This winter, so far, has been giving us a lot of what George used to call “Sibelius” days … grey, cold, snowy. And the Symphony Hall station on Sirius has been obliging by playing a lot of Sibelius.
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I am currently planning a long-term adventure beginning as soon as I can plant outdoors.
Have you ever heard of the Lilium washingtonianum?
That’s the botanical name of what we call a “Shasta Lily”. It grows only around here and to the northeast of the Mountain in the Klamath Falls area. So I wondered why it is called “washingtonianum” since it doesn’t grow in Washington (either DC or State). Turns out it was named for Martha Washington. The story is she was sent a plant back then and was intrigued. Of course it didn’t flourish (must be something about the volcanic soil?), but the botanical name stuck.
At any rate, I found a source of seeds … Mt Shasta Native Seeds. And that surprised me! The Shasta Lily is a lily, and lilies grow from bulbs, right? Right. And Shasta Lilies are notoriously reluctant to be transplanted.
However, it seems they can also be nurtured from seeds … it just takes a loooooooonnnnnnnnnng time … years in fact. Now you know why I said a “long-term” adventure.
I plan on starting some of the seeds (I got 25) in deep pots (I was told roots grow down deep – must be the reason they don’t transplant well), and also start some outdoors. Warning is that the seeds may be very slow germinating … even years. The first year after germination I am told to expect a short, slender stem. Next year or two (if it germinates or survives) that stem will grown stronger … but I am advised not to expect flowering until the 6th or 7th year.
It’s a good thing I plan on living another decade.
So, this coming spring I will find a sunny spot near the Courtyard where I can protect any sprouts from the deer (who think Shasta Lilies are a special TREAT) and close enough to my outdoor sitting area that, when they start to bloom, I will be near enough to enjoy the blooming aroma. You often smell them before you see them and once you’ve experienced that aroma, you’ll be hooked. George had a hidden plant (protected from deer and hikers who tend to vandalize by picking or digging) and every year he would bring me a blossom or two.
Please wish me good luck in this enterprise.
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Last weekend (which was a three-day weekend due to MLK Day) the family did a StarWars marathon. Friday night we watched “A New Hope”; saturday was “The Empire Strikes Back”; and sunday was “The Return of the Jedi”. They are Episodes IV, V, and VI … that’s the order in which they were first released (information for those of you who aren’t StarWars fans).
I remember seeing the first film released lo those many years ago when my boys were all so young. And I remember seeing a scene early in the film, about Luke at the Academy, which I have never seen since. I recall it clearly and without it there are later scenes that you have to take on trust without any backstory. As we were watching, I again told folks about seeing it the first time and not since (I can be a bore that way). Well … Mark is addicted to finding answers and was able to track down that scene. He found it on a BlueRay disc. The explanation is that theatre owners wanted it out because they were afraid the political implications of the burgeoning “Empire” in the story might affect audience size and it was never put back. Interesting comment on fear engendered by politics.
Family plan is to go on to Episodes I, II, and III the next time we have a three day weekend (because they are long films and bedtime on a school night is early).
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Back to thinking about plants …
George also used to bring me dwarf tiger lilies which grow wild along the creeks. I looked forward to them every year. Fortunately, I know where to look for them, unless the growth in residences around here has eliminated them. If I can’t find them, the grower who has Shasta Lily seeds also has seeds for them.
And I have decided my outdoor project for this year is to rejuvenate the Courtyard, which was neglected for the years I stayed close by George. I hope to replace the cast iron cook stove with a grill (for Mark), redo the pond (maybe with a solar powered pump), and redo all the planting areas, which were destroyed over the past couple of years, with an herb garden. First year garden will be the Shasta Lilies, arnica, calendula, comfrey, thyme, culinary sage, white sage, and one or two others. I hope to have learned how to post pictures by the time I get into that effort so I will be able to share my progress.
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Current books are more easy-read mysteries. Just finished one set in turn-of-the-20th-century Manhattan (whose heroine was a midwife) and am currently in Navajo country. I had been a fan of the Tony Hillerman books (even have several personally autographed) and am now reading those written by his daughter who picked up his characters and continues the tales.
Interesting aside is that I am constantly surprised, in current reads, at the things I learn which are not necessarily part of the stories. I don’t remember that being so prominent in the books I read back in the latter 20th century other than in non-fiction.
Last night I learned that Postal Service inspectors were predecessors to ALL federal government law enforcement agencies having been formed before the formation of the United States itself … by Benjamin Franklin in 1772. The Continental Congress had named him postmaster, a role he continued after Washington was elected President.
I also learned quite a bit about Navajo rug symbolism and use … but then I suppose that is germain to a book dealing with Navajo life and culture.
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Weather is still winter. The snow is melting during the day and revealing the empty spots under it around bushes and changes in ground level. I walk with a ski pole when I am outdoors now. Helps with the sudden drops in level and also with the sub-snow ice.
February is often more winter than January. I’m hoping for sunny weather even if it is cold. Then things should lighten up in March. Garden planning in April. Gather plants and seeds and start clean up in May. Plant in June.
Stay busy. It keeps age at bay.
Sadness and depression can often be overcome by going out and doing something.
So … ‘til next week …