.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Key West Garden Gate
I'm missing Key West today. Duval street is fun, with the shops, bars and music; but, the true essence of Key West are the historical homes that line the streets. Most have been renovated into B & B's and guest houses. If I only had a million dollars, I'd open one myself. :)
Spring Doorway 5
Another house that features St. Louis bricks. I love the dormer windows and the detail in both the wood work and the patterns of the bricks. The tulip beds are a delight.
Spring Doorway 4
For more than a century, St. Louis has been famous for its distinctive clay bricks; and St. Louis bricks are prized architecturally.
Spring doorway 2
Carmel by-the-Sea? St. Augustine, Florida? No, this beautiful Spanish style home resides in St. Louis.
Spring Doorway 1
The neighborhoods surrounding campus are filled with stately homes and their mature landscaping. I gain inspiration for my own yard when I walk their avenues.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Boxwood and Dogwood
Such a beautiful side garden in this turn-of-the-century home, features a boxwood knot garden and armillary sphere dial. This home is located near Forest Park in St. Louis and the Washington University campus where I work.
Spring table
This sweet little egg platter was my husband's grandmother's, Grandma Puleo. I remember visiting her on the farm when Mike and I were newly dating. Grandma was a short stocky woman, grey hair twisted up to a bun, her dress of choice were comfortable house coat, hospital white support knee hi's--the kind nurses wear-- and slippers. A tea kettle atop the stove was always at the ready to share a cup of tea with her family.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
The C Word
My girlfriend phoned the other night, prefacing the reason for her call as "sucky news," my mind went to fill-in-the-blank mode, one of the boys was in a car accident, her husband Mike (my husband's name too) had a heart attack, one of our friends had died,
"Breast cancer, stage 1" she said, stilling my preemptive attempts.
No history in her family, never smoked, has always exercised and kept her weight in check--a total random strike. Janet shared the events leading up to the diagnosis and the radiation treatment plans she now had to decide upon. We discussed the pro's and con's of having the treatments near home or near work. How the kids took the news and our conversation naturally drifted to their lives, their work, where they were living and who they were seeing. She spoke with relief that her soon to be ex-daughter-in-law was supportive and would make sure the grandchildren would visit her and Mike often. Through the "suckiness" of a cancer diagnosis, her continued relationship with the grandchildren and their mother was everything to her. Life's obstacles never happen in the singular, and the "C" word doesn't obscure life's other issues, both trivial and large; on the other hand, the "C" word aides you in honing into the meaty issues, the issues that matter and allows you to toss the trivial.
Janet and I developed our friendship through our child rearing years, it's a "raising family friendship;" A Daycare, preschool, church, recipe sharing, room mother's, walking for fitness, car pooling; scouts, sports, camping and New Year's Eve banging-pots-on-the-front-porch friendship. Distance does not keep her and Mike from an invite, even after we moved 27 miles out, they've attended every trivia nite, Halloween party, graduation party and funeral. Now that they've moved back to her hometown, 30-plus miles the other way from our old neighborhood, a good 50 miles east of us we will do the same. I realize a year has gone by and I still haven't been to their new home, we have experienced a dry spell now that our kids have grown. This new chapter--post child rearing chapter--offers us the opportunity to find new ways to gather. A winery outing is on the table, where we can share an afternoon of blue sky's, wine and music.
I make a mental note to purchase another copy of Kelly Corrigan's memoir The Middle Place. I read Kelly's memoir a few years ago and even elected to write an assigned report for a nonfiction writing course--Kelly has the innate ability to touch our collective heartstrings in all parts of being female, she transports us to our childhood, teen years through adulthood as only a dear friend can. In her fight against cancer--vulnerable, enraged, scared and hope-filled--Kelly humanizes the journey, sharing the relationship's all women share; our childhoods, friends and families reminding us to remember the moments of our pasts and linger in the moments of the now.
In sharing this book with my dear friend, I hope Kelly's voice offers reassurance and aides Janet's voice in sharing her journey with all those that love her. Afterall, life is the culmination of "now moments," and our taking those "moments in time" to respond.
"Breast cancer, stage 1" she said, stilling my preemptive attempts.
No history in her family, never smoked, has always exercised and kept her weight in check--a total random strike. Janet shared the events leading up to the diagnosis and the radiation treatment plans she now had to decide upon. We discussed the pro's and con's of having the treatments near home or near work. How the kids took the news and our conversation naturally drifted to their lives, their work, where they were living and who they were seeing. She spoke with relief that her soon to be ex-daughter-in-law was supportive and would make sure the grandchildren would visit her and Mike often. Through the "suckiness" of a cancer diagnosis, her continued relationship with the grandchildren and their mother was everything to her. Life's obstacles never happen in the singular, and the "C" word doesn't obscure life's other issues, both trivial and large; on the other hand, the "C" word aides you in honing into the meaty issues, the issues that matter and allows you to toss the trivial.
