Hello. It’s Jim. I would like to introduce you to my best friend. Firefox! Yes, that’s a poppy. But if you would take a short flight of fancy with me, perhaps you can imagine my best friend in that picture. Beautiful and elegant. Seemingly simple yet quite complex. That’s her. She’s shares the world with me. We’re in it together, Firefox and me. She’s my … Continue reading Firefox
The nasturtium. Such a pretty flower. Such a pretty name. But what to say where there are two? Good question. I have been puzzling on this for a while. That ‘…ium’ sure sounds latin to me. Let’s check. Referring to Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Fifth Addition, copyright 1942, the word comes from latin, based on the words nasus (nose) + torquere (twist). “Nose-twist, in allusion to … Continue reading Nasturtiums and Nasturtia
I swim in a sea of zinnias I need to come up for air I see another zinnia I forget the world up there I may be a fool but zinnias are cool They’re kinda three flowers in one Petals so bold round a ring of gold on a big, fuzzy bomb when they’re done. Continue reading Swim in a Sea of Zinnias
Summer feels she needs to make a dramatic entrance. She has finally decided the time is right to show up. She hopes everyone notices. She thought she would give the nice people of Indiana a break. Let them enjoy some nice, cool weather. Pretend like it is still Spring. But No! She heard they were beginning to make fun of her! She heard they were … Continue reading Summer’s Grand Entrance
San Diego, Indiana. That is what it feels like, anyway. I know San Diego is in California. I know. I’ve been there many times. I’ll be back soon. I love it there. I like the beach, the people, the scene. And I love the weather. Who wouldn’t love the weather in San Diego? It’s the gold standard of good weather, as far as I can … Continue reading San Diego, Indiana
The announcer’s voice booms out across the gardens. “Ladies and Gentlemen. Flora and Fauna. Members of the Garden Community.” The plants, the critters, the bugs and the birds all wait with rapt attention. The tension in the air is so thick you could cut it with a machete. This is it! The moment is at hand. “It is my honor and pleasure to announce the … Continue reading The Big Winners
Live from WIJG radio. “Well, Tom. It’s that time again.” “Yep, Joe. It sure is. Judgement day! The day the Gold Medal the 2014 Summer Bloom Season is announced. Boy, I can feel the tension and excitement around me.” “Oh yeah! The crowd is electric. Just think, a whole season of growth, bloom and show all boils down to this. Let’s take a look at … Continue reading The Summer Olympics
Surprise! It’s Surprise Lilly time in Indiana. Some people call them Naked Ladies. Others call them Ressurrection Lillies. Technocrats call them Lycoris Squamigera, a member of the amaryllis family. I call them tricky. They come up early in the spring in the form of lush green foliage. Here they are back in early April, standing tall over the young shoots of Trout Lillies and Daylillies: … Continue reading Surprise!
In Jim's Garden 