Each Little World

I break for plant sales!

Plant Sale madness kicks off this week with the Hosta Garden Companions fabulous Hosta sale at Tom and May Riddle's garden at 1809 Waunona Way, Madison. This event runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, beginning this Friday and running each weekend through May. I bought four Hostas from them last year at reasonable prices, but what was really great was being able to see each Hosta in a bed at its mature size and shape in a home garden setting. 

Then comes the West Side Garden Club's Sale. This group has been beautifying our community for 90 years as well as contributing to numerous civic projects, outreach programs, and scholarships (as do many of our local garden groups) via the proceeds of their annual plant sales. The gorgeous Japanese primrose (below) is one of many plant purchases I've made over the years at the West Side Garden Club's annual sale. It was grown in a member's garden as is the case with many of the items sold at local plant sales. As a result, this primrose has bloomed and increased for me to the point that soon I will be able to offer seedlings back to the sale! West Side Garden Club Sale: Friday, May 11 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, May 12 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 3918 Nakoma Rd. just west of Thoreau School and opposite Seminole Hwy.

Olbrich Botanical Gardens Plant Sale with the Pros is on Friday, May 11 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, May 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Olbrich Botanical Gardens. Note the name of this sale: it is staffed with pros so no question will go unanswered. I could go on and on about this sale because it is always superb. Check out the link because they offer so many extras at this annual event in addition to wonderful plants. We've bought many of our best trees and shrubs at Olbrich over the years. I often donate garden books to the sale and usually take home a couple as well.  Not to be missed.

UW-Madison Arboretum Native Plant Sale is on Saturday, May 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the tent next to the Visitor Center. This is the premier event for native plant folks whether you have a woodland or prairie. 

The Wisconsin Hardy Plant Society is holding their annual sale on Saturday, May 19 from 9 a.m. to noon. at the West Madison Agricultural Research Station, 8502 Mineral Point Road, just past the stoplight on Hwy. M. The sale is held rain or shine and this is a covered localion so you don't have to worry about weather. Just before this sale last spring, I toured a WHPS member's garden where I saw more wonderful primroses (above). And then, there they were at the sale where I was able to buy some in each color pictured. I've also bought a number of Korean maples (below) at this sale. Again, these are plants grown in local gardens so you know they should also grow for you. Though this sale is held later than many, there's always something unusual and unexpected at this event so don't miss it.

Full disclosure: I am a member of WHPS and on their board. I am also a member of Olbrich and the UW-Arboretum, as well as being friends with many gardeners associated with these and other garden groups. But in no instance am I receiving any remuneration, financial or otherwise, for my comments and support of these groups posted on this blog.

Click the links for details of each sale. You can also find a long list of other local plant sales in the on-line version of the WHPS April 2012 newsletter, beginning on Page 3. Most of these are open to the public but check the details to be sure that is the case, as some are member-only events. Most sales are also held rain or shine so come prepared for the weather.

Madison memo: Olbrich begins mulch sales early — today!

Double click on this poster to enlarge it so you can read all the details.

Woven Memories

March means it's time for the annual Ruth Ketterer Harris Lecture. Presented by The Helen Louise Allen Textile Collection, this year's event includes both a lecture and film screening on consecutive evenings.                                          

"Woven Lives/Vidas Entetejidas" 

 A film by Carolyn Kallenborn, Design Studies Department

Wednesday, February 29th, 6:30-9:00 p.m.

The film will be shown first and will be follwed by a textile viewing and a discussion with Prof. Kallenborn and Ana Paula Fuentes Quintana, Director, Museo Textil de Oaxaca 

“Marrying Tradition and Innovation: Collaborations between Oaxacan Artisans and 21st-century Designers”

A lecture by Ana Paula Fuentes Quintana, Director, Museo Textil de Oaxaca

Thursday, March 1st, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Both events will take place at: 

Ebling Symposium Center, Microbial Sciences Building

1550 Linden Drive, UW-Madison, WI

Both events are free and open to the public

. . .

 

The textiles of Oaxaca, Mexico are known for their vibrant colors and bold designs. The master dyers and weavers of Oaxaca who make them have inherited skills passed down for generations. Thanks in part to the work of social entrepreneur Ana Paula Fuentes Quintana, this rich heritage will endure through collaborations between Oaxacan artisans and international designers. The pioneering director of the Museo Textil de Oaxaca, Fuentes Quintana is passionate about preserving and renewing Oaxaca's vibrant textile culture by fostering innovation that respects tradition.

. . .