Janet and I developed our friendship through our child rearing years, it's a "raising family friendship;" A Daycare, preschool, church, recipe sharing, room mother's, walking for fitness, car pooling; scouts, sports, camping and New Year's Eve banging-pots-on-the-front-porch friendship. Distance does not keep her and Mike from an invite, even after we moved 27 miles out, they've attended every trivia nite, Halloween party, graduation party and funeral. Now that they've moved back to her hometown, 30-plus miles the other way from our old neighborhood, a good 50 miles east of us we will do the same. I realize a year has gone by and I still haven't been to their new home, we have experienced a dry spell now that our kids have grown. This new chapter--post child rearing chapter--offers us the opportunity to find new ways to gather. A winery outing is on the table, where we can share an afternoon of blue sky's, wine and music.
I make a mental note to purchase another copy of Kelly Corrigan's memoir The Middle Place. I read Kelly's memoir a few years ago and even elected to write an assigned report for a nonfiction writing course--Kelly has the innate ability to touch our collective heartstrings in all parts of being female, she transports us to our childhood, teen years through adulthood as only a dear friend can. In her fight against cancer--vulnerable, enraged, scared and hope-filled--Kelly humanizes the journey, sharing the relationship's all women share; our childhoods, friends and families reminding us to remember the moments of our pasts and linger in the moments of the now.In sharing this book with my dear friend, I hope Kelly's voice offers reassurance and aides Janet's voice in sharing her journey with all those that love her. Afterall, life is the culmination of "now moments," and our taking those "moments in time" to respond.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Annual Cannon Camp
We celebrated our annual family reunion October 8 and 9. Here is a picture from 1942, the camp during the war. The camp originated in the early to mid 1880's, it is an event that we cherish. Great grandma and grandpa Cannon must be proud.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
New Discovery, Cotton Burr Compost
Oz: Damn it, Jimmy. What the hell did you have to go and move in next door to me?
Jimmy: Oz, do you know what kind of soil they have in this back yard? I've been here two days and I've got little tomato plants...
Oz: Oh my God.
I love this quote from the movie The Whole Nine Yards, I think of Jimmy when I'm working the soil in my front yard flower bed. This soil is a delight, I can work it with my hands it's so rich. Mike brought home this load of rich farm dirt that had been scraped aside for a strip mall, it seemed only fitting that this dirt would make its way to our front yard--within a subdivision that had realized a similar fate. we built our home in what once had been fertile farm land, but the builder had seemed fit to strip the land of three feet of rich Missouri soil and leave us, the poor homeowners, with clay. In my eagerness to grow my landscape for much needed shade and privacy this clay has has been my nemisis, especially when it comes to evergreens. Evergreens cannot tolerate wet feet and I have lost several White Pines, Foster Holly and Spruce in the last decade to soggy feet. So, the battle continues, we've built up a couple of berms and with my new best friend-- Cotton Bur Compost--I'm ready to plant a Scotch Pine and a Holly or two.
__________________________________________
In the world of composting, experts worldwide agree that The Soil Food Web (soilfoodweb.com) is the world's leading authority in the field of compost research, testing, and grading of compost. Founded by noted researcher Dr. Elaine Ingham, the Soil Food Web has a network of laboratories around the world and is a leading advocate of sustainable agriculture.
Only a few consultants are endorsed by and associated with the Soil Food web, one of which is Ms. Jennifer Appel. When interviewed about the efficacy of cotton burr compost, Ms. Appel told me that, "cotton burr compost is head and shoulders above any other compost." Yes, that's a big claim, so my follow- up question dealt with her reasoning for this position. Ms. Appel states that "cotton is a very heavy feeder, absorbing vast amounts of nutrients from the soil as it grows and the bulk of the nutrients are located in the burr left over from the ginning process."
What are the three things that make cotton burr compost America's favorite composting choice?
#1 Cotton burr compost contains a high percentage of organic matter. When you consider the fact that up to 98% of all plant of growth is generated by organic matter, you begin to understand what makes this compost a top performer. Conversely, a deficiency of organic matter will be detrimental to your plant's growth, and its overall health will be handicapped from the very start. Here's an important point to note: The higher the quality of the plant matter being composted, the better the compost. When you start of with material like nutrient-rich cotton burr, the resulting compost is a nutritionally-dense product that surpasses anything you'll ever find in bulk at a retailer's.
#2 Results of the Soil Food Web's test data show that cotton burr compost is abundant in beneficial micro-organisms such as bacteria, fungi, nematodes and protozoa. These are essential microbes which secrete organic acids which, in turn, help release nutrients and other chemicals that bond soil particles into stable aggregates. This action results in prolific microbial activity that improves the overall soil structure, increases air penetration, and resists soil compaction. These necessary microbes occupy most of the leaf or root surface and are efficient at utilizing the food resources that disease-causing organisms would otherwise consume.
#3 Cotton Burr Compost has neutral pH value. Natural anti-fungal properties make cotton burr compost a valued soil amendment for rose growers and organic gardeners.
