Well, if I'd taken pictures of the gardens before last Sunday's hail storm, I'd be glad to post them. Right now, though, they're recovering from the trauma. I think I already answered the question "how would you translate those values into a vision or system of gardening?" by illustration. Specifically: Curiosity as a way of thinking - I wonder what different plants might thrive in, or at least tolerate, these conditions? Suspicion of authority and conventional wisdom - I suspect that there may be options my neighbors and these garden center guys don't know about ... or don't want me to know about. Respect for intelligently filtered history - OK, this one's tough at the moment, but "You'll never grow grass because I've never been able to grow grass" is not exactly an "intelligently filtered history" that I would respect. Aspiration to higher levels of achievement - Easy: I aspire to a garden that is more/better than the run-of-the-mill. A garden that includes shade-loving, native plants, that will provide food and shelter for birds and beneficial insects as well as beauty, joy and inspiration year 'round. Vision for renewed potential in all things - Sandy soil, devoid of nutrients, with little capacity to hold water or nutrients ... how can this be improved upon or turned into a positive? Oh, and the no-longer-used-still-sturdy-but-now-in-the-way two-story playtower my oldest son built (at age 16) for his little brothers: as it was being dismantled to make way for a small greenhouse I realized it could be reconfigured into a nice little gazebo and set by the side of the koi pond. Nestled under a dogwood among hydrangeas, pieris, mock-orange, perennials and spring-flowering bulbs, it now has orchids hanging on the posts, baskets from the beams and rails, and a hardy jasmine climbing up one corner post (and probably countless spiders under its floor). Tendency to invent private systems - How to identify, locate and acquire appropriate plant material - at an affordable price - when it is not readily available. And if I can't improve the soil in my entire yard in one fell swoop, and get all the plants I need now, how can I phase this in over time, and yet have it look at least decent while still a work-in-progress? (Though I have come to realize it will be a work in progress as long as there's breath in me ... and that's exactly as it should be.) Reinvention and perfection of former skills - researching, networking, experimenting, project management (as it's now called) ... Accepting the challenge of the difficult - All of the above ... while A) working full-time (in order to afford this obsession) and later B) taking care of young children and, finally, C) working full-time again, but now a little older, with less stamina, a much crankier back ... and even more ideas! As I said before, for me it's been interwoven in all facets of my life, personally and professionally. I took it for granted that everyone thought this way, but was rather rudely disabused of that notion. In fact, I've discovered it sometimes frightens people, causing them to become defensive, hostile and/or ridicule the person or concept. On the other hand, the people I have met and known who exemplified the aforementioned eight Renaissance principles, which so closely resemble Gelb's da Vincian principles, have been among the most interesting, congenial, open-minded, and generous people I have ever encountered.

Well, that is certainly an askew interpretation of enlightened opportunity, Eric. I prefer to believe that adherence to a proven set of values actually enables one to acquire an uncommon level of performance --- an uncommon level simply because that personal trait is so uncommon. Perhaps an old IronBelly Axiom applies: Exceptional people are not normal." -- (Consider the many interpretations.) Speaking of interpretations: On the surface, "Maximize your pleasure" or "Take time out to enjoy what you've created." will garner some ready agreement. You will even obtain a modicum of accord from me. However, I find as much enjoyment during the creation process as I do in taking time out after the fact. Where these types of feel good justifications begin to falter is when they become tempered by persons who choose not to adhere to a proven set of values like, "Everything matters". I can remember being asked to view some gorgeous dahlias a few years back. The gardener raved on and on about their beauty. They were, in fact, superb examples of floriculture. It was just something about the staking of the plant Perhaps it DID matter that the staking system consisted of old 2 X 4Âs and panty hose. Perhaps a little background into my pet peeve of the oft-heard: "As long as I like it, that is all that matters!" Whenever I hear this example of intellectual laziness, it automatically conjures up an ugly memory of a garden that I once visited on a multi-garden tour. This gardener had a shady, damp property with several large, rather steep, off-camber slopes. She had laid some small flagstones for paths. However, she just flopped them on the surface of the ground without any preparation of adequate base.  It really doesnÂt matter, ya know, because SHE liked it and that is all that matters!  As the tour proceeded and several, younger able-bodied people began to slip and fall on this "good enough" installation, most older people abandoned looking at this area and went around the property, avoiding this section. A second bus load of folks appeared and leading the pack were some older ladies. As one of the ladies lay at the bottom of the slope with blood from the bump on her head combining with the blood root plants growing beside the path (how appropriate), many folks began to complain about the slick, wobbly flagstones. When it was suggested to the owner that she really should have the flagstones properly installed, her reply was the classic, "As long as I like it, that is all that matters!" Grrrrr Sorry. Everything really DOES matter. My stand on gardening is in full agreement with the title of Thomas ChurchÂs book, Gardens Are For People. (*** Note that "people" is plural.) As part of my personal set of values, I hold that gardens are meant to be shared, not coveted. In fact, if you wish to supercharge and elevate the advice, "Take time out to enjoy what you've created." I say, "Share what youÂve created." It is only a little thing... but it seems to matter. IronBelly  on a Sunday morning rant.

Playing jacks on a dusty road Cars driving by with windows down soiling the air with the smell of gasoline Fearing dark came before the game of jump rope was over Fireflies in the late afternoon humidity Giggling from all the silly girls who liked the silly boys Putting on lipstick and trying to wipe it off before heading home The swoosh of brooms sweeping the dirt yards made by old ladies and used by all ladies My grandmother's voice calling, "soup's on" to let me know I need be washed and and home soon, at the table in 5 minutes. Running by the arbor so as not to waste time, my dress catching on thorns, and savoring the fragrance while freeing my dress without tearing, thus, hastening my grandmother's rage lest she have to do a patch job. Pulling the flower heads off the bushes to float in water on the dinner table by dim light so the room's fragrance was more floral and less salt pork and dried cooked beans Dreaming of a day I would wear proper roses in a corsage for a ball when prince charming came picked me up in his convertible, and we dined by candlelight at a table with the smell of roses and glow of love.

I finally just read all of these posts and noticed Martin's saga of the Yellow W55. I'm sure that everybody sees through his cr*p, but I'm going to have to call bullsh*t on at least part of his story. Martin hints that credit cannot go to Dr. Raabe in the catalog blurb because this might somehow tarnish his image. Yet Martin clearly identifies respected emeritus professor Dr. Robert Raabe in an earlier post. He seems to believe that long lost journals are going to note the missing seeds from this precious tomato (a tomato so precious that it was never released). Martin said that Raabe took some seeds, not that he ripped the entire plant out of the ground. And if some reputation tarnish will develop, we all know who took those seeds now, don't we? Thanks, Martin. Martin, if you want to be the great savior of all things Wisconsin, have at it. Just have a little honesty in the process. I like WI cheese as much as the next guy, but yours really stinks. Now back to more important things. My wife made it worth my while to take the Dubya bumber sticker out of my truck before the election. I am willing to compromise for peace.