UW-Madison Design Studies professor Carolyn Kallenborn has participated in this exchange. Her beautifully crafted film documents the "woven lives" of some of Oaxaca's finest textile artisans working at this fertile crossroad between the old and the new. 

You can watch a trailer for the film here.

The above information is via the HLATC mailing and website.

A Valentine flower for your favorite gardener

Dicentra spectabilis 'Valentine' is high on my wish list of new plants for the garden. This version of the old garden classic Bleeding Heart has cherry red heart-shaped flowers that "dangle from arching, dark red stems in spring. This newcomer offers a different color than the typical pink form, but keeps the same tall, graceful habit of the old fashioned Bleeding Heart," according to the Klehm on-line catalog. In the photo from the Klehm catalog directly below you can easily see the color is as described. 

Tony Avent, in the on-line catalog of Plant Delights, notes that the flower color actually was as good — if not better — in person than in the photos he'd seen, having initially been concerned that the red coloration was more Photoshop than reality. He also points out that the grey-green lobed foliage emerges with a reddish tint. I've included the Plant Delights catalog photo below because I think it provides a better view of the foliage than the Klehm image. Even though the new flower color is the selling point, it is the foliage that we will live with for most of the season.

Though Dicentra spectabilis is often listed as a partial to full shade plant, in my experience it can take a fair amount of sun as long as it has enough moisture. It is hardy in Zones 3-9, and will grow to about 2' x 2'. Klehm's Song Sparrow Nursery is offering Dicentra spectabilis 'Valentine' for $18.95 for a 2.06 qt. container, 3 for $53.00. Plant Delights is offering it for $16.00.

Locally the Flower Factory also lists it in their 2012 catalog for only $9.00. I am going to take a chance that it will be available at FF and plan to get there early on opening day, April 21. Their plants are always good size and, at that price, if I thought it was too small I could always buy two and still come out ahead of mail order shipping costs. 

Textiles: The Whole Story at Monroe St. Library

Professor Beverly Gordon of the Design Studies Dept. at UW-Madison will read from her new book, "Textiles The Whole Story: Uses, Meanings, Significance" at the Monroe St. Branch Library in Madison on Monday, Dec 12 at 7 p.m. The evening will include a slide show and Gordon will have some copies of her book for sale. The event is free and open to all.

Not long ago I went to a similar event celebrating the publication of "Textiles The Whole Story" and the many people who assisted Gordon along the way. Judging from the presentation that day, this should be an equally entertaining and informative evening. The book is beautiful, filled with visual riches that the cover doesn't begin to suggest. It's a must for anyone who loves textiles. The illustrations include almost 60 objects from the Helen Louise Allen Textile Collection, part of the School of Human Ecology at UW-Madison.

Here's what the book's publisher, Thames and Hudson, says about it: 

"There are few aspects of our lives — physical, emotional, spiritual — in which thread and fabrics do not play a notable part. Beverly Gordon reminds us memorably and movingly of the powerful significance of fabric throughout human history.

The author bridges past and present from the Stone Age, when humans first learned to make cordage or thread, to twenty-first-century “smart fabrics,” which can regulate body temperature or measure the wearer’s pulse. Her discussion integrates art, science, history, and anthropology, and she draws on examples from around the globe.

A dazzling array of illustrations includes paintings and photographs of both historic and contemporary textiles and a broad collection of textiles being created, worn, and lived with."

Rally to Recall: Part II

At some point during last winter's protests, I began carrying a big yellow, hand-made sign urging people to vote for Kloppenburg in the state Supreme Court election. I thought it might help some marchers to see what the next step in this process should be. And indeed, by the last big rally in mid-March many people were carrying Kloppenburg signs.

This time I wanted to do someting different: I wanted to carry a sign that related to events in Wisconsin in a more personal way. So I decided to tell my story on my poster. It took a lot of words but I got my point across to other Wisconsinites at Saturday's Recall Rally.

In fact, dozens of folks stopped me to ask if they could take a picture — just as we had done with hundreds of other folks carrying signs last winter. I have to be honest and say that I did enjoy my short moment of stardom.

As we were all marching around the Square at the end of the rally, we realized there was a group of 50 to 75 pro-Walker protesters on the sidewalk by The Old-Fashioned restaurant. It was an interesting and odd moment because they looked like us, meaning they were clearly Wisconsin residents and not folks bussed in from elsewhere. They were doing the same thing we were: marching around the Square carrying all kinds of signs, most hand made, in support of their beliefs.

