The month looks pretty much all about snow. With over two feet of it already on the ground, there’s not much to do garden-wise. I’m going to use this down time to paint, write and catch up on reading and paperwork. The garden is never far from my thoughts however.
In the spirit of the season, I’m sharing some of my poems and art. I hope it’ll give you reason to pause, breathe and live in the moment, in the season.
February
The shortest month grows the longest
list of plants yet to be planted
The perfect garden patiently awaits.
Snowfall
Angel feather snow floats softly
Settles on earth deep in slumber
Squirrel decides to sleep in.
Under The Pile Of Snow
Under the pile of quilted snow the snowdrops are stirring Restless green ready to meet the golden light of a newly hatched world.
February Fervor
Golden sunsets
part leaden skies
Frost and fire
earth shifts and sighs..
Wild, untamed
landscapes wait
Restless slumber
at Spring’s gate.
Crystal snow
melts in drips
Plumping roots
greening tips.
Flowing sap
send hearts aflutter
Weather and emotions
soar and splutter.
Note: The Great Backyard Bird Count is this weekend! Don’t miss out! Get participation details.
Summer started yesterday – unofficially. Despite the sameness of our days at present, this puts one in the mood for injecting more lightheartedness into them. The daily demands of work and home continue of course but, with the heavy spring tasks in the garden all done, I’m more than ready to sit back and let the games begin so to speak. I seek lighter reading material, shows with less angst and heaviness to watch, games to play that are less about competition and more about creativity, easy recipes with seasonal ingredients and I even find myself choosing to dress more colorfully ( but still comfortable).
Based on those sentiments, I discovered a thoroughly entertaining show. ‘The Big Flower Fight’ is a competition which Netflix describes as “ten pairs of florists, sculptors and garden designers face off in a friendly floral fight to see who can build the biggest, boldest garden sculptures”. It kinda reminds one of the Great British Bake Off but not quite as polished in its production. That doesn’t matter though. The show demands out-of-the-box thinking and what each team comes up with is inevitably outstanding and unique.
To be honest, I was a little skeptical when I began watching. So many ‘face-off’ shows have teams insulting each other and even trying to sabotage their opponents’ work. It always makes me uncomfortable to watch people displaying their worst traits. But that is exactly what those shows seem to be designed for. More remarkably, they garner such huge audiences, that one has to wonder what this says about the human race. The shows become all about the individuals instead of the challenges. Not this one. Like the aforesaid baking show, the Big Flower Fight is pure fun to watch. And subtly instructive.
There is no backbiting, nastiness or plain bad behavior from the teams. The judges are fair and kind – something we need desperately in our lives today. Creativity is at the forefront. There is humor too. One doesn’t have to be a gardener or an artist of any sort to enjoy the show. But it will have you thinking about what you would create if you were participating. We get to be armchair creatives. And critics. The teams themselves have quite a few zany characters and they add to the entertainment. One warms up to all of them very quickly. Overall, it is a delightful escape.
I binge watched the eight episodes. I’m now wondering what I might have come up with for each of the challenges. No doubt, such endeavors teach something about oneself. If I find myself with more time, someone I work well with to be my co-collaborator and a source of (preferably free) supplies, it might be interesting to try my hand at creating at least a single sculpture. Any takers?
Note: A few images to give you an idea about the Big Flower Fight and some others about what’s doing in my garden.
‘ Art In Bloom’ the poster said. Paintings of flowers I
thought. It was so much more.
Weston, a quintessentially charming Vermont town best known for the
legendary Vermont Country Store and its thriving eponymous playhouse.
I have, over the years, discovered that this little place has some
mighty impressive events and highly energetic, innovative and
generous residents. For all those of us ( my hand is up) in and close
to New York City who assume everything interesting and noteworthy
happens in our neck of the woods, Weston is there to say “not so
fast’.
The annual antique and craft shows are world class. While the craft show is restricted to Vermont artisans only, dealers from all over the country participate in the antiques show. With none of the uber-hype and big city ‘sophistication’ getting in the way, they showcase the best of Vermont. And the best is precisely that.
This past weekend, I was in for an unexpected treat in the show ‘Art In Bloom’. Not simply art on display, it was a show of flower arrangements by members of the local garden club inspired by paintings donated by local artists. While we are all accustomed to art inspired by nature and still-life paintings of floral arrangements, it was a nice twist to see what a person could do with flowers to interpret art. And quite a challenge it was.
The art works of mostly paintings and a couple of lovely examples of
fiber arts, ranged from renditions of flowers to still-lifes with
flowers to landscapes and abstract art. I imagine the abstracts and
some of the landscapes must’ve been particularly challenging. How
does one interpret a snow scene, a covered bridge, a musical
instrument or a frog? Well, the members of the Green Mountain Garden
Club rose to the occasion splendidly. From the literal to the
imaginative, artistic, thoughtful and creative, each arrangement
interpreted its corresponding artwork handsomely. Clearly, the flower
arrangers knew their flowers and plants, understood nature, had a
sense of humor and appreciated the arts very well.
I had come to this exhibit out of curiosity. Having never been to
such a ‘reverse’ pairing of art and flower arranging, I had no
expectations. So, it wasn’t just a welcome surprise – here was a
wonderful demonstration of creativity and artistry. I was taught, I
was inspired, I was humbled.
I came, I saw, I ascended.
Note – I’m giving myself the challenge of creating a flower arrangement inspired by a favorite painting. Maybe you will do the same? Please share!
Depending on the device on which you’re reading this, some of the images below will appear on their side. I do not yet know how to rectify the problem. I apologize!
A new year has begun! With it arrives new hope, new goals and, new beginnings. In the process of getting myself prepared for the year that lies ahead, I’m taking the time to review the one that just passed. The highs and the lows are both meaningful and relevant – they give me purpose and direction. My Amaryllis ‘tree’ begun this past year in December is entering the new year with grace and promise – much as I myself aspire..
The tree came into existence as an experiment of sorts. Science and art uniting to give creative aplomb to an otherwise ordinary space. Well, it has proved a success. Dubbed a pathetic variation of a ‘Charlie Brown tree’ by my oh so jaded 20 year old, it admittedly started off looking inconsequential. Even a bit odd. But, having gardened long enough, I knew this was no different from planting a new bed or hedge. Things don’t look like much at the start but, in due course they come into their own and create the very drama one envisioned all along. Very satisfying that.
So, I’m taking this tree as a foretoken of how I will approach this new year. An opportunity to experiment, think differently, try new things. Apply knowledge and understanding to create something fresh. Be bold. Believe in myself and the Universe despite certain nay-sayers. Be it small or big, let no opportunity go unexplored . Get out of the box and stretch myself. Just like the fierce, fearless, fabulous amaryllis, I have within me everything I need to bloom.
And said 20 year old has grudgingly conceded that yes, the amaryllis tree is quite stunning. I would say that’s an excellent start to the new year wouldn’t you?!
Happy New Year all around. Let’s make it the best one yet.
Note: See the Amaryllis tree for yourself. I’ve provided a neutral backdrop so the ‘tree’ shows up more clearly.