Home Again, Home Again, Jiggidy-Jig

Sunday started out pretty drearily. We had hoped to take a cruise to see the Pictured Rocks and then head out to Whitefish Point to sight-see, collect some cool rocks and eat some fresh fish. But the weather was grotty, which was a good thing for the firefighters up in Luce County but not so great for us "tourists". Theresa and I opted for the breakfast buffet at The Dogpatch (there isn't much else in Munising, as it turns out) and then, when the weather didn't improve but, in fact, worsened, began our journey home. Admittedly, I was anxious about the cats - I hadn't been away this long in a very long time - and the garden, not knowing it had rained at home on Saturday.

The drive was beautiful - the intermittent rain heightened the green of "all those trees" and we actually saw a couple pairs of Sandhill Cranes to the south fo the highway, feeding placidly in the gentle rain. We hit the Mackinac Bridge by about 11:00, stopping in Mackinaw City because Theresa wanted to get me some rain gear, which will be much appreciated, as I can't remember the last time I had a piece of attire actually designed and intended to keep me dry! Continuing south on I-75, we hit some seriously squally weather, only keeping going by maintaining a safe visual on the vehicles in front of us. We gassed up again and, just short of West Branch, Theresa took over the driving. Looking back to the North, we agreed it was a good thing we hadn't been able to see how bad the weather had really been and felt for the folks driving straight into the maelstrom.

Provisioned by leftover pasties, we were able to drive straight through to Roseville, getting Theresa home by 3:00 - we made the trop from Munising to the Detroit-metro area in about six hours. When I got home a short while later, Auntie Jeanne was hanging with the kids.

The trip was exhausting but worth while. Others are definitely in the future, so hopefully I'll be able to get back to the Pictured Rocks and have some fresh Lake Superior whitefish before the year is out! Stay tuned!

Announcements - Save the Date(s)

Aquilegia canadensis
(Eastern Columbine)

June 2, 2012 (Saturday), 10:00am-2:00pm: Annual Spring Garden Tour.  Cheryl's life-long love of Clematis and more recent obsession with native plants are both immediately apparent as you walk through her garden. Designed as a constantly-evolving teaching and learning space rather than a design show-stopper, her garden includes over 50 Clematis, representing over 10 species as well as large-flowering hybrids, and over 150 species of native plants, ranging from Spring ephemerals to large trees. Take advantage of this opportunity to become acquainted with some of the lesser-known small-flowering species Clematis varieties and the beauties of our native flora, including innovative cultural ideas for marginal species. Cheryl's garden was featured in the July 2009 issue of Michigan Gardener and she penned an article on native plants for the May 2012 issue of the same publication. The tour also features locally-created garden art and refreshments. The event is located at 3903 Grayton St., Detroit, MI 48224; call (313) 885-3385 or (313) 690-3385 or e-mail cenglish@blackcatpottery.com for more information. (If you or your group cannot make the scheduled tour dates, private tours can be arranged by appointment.)

Large Sunflower Leaf

June 9-10 (Saturday, 10a-7p, and Sunday 11a-5p): Royal Oak Clay, Glass & Metal Show. Check out 125 top-notch folks working in the "hot arts" - clay, glass and metal, in Royal Oak along Washington Ave. I'll be there - stop by and say, "Hey!" Great art, great music, great food and great atmosphere - what more can you ask for??? I'll have my usual display of garden-inspired art - Sunflowers (Original/Fancy/Deluxe, Mini/Tiny/Small/Medium/Large/Extra-Large/Ginormous), Daisies (Shasta/Gerbera/Black-eyed Susan, Baby, Small and Deluxe), Toadstools (Original/Deluxe), Toad Abodes (including Fairy Houses), Bird Bowls (Hanging or "standing"), as well as my newer creations, including Hot Pepper Tiles, Wildflower Tiles, Embossed and Applied Leaf Bowls and maybe a large Sunflower Leaf or two!

Phlox pilosa
(Downy or Prairie Phlox)

August 18, 2012 (Saturday), 10:00am-2:00pm: Annual Summer Garden Tour.  Cheryl's life-long love of Clematis and more recent obsession with native plants are both immediately apparent as you walk through her garden. Designed as a constantly-evolving teaching and learning space rather than a design show-stopper, her garden includes over 50 Clematis, representing over 10 species as well as large-flowering hybrids, and over 150 species of native plants, ranging from Spring ephemerals to large trees. Take advantage of this opportunity to become acquainted with some of the lesser-known small-flowering species Clematis varieties and the beauties of our native flora, including innovative cultural ideas for marginal species. Cheryl's garden was featured in the July 2009 issue of Michigan Gardener and she penned an article on native plants for the May 2012 issue of the same publication. The tour also features locally-created garden art and refreshments. The event is located at 3903 Grayton St., Detroit, MI 48224; call (313) 885-3385 or (313) 690-3385 or e-mail cenglish@blackcatpottery.com for more information. (If you or your group cannot make the scheduled tour dates, private tours can be arranged by appointment.)