Myth Buster! Although cotton plants are frequently treated with chemicals to defoliate the plant before harvesting, the compost remains uncontaminated. Defoliating chemicals quickly break down into inert compounds and are totally dissipated before the cotton bolls are harvested. The intensity and duration of heat generated during the composting process also kills off potential pathogens such as e-coli and weed seeds.
#4 Bonus Reason! Cotton Burr Compost is the result of recycling what was once considered 'gin-trash' into a valuable commodity which dramatically aids in building soil fertility. This in turn increases the nutrient content of organic produce, and also creates jobs for Americans in the Mid-South and Delta regions.
Jimmy: Oz, do you know what kind of soil they have in this back yard? I've been here two days and I've got little tomato plants...
Oz: Oh my God.
I love this quote from the movie The Whole Nine Yards, I think of Jimmy when I'm working the soil in my front yard flower bed. This soil is a delight, I can work it with my hands it's so rich. Mike brought home this load of rich farm dirt that had been scraped aside for a strip mall, it seemed only fitting that this dirt would make its way to our front yard--within a subdivision that had realized a similar fate. we built our home in what once had been fertile farm land, but the builder had seemed fit to strip the land of three feet of rich Missouri soil and leave us, the poor homeowners, with clay. In my eagerness to grow my landscape for much needed shade and privacy this clay has has been my nemisis, especially when it comes to evergreens. Evergreens cannot tolerate wet feet and I have lost several White Pines, Foster Holly and Spruce in the last decade to soggy feet. So, the battle continues, we've built up a couple of berms and with my new best friend-- Cotton Bur Compost--I'm ready to plant a Scotch Pine and a Holly or two.
__________________________________________
In the world of composting, experts worldwide agree that The Soil Food Web (soilfoodweb.com) is the world's leading authority in the field of compost research, testing, and grading of compost. Founded by noted researcher Dr. Elaine Ingham, the Soil Food Web has a network of laboratories around the world and is a leading advocate of sustainable agriculture.
Only a few consultants are endorsed by and associated with the Soil Food web, one of which is Ms. Jennifer Appel. When interviewed about the efficacy of cotton burr compost, Ms. Appel told me that, "cotton burr compost is head and shoulders above any other compost." Yes, that's a big claim, so my follow- up question dealt with her reasoning for this position. Ms. Appel states that "cotton is a very heavy feeder, absorbing vast amounts of nutrients from the soil as it grows and the bulk of the nutrients are located in the burr left over from the ginning process."
What are the three things that make cotton burr compost America's favorite composting choice?
#1 Cotton burr compost contains a high percentage of organic matter. When you consider the fact that up to 98% of all plant of growth is generated by organic matter, you begin to understand what makes this compost a top performer. Conversely, a deficiency of organic matter will be detrimental to your plant's growth, and its overall health will be handicapped from the very start. Here's an important point to note: The higher the quality of the plant matter being composted, the better the compost. When you start of with material like nutrient-rich cotton burr, the resulting compost is a nutritionally-dense product that surpasses anything you'll ever find in bulk at a retailer's.
#2 Results of the Soil Food Web's test data show that cotton burr compost is abundant in beneficial micro-organisms such as bacteria, fungi, nematodes and protozoa. These are essential microbes which secrete organic acids which, in turn, help release nutrients and other chemicals that bond soil particles into stable aggregates. This action results in prolific microbial activity that improves the overall soil structure, increases air penetration, and resists soil compaction. These necessary microbes occupy most of the leaf or root surface and are efficient at utilizing the food resources that disease-causing organisms would otherwise consume.
#3 Cotton Burr Compost has neutral pH value. Natural anti-fungal properties make cotton burr compost a valued soil amendment for rose growers and organic gardeners.
Myth Buster! Although cotton plants are frequently treated with chemicals to defoliate the plant before harvesting, the compost remains uncontaminated. Defoliating chemicals quickly break down into inert compounds and are totally dissipated before the cotton bolls are harvested. The intensity and duration of heat generated during the composting process also kills off potential pathogens such as e-coli and weed seeds.
#4 Bonus Reason! Cotton Burr Compost is the result of recycling what was once considered 'gin-trash' into a valuable commodity which dramatically aids in building soil fertility. This in turn increases the nutrient content of organic produce, and also creates jobs for Americans in the Mid-South and Delta regions.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
My Favorite Garden Center
For a quick respite, all I need to do is head down highway 94 to Wine Country Gardens. In the beginning the garden center was known for their acres upon acres of daylilly's, and the bucolic view of the Missouri River bottoms. Your heart rate is guaranteed to lower the minute your car tires crunch atop their gravel drive, Wine Country Gardens is that peaceful. The two-story farmhouse features a wrap-around arbor and is perfect place to while away a few hours. A cafe offering a variety of sandwiches and salads along with a wide variety of wine invites the visitor to linger.
In recent years additional patios, a large dining hall, and an outdoor bandstand offer space for theme dinners, parties and weddings. I feel lucky indeed to have this gem a short 15 minute drive from home.
In recent years additional patios, a large dining hall, and an outdoor bandstand offer space for theme dinners, parties and weddings. I feel lucky indeed to have this gem a short 15 minute drive from home.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
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