Sparkling Greetings, Classmates
The Grapevine is bursting with colorful contributions so let's light this candle! (Sorry, I couldn't control myself.)
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First, an update from Darlene Winship Creasy. On June 11, the horticulturist from the Columbus Zoo arrived to harvest the bamboo growing in Darlene's back yard.
She cut the stalks close to the ground -- took quite a bit (and still there is a BUNCH left). She said the pandas, both the giant and the red, have been extremely picky of late about what they will eat. She hopes my bamboo is acceptable to the red. She will let me know for sure in a couple of days -- said it would be great if they did since my place is close and she could continue to harvest from here.
I asked her how you go about transplanting bamboo. She said you would need to dig out a root clump with a sharp spade. The roots are very tough. Then just plant it where you want it. I also asked her how she knew about it and she said a man here in town saw it when he was at the dentist next door. The mystery is solved.
Because she was so captivated by the story of the red panda, Darlene tried her hand at painting one.
Quite successfully, I would say! He has been added to Darlene's album of art.
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Lots of people can juggle but Chris Bliss has a special talent.
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I received a note from Norman (Ron) McDonald, and, of course, I asked about his nickname. Prior to joining the Sheriff’s Department, Norman was in radio/television for ten years and when he relocated to Marion, Illinois to work for WDDD-FM, he started using Ron McDonald as his “on air” name, so very few people even know his given name.
In July, Ron and his wife Tish will move from their home in Illinois to the Rio Grande Valley in south Texas, where they have spent the last five winters. After retiring from the Williamson County Sheriff’s Department with 30 years of service, the two Sergeants McDonald (Tish was also a sergeant, now retired from the Illinois Department of Corrections) have sold their home, scheduled an auction, and will be taking the two cats to Donna, Texas.
Ron prefers the warmer climate since suffering a broken back in 2001 in a flying accident. With three pieces of metal and eight screws in his lower back, when he gets cold, he gets REALLY cold. To read about some of his flying experiences in Ultralights, you can check out his web site.
I had to ask, “Do you still fly?”
“No. I figure I have pressed my luck enough for one lifetime.”
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In 1984, Shirley Dorsey Ward started designing doll clothes by accident. While browsing through auction merchandise, she came across a doll that no one would bid on. She risked a buck and a hobby was born. You can see some of her dolls here. Each one has a story. Learn how Dennis Jackson gets a mention in a line-up of dolls.
In 1999, Shirley moved to Florida. Only a block away was a fabric/design shop in need of a seamstress. She landed the job easily and a career was born. Her ability to visualize and then create the most complex treatments has made her a hit with the designers of Naples. Here, let her tell her story:
I have been sewing professionally for nine years now. It is not exciting work but it certainly has been interesting. I have been presented many challenges from designers who know how to draw but not how to sew. What works on paper doesn’t always work with fabric. I have given up trying to teach them what different fabrics will do, and just find a way to make it work. That has meant learning to be creative. For the most part I make my own patterns. That can be time-consuming because many of them are quite elaborate. I love the challenge and so far I have always been able to come up with something that matches the picture. For a long time I never saw the finished product in the client’s home but our new installer has a digital camera. He always takes a few pictures. Sometimes I actually get to see them!
I get to go along on the installs only when something has to be finished in the home. We do a lot of work in the high-rises on the beach. These are my favorite to visit because the views are spectacular! I usually have to be pulled away from the windows. I get the job done but it always takes longer than it should.
On occasion we are hired to remodel a yacht and one job in particular comes to mind. I went along to help with the installation but it was before my hip replacement and let’s just say that I wasn’t very flexible. Simply getting aboard proved to be a challenge and frankly, I'm not so sure my boss thought it was worth the effort. I was practically useless to him, not only because of my hip, but because my head kept swiveling -- I had a jaw-dropping view in every direction. I would have loved to sail away with the ship to New England but The Boss frowned on that. He did manage to get me off the ship without either of us falling in the water. We have all seen the videos where the boats bob and shift and slide away from the dock just when you are ready to take that step. Thankfully, he was able to keep us both from winding up on youtube!
And for those who are wondering, I do not have fancy window coverings in my condo. I live on a golf course and I prefer to see the view.
You can see photos of Shirley's creations here.
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Have you ever wanted to meet Einstein? Now you can, and this is one smart bird.
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We have all heard about the storms and flooding that has hit the midwest. Columbus, Indiana had more than its share. Here is Nick Firestone's recount of events in his area.
Fortunately, our home was not affected by the flooding, which was worse than the 1913 flood. We live out in the country about 8 miles southeast of Columbus, IN, well removed from the river and creeks that caused all the flooding. One of the major losses in Columbus was the flooding of the Bartholomew County Hospital, resulting in the evacuation of all the patients. It will be weeks before the hospital clean-up is complete.
Cummins Engine, Inc. (my former employer) also took a huge hit and has some facilities shut down until further notice.
Several members of our church experienced total losses of their homes.
Even being familiar with the areas of the town that were flooded, I find it very difficult to comprehend how so large an area could become completely covered with water. The rain and flooding came about a week after tornados tore through Camp Atterbury - a military training center - about 10 miles north of Columbus and did about $50 million in damage to buildings there.
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Although we haven't had that kind of damage here, central Ohio has set a new record. June produced 10.39 inches of rain, almost three times normal, breaking the old record of 9.75 inches set in 1958. The weather has been a constant topic of conversation this year. Every time I groan about the weather in central Ohio, Dennis Jackson sends photos of Arizona. I'm beginning to think he is a secret agent for the AZ Chamber of Commerce. See his photos here.
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Roger Ross sent new spring photos of the koi pond. It is under cover and starting to green up nicely. The latest shots, shown below, have been added to his Hobbies & Interest album.
He would like to trade lotus seeds with other water gardeners.
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Cathy Crosby Vigor was in town recently. She was invited to participate in "Fabrics 2008" at the Quilt and Surface Design Symposium in Columbus, OH, where she won 2nd place. While here, she took a class on using texture in quilting, instructed by Rosalie Dace from South Africa. Cathy also has a piece of Art Cloth, "Fertility Cloth II", juried into the Bluegrass Biennial at Morehead State University. It will be on display until August 1. This and other recent exhibits can be seen on her blog.
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RECOMMENDED READING
Don't Tread on Me by Amanda B. Reckonwith
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JULY BIRTHDAYS
Robert (Robin) Morrison
Roger (Hille) Gledhill
Becky Ross Donovan
Larry Barrett
These birthdays were listed in the class directory. If I have overlooked anyone, please let me know.
MOTTO OF THE MONTH - Gardeners always know the ground rules.