Showing posts with label romance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label romance. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Episode 2: Love blooms in Asheville, North Carolina

One of many fine 1920s buildings in downtown Asheville;
note the green tile roof.

Last time on Love Blooms in Asheville we eavesdropped on the love-struck gardeners, George and Alice, who had just met and were discovering all they had in common. Let's catch up on their conversation that afternoon in a downtown Asheville bistro:

And George, I grow a lot of shade plants--

I do too, Alice!

Especially rhododendrons.

Native rhododendrons?

Oh, all kinds. You know George, there are so many pretty hybrids and I--

This won't work Alice.

What?! What do you mean?

I can't possibly have a relationship with someone who grows non-native plants.

George rises abruptly, knocking over his glass of organic red wine.

Alice gasps as the wine splashes on her white Patagonia Synchilla fleece vest.

Oh no!

Alice, what have I done?

Never mind George. Just go.

Alice, are you crying?

Well George, you didn't let me finish my sentence. I was about to tell you--the rhododendron hybrids were already in the garden when I bought the house. But that probably doesn't matter to you. You probably think I should have dug them all up. Now please, leave me alone.

George sits down.

Alice, I'm sorry. I was just so surprised. It seemed like we were on the same wavelength in every way, and then, when you said you grew hybrids--well, it made me wonder if I really knew you.

But George, we've only been talking for an hour. You said you thought I was your soul mate but you don't know me yet. You probably don't even know that you ruined my vest.

Alice, give me a little credit. I understand about red wine stains. And I even know your vest is made from recycled plastic bottles. It's one of the things that drew me to you.

Really?

Yes. I thought, "There's a woman who cares about the environment." Won't you give me another chance Alice? At least let me buy you a new vest?

Oh, you don't have to do that.

Well, could I buy you a plant then?

Oh George, you're sweet. You know, I actually do need some organic vegetable starts for the sunny spot in my garden. You could get me some of those?

Sounds good. Let me take you to my favorite nursery.

They stand and walk to the door.

This will be fun, George. I wonder if we have the same favorite nursery? I'm really looking forward to growing my own vegetables in the front yard this year.

Vegetables in the FRONT yard, Alice?

They stop and stare at each other. Alice sighs.

George, haven't you heard of edible landscaping?

Well, no.

Did your mother tell you it was tacky to grow vegetables in the front yard?

Well, yes.

Alice heads out the door.

Come on, George. Before your nursery, let's go around the corner to Malaprop's. I want to show you some books by Rosalind Creasy....

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Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Cupid's garden


Psyche Opening the Door into Cupid's Garden, c. 1904,
J.W. Waterhouse (1849-1917)*

Who knew Cupid was a gardener? Of course he used a classical landscape design. And a whole lotta lawn. But Cupid's not to blame; the anti-lawn movement was centuries in the future.

We're in Cupid's favorite week with you-know-what in the air. These are my garden loves. Yours too?

  1. Striped flowers
  2. Nibbling the first leaves of agastache
  3. Wild violets
  4. Rangy rhododendrons
  5. Garden swings
  6. Afternoon sun shining through redbud leaves
  7. Crows yelling at each other while they roost for the night

I got an early Valentine when the inspiring blogger Deja Pseu at Une femme d'un certain age tossed a Beautiful Blogger Award my way. In return I had to list seven things about myself. If you are a femme and hitting un certain age, drop those seed catalogs and rush to her always fab blog.

My Valentine to Deja Pseu--a candy heart that says TRÈS CHIC.

P.S. Gardening chic is not an oxymoron if you follow Angela's advice at Gardening in my Rubber Boots: use Armor All to shine up your Hunter Wellington boots. What do you bet Psyche had Wellies on with that pink gown of hers?


*Mr. Waterhouse was an English painter. This painting is in the collection of the Harris Museum, Preston, Lancashire, England.

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Saturday, October 24, 2009

Autumn evening



The Lovers (Autumn Evening), c.1888, Emile Friant (1863-1932)*


A reminder for all of us to stop with the raking of the leaves, the pruning of the wisteria, the dividing of the daffodils--and enjoy the quiet times of the season.

(Click on the painting for a larger image)

*Emile Friant was a French artist. This painting hangs in the Musee des Beaux-Arts de Nancy in France.

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Monday, March 9, 2009

Love blooms in Asheville, North Carolina


I feel like you're my soul mate, Alice!

I feel that way too, George, and it's only been an hour since we met.

Alice, I want to know every marvelous detail about you. Where do you live, my sweet?

I have a Tudor house in Montford--

My favorite neighborhood!

And I grow a lot of shade plants--

I do too!

Especially rhododendrons.

Native rhododendrons?

Oh, all kinds. You know George, there are so many pretty hybrids and I--

This won't work Alice.

What?! What do you mean?

I can't possibly have a relationship with someone who grows non-native plants.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Dicentra for Valentine's Day

Wishing you all a Happy Valentine's Day!