splendid dinner party in Ace Venturic: Pet Detective and filed with 15th century furniture and decorative arts.

that's a stone barge built in the bay...
they'd hold parties out there with a band & refreshments, shunting everything out there by rowboat!

they had an indoor/outdoor swimming pool! quite forward thinking for that time...

(the left side was for guests, the right side for the Deerings!)

and a wonderful spiral staircase...

and amazing gardens...

the entrance:

water-fountains along the driveway:

the gazebo on the water:

the steps in the distance above:

from the top of those steps looking back:

"Indeed, if a poor man will spend a year in prison for stealing out of hunger,
how high would the gallows need to be to hang the rich man?"
~The Patrician in 'Snuff' by Terry Pratchett

by: RiaD @ Mon Jul 26, 2010 at 23:59:46 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Vizcaya is cool (15.00 / 5)

I haven't been there in years, but drive by it almost every time I'm in Miami (which is at least a couple of times a year.

But seriously, you should go to the Biltmore Estate if you ever get the chance. It's absolutely unreal. The house, the gardens, the vineyard, the restaurants. Bring lots of money and a camera. Oh, and very comfortable shoes. I was last there a couple of years ago with a group, and we got a private, behind-the-scenes tour of the mansion. That was nice, but just walking around the estate is my favorite part of being there.

by: puzzled @ Tue Jul 27, 2010 at 00:48:25 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Ria (13.00 / 4)

these gardens are wonderful, thank you for the links. My bucket list is growing. :o)

by: Kathleen @ Tue Jul 27, 2010 at 13:11:00 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Kathleen, I never had (15.00 / 4)

a large or very organized garden.

I like the chaos of a bunch of different perennials all mixed together.

Of course, one has to consider how big each plant can get, and how invasive they are.

(Hint: avoid invasives.)

My theory of the perennial garden is: plant a bunch of very hardy plants. Cut 'em back to the ground if a pest takes over them. They'll grow back. And, if you can find one, always plant a rebloomer that doesn't need to be dead-headed.

Water weekly.

Rinse and repeat.

English usage is sometimes more than mere taste, judgment and education - sometimes it's sheer luck, like getting across the street.
E. B. White

by: Youffraita @ Wed Jul 28, 2010 at 02:30:24 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Surprise surprise........ (15.00 / 5)

http://www.treehugger.com/file...

by: Kathleen @ Mon Jul 26, 2010 at 19:10:00 PM UTC

what a great link, Kathleen! (12.60 / 5)

thanks

It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see. ~ Thoreau ... and, do no harm

by: newpioneer @ Mon Jul 26, 2010 at 20:42:23 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I saw (14.00 / 5)

a report on tv today that made think of "Keeping up with the Jones'" but in a good way. It was talking about what a large percentage of people have gone back to actually cooking from scratch instead of out of boxes. The "keeping up with the Jones" part was that a decent percentage of those cooking more weren't doing it for budgetary reasons, but because its the fad now days. Most of the ones that were doing it because of money problems said they planned on continuing to cook from scratch even after their finances improved. Its so nice to finally see a fad thats in the right direction.

by: Alma @ Mon Jul 26, 2010 at 23:52:31 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

all those cooking shows (14.57 / 7)

may have had some effect. Although if you cooked some of the stuff on those shows, I don't know how much money you'd save over a night out, but there's a real sense of accomplishment to attempting a difficult recipe and having it taste amazing.

I cook at home because it's cheaper and healthier than eating out, and because, although it's drudgery when you have to come up with something for dinner night after night, it's also an outlet for creativity and a way to show my family that they're important to me.

I made a kick-ass banana cake from scratch this weekend. Layers, caramel filling and cream cheese frosting. I wonder if there's any left in the fridge...?

by: puzzled @ Tue Jul 27, 2010 at 00:53:02 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

There's always ordering in pizza when (15.00 / 4)

you run out of ideas! Although pizza is one of the easiest things in the world to make. My specialty is a deep-dish Chicago-style pie with sausage & fresh mozzarella.

