Great Day at the Outdoor Education Center

I survived and nobody was buried in the bog. Thanks for you support and concern.

The Outdoor Education Center worked like a charm as a classroom. The traffic was easy to manage as the path is an oval traveling the whole distance of the garden and back. The students came in groups of thirty or so. We broke the talk into short explanations of garden plots and plants by me and then a man explained rain water harvesting, our water shed and the mechanics of the gardens. Then I took it back and talked about plants. Then another man talked about rain barrels. Then I talked about plants. finally a man talked about how rain gardens function. Silly boys, don't they know it is all about the plants. I really enjoyed myself. Only one kid asked if we grew pot. Another did not understand the word scented. She thought it was a verb or something. The question was, "How do you scented a plant?" I should have suggested she speak to her English teacher. Otherwise, they were bright kids and well mannered.

Sorry no pictures. I was too busy talking about plants.

The Students are Coming, Be Afraid Very Afraid.

Tomorrow, several hundred high school students will be visiting the Outdoor Education Center in Kaufman. I will be there for several hours. Keep me in your thoughts. If I don't show up tomorrow night with a post, come look for me. Make sure they didn't bury me in the bog.

Seriously though, it is very exciting to be using this project for what it is intended, education. I am very proud to be a part of this project and exceedingly happy we have the dedicated master gardeners who made it happen.

Still, don't leave me buried in the bog. Seriously.

Magic Day

 

Today was the day. The day that spring actually “arrived.” The Confederate jasmine is beginning to bloom and scent the air. Roses are putting on their full show. Salvias, lilies, guara, and many more are popping out buds and blooms. The weather was warm. There was that special light at sunset that seems to happen only at this time of year. The soil is moist and all of the plants are thriving. The weeds are flourishing as well, but they are so green they look beautiful too.

Watering, weeding, and planting were pure pleasure, as were the smells of spring warmed earth and freshly turned compost. It was warm enough that my hair stuck to the back of my neck for the first time this year.

This was the day. The magic day that was just perfect for a gardener.

Git

Aunt Debbi is not in the mood for your antics.

Go outside and play.

Seriously, git out. It is a beautiful day.

Go on now. GIT:)

The Yelow Rose of Texas Part II

I made a phone call and did a little more research. Apparently, sometime this year, Nacogdoches rose, which was renamed Grandma's Yellow, will be declared the offical Yellow Rose of Texas. Nothing I read claims this designation has already happened. It is a beautiful, pure, bright yellow. This is a discovered rose, so I couldn't find a date.

For more information on Emily West Morgan go here

Yellow Rose of Texas

There's a yellow rose in Texas, that I am going to see,
Nobody else could miss her, not half as much as me.
She cried so when I left her, it like to broke my heart,
And if I ever find her, we nevermore will part.

She's the sweetest little rosebud that Texas ever knew,
Her eyes are bright as diamonds, they sparkle like the dew;
You may talk about your Clementine, and sing of Rosalee,
But the yellow rose of Texas is the only girl for me.

When the Rio Grande is flowing, the starry skies are bright,
She walks along the river in the quiet summer night:
I know that she remembers, when we parted long ago,
I promise to return again, and not to leave her so.

She's the sweetest little rosebud that Texas ever knew,
Her eyes are bright as diamonds, they sparkle like the dew;
You may talk about your Clementine, and sing of Rosalee,
But the yellow rose of Texas is the only girl for me.

Oh now I'm going to find her, for my heart is full of woe,
And we'll sing the songs together, that we sung so long ago
We'll play the bango gaily, and we'll sing the songs of yore,
And the yellow rose of Texas shall be mine forevermore.

She's the sweetest little rosebud that Texas ever knew,
Her eyes are bright as diamonds, they sparkle like the dew;
You may talk about your Clementine, and sing of Rosalee,
But the yellow rose of Texas is the only girl for me.

Here are the lyrics of the song. As for an actual "Yellow Rose of Texas" I have not heard that one has been designated as the rose. I read a news paper report that Grandma's Yellow received the honor, but nothing on the Aggie Horticulture website backed up that claim. If y'all have heard something I haven't please let me know.

As legend may have it, the yellow rose was a mixed raced woman who distracted Santa Anna allowing his army to be taken by surprise at Battle of San Jacinto on April 4, 1836.

Blue Bonnets Cryin in the Rain

 
 
 
 

Actually there were no tears just two crazy ladies who were determined to drive the blue bonnet trail. I met Nola of Alamo North at the Ennis Walmart and she drove me the whole blue bonnet trail. It rained cats, dogs, and humongous frogs. We had a good time anyway. Nola is excellent company and a great tour guide. Above are pictures of the blue bonnets, proof of frog, and Nola and me soaking wet. It was so much fun.

After touring the blue bonnet trail, we had lunch at a very good Mexican restaurant. Then we went and visited the few craft booths that were open. The weather really put a damper on the vendors. We both bought beaded book marks. Then we went to Nola's lovely home and had a nice visit. I got to see all of her plants and flowers and of course brought some home. I scored purple oxalis, hyacinth bean vines, a succulent. I met Chili the wonder Dachshund. Sweet little puppy he is too.

I had such a nice time and look forward to visiting again.

Thanks Nola.

This is also my On The Streets post hosted by VP.