Folks in support of the recall were loudly chanting "re-call Walk-er"  which eventually changed to "This is what democracy looks like." And, of couse, this is exactly what democracy looks like: groups of citizens exercizing their First Amendment rights in a loud and messy way. I give the Walker supporters a lot of credit for having the gumption to show up at an event knowing they would be outnumbered by the thousands.

But a couple of things were noticeably different between the people on the two sides of this issue: A great many of the pro-Walker supporters were frowning and looked angry. Only a small number seemed to be having as much fun as we'd been having all afternoon.

Mark and I left the street and walked over to the curb. I was still holding my sign and he was taking pictures as he'd been doing all afternoon. I don't know if they felt threatened by the camera or what, but they had no qualms about yelling at us.

One man told me — in response to my sign — "That's the way unions used to be" and walked on before I could respond. A minute later a man jumped in front of Mark and started screaming at him: "I'm a Vietnam vet and Walker is the best governor we've ever had. Deal with it." I wanted to reply, "My husband was drafted in 1968 and served two years as a Conscientous Objector. Deal with it." Probably just as well that he was gone before I could get my mouth open. 

The pro-Walker people continued around the Square marching down Mifflin Street side and onto upper State St. where, after some apparent confusion,  they went down and then back up the 100 block. Most anti-Walker protesters were standing open-mouthed as they watched the other side. But by the time they got to State St. much of the crowd on our side was shouting the now familiar epithet, "Shame."

We followed, me with my sign and Mark with his camera still snapping photos. At this point a woman my age yelled at me so vociferioulsy that I couldn't even make out what she was saying. And then two guys at the tag end of the Walker group looked at my sign and turned to each other and laughed. 

I guess that is the issue that so many of us have with Governor Walker and the policies of the Republicans in Wisconsin and elsewhere: what is so funny about having to go to work as a child and growing up wanting something better for your family? After all, it is unions that gave us the weekend which made it possible for both groups of Wisconsinites to come to the Capitol on Saturday. 

Rally to Recall: 11.19.2011

A lovely Wisconsin day! The morning began with friends at our favorite coffee shop (where I gathered eight more recall signatures) and ended with a beer and sausage tasting at a neighbor's (where all of us had signed or were attending an upcoming recall petition-signing party). In between those two events we socialized with about 30,000 Wisconsin comrades at the recall rally on Madison's Capitol Square. 

The rally was an event that has become very familiar to citizens in Wisconsin over the last nine months and featured everything we were anticipating — like off-duty police and firefighters leading the march up State Street . . .

Many familiar faces: friends, folks we've met at other political events, and movers and shakers like Hizzoner da Mayor. Don't let his cranky look concern you; that's classic Soglin and how we know it's really him . . .

the ubiquitous red heart-shaped balloons . . .

there was music by the Forward Marching Band . . .

and singing of a rousing version of "Solidarity Forever!" led by the members of the Solidary Sing Along, an inspiring vocal get-together that takes place daily in the Capitol Rotunda . . . 

there were dogs in abundance  . . .

and Wisconsinites from the oldsters . . .

to the youngsters  . . .

There were also lots of well-dressed teens up at the Capitol for a big debating event. This group was from the Chicago suburbs and getting another kind of education . . . 

and, of course, all the wonderful faces, families, costumes, and signs that we've come to expect and appreciate so much that we have to share them . . .

Deer hunting season brought out the blaze orange garb and hunting tags used to hold recall messages  . . .

this gentleman has been a life-long school teacher . . .

This young woman is raising her recall petition high so anyone in the crowd wanting to sign can find her. I haven't heard how many signatures were collected at the rally but 105,000 signatures have been gathered statewide in the first four days . . .

This person's blue Wisconsin sign is covered with signatures on the back; everyone from our local member of Congress, Tammy Baldwin, to "the pizza guy" . . .

The crowd was estimated at about 30,000. We stayed on the concrete to help the lawn around the Capitol recover from the protests last winter . . .

We met these guys with the mamoth sign coming up State St. as everything was coming to an end and we were leaving. Don't know if they were late to the party or what . . . 

Despite all the things that were familiar, there were a couple of things that were different about this rally compared to all the other ones we've been to. Stay tuned for details. 

Here at last: 11.15.11!

The official start date to collect the signatures needed to recall Gov. Scott Walker occured at 12:01 a.m. today, Nov. 15, 2011. I just returned from picking up petitions at the west side field office. The parking lot was full and cars lined both sides of the street as I pulled up. There was a line of folks of all ages snaking down the hallway; everyone ready to go out tomorrow and get signatures. The atmosphere was festive and serious at the same time — kind of like the protests last winter. We're making history all over Wisconsin tonight!