The hardest part? Finding an appropriate pizza pan. I have been tempted to try to buy one from the pizza joint on the corner....

The best thing about the Food Network isn't necessarily the recipes, imho, it's watching their techniques. For example, about six years ago someone (I think it was Rachel Ray) did an episode where she watched a 90-something grandma make latkes. No recipe: granny just demonstrated. I've been using that technique ever since, and it works every time.

English usage is sometimes more than mere taste, judgment and education - sometimes it's sheer luck, like getting across the street.
E. B. White

by: Youffraita @ Tue Jul 27, 2010 at 05:44:08 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

youff! (12.00 / 4)

you gots mail sweetie!!
♥~

"Indeed, if a poor man will spend a year in prison for stealing out of hunger,
how high would the gallows need to be to hang the rich man?"
~The Patrician in 'Snuff' by Terry Pratchett

by: RiaD @ Tue Jul 27, 2010 at 15:03:45 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I love using (15.00 / 3)

cooking stones for pizza and cookies. Far superior to metal pans. I have a few different sizes. Everything from large flat for making cookies to roaster size with a lid for birds. I use the pie and/or casserole pans when I want to make a deep dish pizza. I do still remember those years I used to cook.

Sometimes I miss cooking but I know once my moms gone and I'm cooking full time again it won't take me long to get tired of it.

by: Alma @ Tue Jul 27, 2010 at 15:06:34 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

baking stones (14.40 / 5)

are cool. I've never used mine for cookies--must remember that one. I use it primarily for bread. The book Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day and the sequel, Healthy Bread in 5 Minutes a Day have changed my approach to bread baking.

Not so much during the summer, but all winter long, when I have a houseful of people, it's so nice to have fresh bread whenever I want it.

by: puzzled @ Tue Jul 27, 2010 at 15:37:07 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Yes (15.00 / 4)

you must try using them for cookies. You get a lovely even cooking and the bottoms turn out as good as the tops, no burnt bottoms to worry about. I love my stones.

Fresh bread baking is wonderful. It makes the whole house smell so good and gets your mouth watering for the yummy goodness to come. :) Hubbys the bread maker in our house, but he hasn't made any in a few years. He has one he makes that smells just like french fries to me when its baking.

by: Alma @ Tue Jul 27, 2010 at 15:57:02 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Cooking from scratch is much, much healthier as well as cheaper, (14.50 / 4)

because you're not dealing with something that has all these chemicals that're put into it just to prolong its shelf life.

I know that I stopped using store-bought cake mixes a long, long time ago after reading the back of the box of a Betty Crocker cake mix, after which I dumped the whole thing down the garbage disposal! I've been making my favorite chocolate cake(s) out of scratch ever since. Unbleached King Arthur all-purpose flour is what I use! Nothing else!

your banana cake may well have gotten eaten, puzzled! Bon apetit!

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

by: mplo @ Tue Jul 27, 2010 at 12:43:11 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

puzzled (14.50 / 4)

recipe PLEASE for that kick ass cake!

by: Kathleen @ Tue Jul 27, 2010 at 13:12:55 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Kathleen (11.80 / 5)

linky cake goodness just for you.

I didn't have rum extract, so I skipped it, and put in a pinch of nutmeg, just cuz I like it. And my cake pans were 9 inch, not 8, so I turned down the oven a bit, to 360, and set the timer for the shortest time specified in the recipe.

Enjoy.

by: puzzled @ Tue Jul 27, 2010 at 15:31:46 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

That looks sooooooo good (14.20 / 5)

thanks for the tips and I just happen to have some very ripe bananas.

by: Kathleen @ Tue Jul 27, 2010 at 16:29:56 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Just. Can't. Resist. (13.33 / 6)

http://www.dailykos.com/storyo...

