Deirdre's Garden Diary: 2007 January

:: 01.27.07 ::

Anticipation
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Things are just on the verge of blooming. The Japanese Quince has a few scattered blooms already, and the Daffodils should be next! I also spotted a single Hyacinth sprout just coming up through the mulch. Spring is going to be here before I'm ready!

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:: 01.26.07 ::

Stuff Planted Today, Hurray!
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I finally got around to planting the onions. It's still a bit cold outside, but at least the rain has stopped and the sun was out long enough to get a few things done in the garden. Peas and carrots and radishes will be next!

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:: 01.16.07 ::

Getting Started!

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Well the Master Gardener class met for the first time today. We have a large group of extremely interesting people with a variety of gardening experiences. I am really looking forward to getting to know everyone.
Today was a basic introduction to everything...

Customer Service Representative Navasha (hiding behind the desk above) is the "go to" girl for parking validation...a VERY important part of the Master Gardener training experience!

We got settled into the routine by getting our badges and a large spiral bound notebook full of stuff to read over the next few months.

We were given a tour of the new office space where we will be doing some of our volunteer work helping answer phone calls from the public seeking help. They had a nice selection of reference books for looking up information and I can't wait to browse over the book shelves.

They fed us lunch and gave us some nice little gifts...a travel mug with extension logo, a nice blue notebook and pen and some little garden cups with spikes to help measure your water usage when setting up the yard sprinklers or even to gauge the rain... Nice!

Above, Cathy (left) and Vickie (right) check out the "halls of fame" a kind of monument to the successes of those associated with the extension programs. There are a variety of programs offered by the extension offices that cover a lot more than gardening, including health care and agriculture. It was nice to see that the local press regularly covers the achievements of the people associated with the extension programs and it's volunteers so that the public is aware of everything the services provide. Hopefully the public will continue to find it valuable and support it in the community. It does seem to be popular, and a benefit, since the volunteer services can help more people at less expense to the city. Seems like a win-win solution.

The extension office had been offering two classes a year, but now they have scaled it back to only one class. I think they said we have about 35 in this new class that I am participating in. Later tonight last year's class will be having their "graduation" dinner. I spied this colorful collection of succulents sitting on the window sill when we were taking our office tour. They seemed all wrapped up for a party with bows and pretty paper...hmmmm, me thinks some newly Certified Master Gardeners will be getting a little gift tonight at their ceremony. Congratulations to them...and I can't wait until it is my turn next year!

All the advisors are friendly and helpful, and Steve Chaney (below), the County Extension Agent in Home Horticulture, kept reminding us that we were there to have fun and make new friends. It seemed like everyone was eager to get started since we already had lots of questions about the things we will be covering in future classes. I know I feel like a sponge just waiting to soak up the info.

We also had some guest speakers from BRIT, the Botanic Research Institute of Texas. After listening to all the cool things they do, and after browsing around their site, I am extremely excited to do some of my volunteer work with them! So the first day was already fun and I am looking forward to Thursday when we start our studies with soil!

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:: 01.15.07 ::

OINK!

Today I'm inside because it's cold, rainy, and icy outside...and I am keeping warm by pumpin' up the jams... disco mix and all...and it feels good to have it loud and fun and filling me with hope for a new year ahead.

The Chinese new year begins with the new moon coming up on February 17th. It's the year of the fire pig, which seems to suggest that it could be a year of indulgence, possibly bordering on gluttony, so some caution with your actions and your decisions might be something to keep in check.

This got me to thinking about how this piggy year will play out in my garden. Most obvious it could mean indulging on some new landscaping materials and plants. There are lots of things I want to get but haven't because I'm usually on the "frugal" train. Now what would I want?
Let me see....
Some bricks to lay down for making a walkway around the raised vegetable beds!...oh, oh, not bricks... pretty flat river rocks! Yeah. And lots and lots of new flowering plants and shrubs! And while we are fantasizing...how about a new greenhouse, a new privacy fence around the property, and a big new shiny riding lawn mower...with mulcher! YEAH! Obviously I have no trouble adjusting to the decadence of a hog's personality.