I've been through the training on how to properly collect signatures and will be out and about doing that this morning as soon as it's light. If you are worried about GOP dirty tricks, go to one of the many recall field offices around the state to sign a petition. And remember, you must sign an actual paper petition; this cannot be done online. 

To all my Madison friends, give me a call if you want to sign a petition and don't know where to find one. We'll set up a time and place to do the deed.

For information on recall events, check out this ONLINE CALENDAR. (Don't worry if a world map pops up first; just wait a sec and the Wisconsin map will appear).

If you live in Dane County you can find NEIGHBORHOOD TEAM LEADERS here. You can join them or just find out where to sign a petition in your neighborhood.

There is also a list of STATEWIDE RECALL OFFICE LOCATIONS. 

And then there is the RECALL RALLY at the Capitol in Madison on Saturday, Nov. 19 beginning at 11 a.m. You'll get a positive jolt of energy and solidarity and be able to sign the petition all at the same time.

Recall Walker Kick Off Rally
Saturday, November 19 · 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Capitol Building, State Street Corner

Events kick off with a flash mob at 11 a.m., rally at 1 p.m. Please bring nonperishable food items for the "CAN Walker" food drive benefiting area food pantries. Shuttle buses will be running to and from the Alliant Center, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (cost is $6 to park there).

Who would have believed that nine months after we first went to the Capitol we would all still be fighting, working, organizing and converging on the Square again wearing our winter coats! My boots are still covered in mud from the Welcome the 14 Back Home rally last March. But I'm cleaning them off to hit the streets again.

Solidarity, Forever!

Party like it's 1991!

That's the year that the Bolz Conservatory opened at Olbrich Botanical Gardens! That wonderful building and the living environment it houses are now so much a part of Olbrich and the larger community that I can't imagine life without its tropical splendor — especially on a cold, snowy day like today. The celebration kicks off this Friday with Party Under the Palms — food, music and entertainment in the conservatory after dark!

There are events all weekend for both kids and adults including an opportunity to meet scientist Meg Lowman, one of the world's first "arbornauts," who uses all sorts of structures to explore tropical treetops, home to approximately half of planet Earth's biodiversity. The photo below gives you a good sense of why she's called  "Canopy Meg"!

There are so many special events — some of them ongoing — that you should check out all the details, days and times on Olbrich's web site. You can also celebrate the conservatory with a gorgeous limited edition Anniversary poster with a photo of the Bolz Conservatory taken by local photographer (and gardener) Zane Williams.

WWBD?

"What Would Bob Do?" has been the catchphrase around Wisconsin ever since Governor Walker took office. Bob, of course, is Robert M. "Fighting Bob" La Follette, one of this state's most famous sons, a renowned orator, Governor, and member of both houses of Congress. Locally his name is honored with a Madison high school as well as the UW-Madison's Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs. The great man's bust in the Wisconsin State Capitol was draped in flowers and messages throughout last winter's protests. His name is constantly invoked because of the stands he took supporting citizenry against the abuses of big business.  

In 1957, a Senate Committee selected La Follette as one of the five greatest U.S. Senators, while a 1982 survey asking historians to rank the "ten greatest Senators in the nation's history" based on "accomplishments in office" and "long range impact on American history," put La Follette first (tied with Henry Clay). 

That's why the annual Progressive Chautauqua held each summer in Wisconsin is known as Fighting Bob Fest. This year's tenth annual gathering will be held in Madison and the lineup promises rabble-rousing speechifying of the kind that made La Follette famous. It's an entertaining and inspiring way to share ideas on the issues facing Wisconsin and the nation — along with figuring out how to move from words to action. And, of course, beer and music. It's Wisconsin after all!. 

Friday night — that's this coming Friday, Sept. 16th — kicks off Bob Fest at 7 pm. at the The Barrymore Theatre with Dennis Kucinich, Thom Hartmann, Jim Hightower, Greg Palast, Ruth Conniff, Stan Gruszynski, and the usual local suspects like Ed Garvey and John Nichols. Tickets for Friday are $8.00 advance/$10.00 the day of show.

On Saturday, September 17, Fighting Bob Fest 10 with be at the Alliant Energy Center Veteran's Memorial Coliseum, running from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Pre-registration for Fighting Bob Fest is strongly encouraged and you can do it here.

To learn more, visit Fighting Bob Fest where you will find a list of speakers, the schedule for the day and more. See you there Friday and Saturday!