I Simply Remember These Favorite Things, and Then I Can Smile All Day
May is Nature’s Way of Saying, “Let’s party”
A Plant: False forget-me-not, Brunnera
Brunnera in mid May, Authors Garden
I first saw this green-leafed plant in the UK decades ago and was taken with its ability to thrive in shaded, moist conditions. Then I noticed it growing in public gardens in New England and the Mid-Atlantic states, doing equally well, but I seldom saw it in garden centers or landscapes. It was functional, but hardly beautiful. Green being green …
However, in the early 2000s, everything changed. Variegated introductions like ‘Looking Glass’ and ‘Jack Frost’ became staples for growers - and gardeners benefited. Handsome forget-me-not-like flowers appear in early spring as the leaves appear. The foliage will remain handsome most of the summer if kept out of afternoon sun and soil moisture is maintained.
A number of newer cultivars are available, it does not really matter which one you try, they are all quite wonderful. Plants are cold hardy to about USDA zone 4 (maybe 3) and heat tolerant to USDA zone 8.
Brunnera, Authors Garden
A Garden -Jardin du Plessis, Loire Valley, France
The apple allee’
The Loire Valley of France is a popular travel destination, and why not? Lovely scenery, interesting towns, wonderful food, and some fabulous gardens. One of the lesser-known private/public gardens is the garden of Madame Rosamee’ Henrion near the town of Sasnières
This is a private garden, but often open to the public. Part of the garden has the obvious French formality of clipped yews and topiary, while other parts bear the English mantle of sweeping lawns and free-form gardens. Stone stairs, a lovely lake and waterfall, an apple allee’, and wonderful mature trees will welcome you to this Jardin Remarquable. If you have a chance to meet Madame Henrion, she is delightful - and very proud of her garden.
The garden is about 40 minutes from the fascinating town of Blois.
Jardin du Plessis (Le Château, Sasnières, 41310, France; phone 0254829234, e-mail jardin.de.sasnieres@wanadoo.fr or visit www.jardin-plessis-sasnieres.fr [in French only])
Jardin du Plessis
A Book
Charlatan: America’s Most Dangerous Huckster, the man who Pursued Him and the Age of Flimflam.
Pope Brock
Non-fiction
I did not know whether to call this book one of the most unbelievable stories I have read, call in a comedy, or label it as evil. Label it as you wish, but without doubt, it will keep your attention.
The huckster in question is John Brinkley, who called himself a doctor but was kicked out of medical school for drunkenness and absenteeism. That did not stop this smooth-speaking man from opening a clinic in Kansas in 1917 claiming he could restore lost virility by sewing testicles of baby goats into the scrotums of his patients. Before you protest in horror, remember this is a true account, and one I cannot make up. He turned goat glands into gold.
He claimed his surgery was 95% effective for curing up to 27 different ailments, and that no one ever suffered ill effects. The AMA did not agree and by the time he appeared in front of them in 1930, at least 42 people had died, but there were likely many more.
However, he was only getting started. He started a radio station, ran for governor of Kansas and became one of the most famous men in America. The main theme running through the book, other than audacity of this flimflam man is the decades-long battle to stop him, led by Dr. Morris Fishbein, who was determined to stop Brinkley’s hucksterism and “murders”.
This book has it all. One critic called it one of the funniest books he has read in ages, another called it one of the most unbelievable and yet another labelled it as truly malevolent.
Regardless, a very interesting read.
A Show/Movie- Total Control - Streaming show
We first meet Alex Irving, an indigenous aboriginal woman confronting a gunman in a small outback town. Her heroic actions are caught on mobile devices and go viral, resulting in the embattled Prime Minister asking her to sit in her Cabinet as a federal senator in Canberra.
The show captures political trust and betrayal, the historic abuse of indigenous people in Australia, and the balancing of family and career. We looked forward to the intrigue every time we sat down to watch Alex do battle with the government apparatus.
We did not know what to expect when we started watching, but the many paths of her life and those of her family were a large part of the drama. Her political relationship with the original Prime Minister, Racheal Anderson, boils over time and time again. And of course, the turmoil and concern about Alex in her her home town on the Outback is very much part of the story. Three seasons, and an excellent ending.
The excellent acting and well-done storyline kept us coming back for more
A Place -Copenhagen, Denmark
The botanic garden in Copenhagen.
Who doesn’t enjoy traveling through the Scandinavian countries? The fjords of Norway, the bridges of Stockholm, and the marvelous islands of Denmark. In fact, Denmark is certainly one of the more interesting places to visit; especially the birthplace of Hans Christian Anderson in Odense and of course the marvelous capital of Copenhagen.
It has been some time since we visited Copenhagen but some recommendations never change. If you can, rent a bike. There are at least two zillion bicycles in town - it is very bike friendly. The Copenhagen Botanical Garden is absolutely worth a visit and a trip out to Rosenborg Castle brings a little history to your time there. Take advantage of the waterfront at Nyhavn – it is really worth the time to stroll through the colorful, charming waterfront. Then do a canal tour by boat, kayak or canoe.
Tivoli Gardens is on everyone’s list, and although it is a little Disneyesque, families, kids and strollers love the themes, the color and the energy. The Little Mermaid stature is one of the famous Copenhagen landmarks, based on the tale by Hans Christian Anderson. I found it rather underwhelming but nevertheless, people seem to love retelling her tale.
Lots of walking, great food, happy people – well worth a visit.
A few bikes, everywhere