When I think of the little pink ones I think of friendly creatures that are slow moving and lazy and maybe a bit emotional; squealing and snorting at anyone unexpectedly upsetting their comfortable lives. So it will probably be a good year for spending time lazily enjoying the gardens, looking at the flowers and lounging in the sun. It could also be a good year to finish up any projects left undone and put them to rest. I plan on doing just that. Keeping a slow and steady pace so that things get completed. Not sure how the squealing part could play out. I'm hoping for the best and crossing my fingers that the year doesn't end in slaughter.

I have some new goals set for this year. The biggest one is to complete the Master Gardener training and become a certified Master Gardener with the Extension Office of Tarrant County and sponsored by Texas A&M University.

The classes start this week so it won't be long before I join the other piggies in the mud getting dirty a lot more than I usually do. I will try to document as much of the process as I can here on the garden diary with posts and pictures about all the things I am doing as part of the program. I am really looking forward to it.

So today we dance to disco.... and next week, we plant onions!

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:: 01.02.07 ::

Saying Goodbye...

"Spring Dusk - Lake Ray Roberts", 1995 4 x 8 feet

The year 2006 ended with the sad news that my college art instructor, professional mentor and friend Rob Erdle had passed away after a long struggle with cancer. I wanted to start the New Year with a tribute, a way to celebrate his life and a way for me to say goodbye.

Rob loved the landscape and it was the most prominent subject in his paintings. His work is both representational, in that you can usually recognize his subjects... a tree trunk, blades of grass, a rock, and almost always some source of water (a ripple in a stream or lake).

He worked with the idea of landscape abstractly using huge strokes of paint and and flashes of light to give the work a breathtaking presence.

He challenged the traditions of watercolor as a medium and made extremely large works on paper that would hold their own against any large oil painting on canvas. You can see more of his
work HERE.

Rob was a key player in some of the most important events in my life including my artistic development and academic career. As his student, he helped give me more than just a knowledge of how to use watercolor paints. His greatest gift to me was his support. His assurance and belief in me allowed me to nurture self confidence in my art. He was my academic role model as I went from being a student to starting my own career as a college instructor.

He is the one who first encouraged me to seriously exhibit my art. With his urging, I entered and was accepted into the National Watercolor

USA

juried exhibition. My participation in that show resulted in the first major sale of my work and was a huge boost to my self esteem as an artist. I was just a sophomore in college working on my undergraduate degree and would never have thought to attempt something like that without Rob's suggestion.
Rob gave unconditional support and encouragement to many of his students during his time as a professor. I know I am not alone in my admiration and gratitude to him.

"November, First Walk"

Rob remained supportive of my art career after I graduated UNT with my BFA. With his help, I entered the graduate program at the University of Tennessee on a teaching scholarship and received my MFA. He came to Tennessee on a number of occasions during my graduate studies to lecture or give a painting demonstration or to attend an opening at the museums where his work was being exhibited...but he always made time to visit with me in his busy schedule.

On one of his visits I arranged for him to give a lecture about his work to the art students and faculty of UT. I got up extra early that morning so I could get everything ready. I needed plenty of time to clean up my junky art studio on the UT campus where I was supposed to meet Rob before his lecture. I wanted to make it look good for his visit and put on some coffee. When I walked in the door he was already there! He had been there for a few hours painting on one of his large watercolors that he had brought with him during his trip. “The janitor let me in”, he said smiling.

His energy, enthusiasm and love for what he did made him one of the most prolific people I have ever known. It could be exhausting for a lesser individual such as myself to try and keep up with him when in his presence.

It is one of the great honors in my life to have been his student and to have called him my friend. He will be greatly missed and his works cherished.

Goodbye Rob.
Wherever your spirit takes you, I know the janitor will let you in.

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