The Palinization of the Republican Party proceeds apace and party insiders openly tremble as they should. And it's not only the Tea Party extremists. It's Sharron Angle hiding from the press. And Rand Paul doing the same. Or Meg Whitman ducking her own press conference. Or Chris Dudley ducking a debate.
And then there are the liars and cheats. Serial plagiarist Scott McInnis. And serial liar Mark Kirk, who also, understandably, literally runs from the press. And then there's Dudley's dishonesty, too.
Not only are Republican candidates hopelessly extreme and/or inept, they or their backers know that they're hopelessly extreme and/or inept. These people are attempting to follow the Bush model of avoiding mistakes while not letting voters know the truth about who and what they are or where they stand on the issues. It's politics by obfuscation and avoidance, a deliberate strategy of dishonesty, because they know that truth is their worst enemy. Traditional Republican avoidance of scientific facts, such as on evolution or climate change, has created an alternate universe. They depend on myths and lies because it's who they are, desperately hoping that the voters believe false narratives, don't pay attention to issues, and are motivated more by fear and idolatry than rationality.

English usage is sometimes more than mere taste, judgment and education - sometimes it's sheer luck, like getting across the street.
E. B. White

by: Youffraita @ Tue Jul 27, 2010 at 01:59:33 AM UTC

If only (14.20 / 5)

I didn't worry about this part being true.

the voters believe false narratives, don't pay attention to issues, and are motivated more by fear and idolatry than rationality

I don't have a lot of faith in most voters even knowing who the candidates are, much less what they really stand for. I think they must go in there and either just vote for their party or pick what name they like the best. These are also the voters that just go by sound bites from FoxSpews.

by: Alma @ Tue Jul 27, 2010 at 02:29:36 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Honestly, Alma... (14.20 / 5)

People who get their news from Faux should be disqualified as voters. My god, people whose sole source for the news is Jon Stewart are better informed.

English usage is sometimes more than mere taste, judgment and education - sometimes it's sheer luck, like getting across the street.
E. B. White

by: Youffraita @ Tue Jul 27, 2010 at 05:56:24 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Two things, Youff: (11.50 / 2)

First of all, there are people who are willfully ignorant in that respect; inotherwords, people who know better often vote for creeps.

Secondly, and I'm sorry to say it, but this:

People who get their news from Faux should be disqualified as voters.

isn't going to happen.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

by: mplo @ Tue Jul 27, 2010 at 12:45:25 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

did you really (13.00 / 3)

think youff was being serious?

i don't believe she'd really want anyone disqualified from voting.... if the votes were actually counted correctly. i know I don't.

"Indeed, if a poor man will spend a year in prison for stealing out of hunger,
how high would the gallows need to be to hang the rich man?"
~The Patrician in 'Snuff' by Terry Pratchett

by: RiaD @ Wed Jul 28, 2010 at 12:44:34 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Late response to your post: (0.00 / 0)

did you really
think youff was being serious?

A little facetious, maybe. (lol)

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

by: mplo @ Sun Aug 01, 2010 at 00:11:45 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

While I see your point and am inclined to agree with what this post says about the Republican Party, (15.00 / 1)

I believe that the cravenness and cowardice of the Democrats at large has also paved the way for the rise of the so-called "Palinization" of the Republican Party.
'
I don't mean to sound so contrary, but I'm calling it as I personally see it.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

by: mplo @ Tue Jul 27, 2010 at 12:52:38 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Weighing in late for Monday, but will make it Monday/Tuesday instead: (14.00 / 7)

I had a wonderful time this past Monday night seeing my alltime favorite movie in a real movie theatre. To add beauty to my wonderful time, it was also a very pretty drive out there, and it was all worth the evening. I've decided to save the details of my report for my Open Thoughts for Thursday of this week. Stay tuned!

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

by: mplo @ Tue Jul 27, 2010 at 05:17:08 AM UTC

Open Thoughts- Monday for the Earth, Garden Edition | 45 comments

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