Posted by admin to Journal entries on 2007-11-22, 00:55:31

Happy Thanksgiving.

Readers, please bear with me. Recently, I was asked “about the term, sense of place, what does it mean?” and last night I remembered having written this many years ago for a class on the Contemporary History of the American West. So here goes:

I love being from the West. I especially love that my part of the West is Idaho. I was born in Orofino, Idaho, part of the Nez Perce Indian Reservation, site of a gold rush, and by Canoe Camp of the Lewis and Clark expedition.

My great-grandparents homesteaded a one hundred and sixty acre wheat farm on the Palouse. It’s still in the family. My grandmother taught in a one-room schoolhouse. My maternal grandfather was a Swedish immigrant, logging on Gold Hill when he was 12 years old. My father was a logger and a rodeo cowboy. My step grandad was a logger and my other grandpa, the postmaster in Potlatch. I can make a cake with bear fat and comb my hair with a wagon wheel…..just kidding about the cake and wheel.

Being an Idaho native and daughter of the West is a great part of who I am. I let it define me in all the best ways whenever it suits me: bold, romantic, beautiful, daring, ever-changing. The West’s finest attributes I claim as my own. And, with a certain amount of swagger inherited from the men in my family, I often lay claim to some of the rougher parts of being a Westerner: I can drive a truck, drink most people under the table and swear like a logger. I used to be able to do it all at one time.

I believe being a Westerner makes you strong. It especially makes women strong. Some of my most cherished women friends, the one’s from the West, are the strongest women I know. They can cook for roundup or forest-fire camp, ride for roundup, pull a calf, barrel race their horse as rodeo queen and yodel. Lord, I wish I could yodel.

My sense of belonging to this state runs deep. I have friends here from kindergarten. People in my hometown still know me by name. I’ve met all of the governors in office since I was a little girl. I have pressed and cataloged all the wildflowers of my county. My family members are buried here or their ashes scattered in the Idaho countryside. I love the trillium of spring, thimbleberries of summer and old forgotten homestead apples in autumn.

The most beautiful weather in the world is in Idaho. Once, I had to stop the car and catch my breath at the top of the Camas Prairie at Grangeville. The sky was violet-black and the wheat fields blazing gold, just before a thunderstorm. The wind caused ripples in the fields. Sun, rain, hail and snow, all in 15 minutes.

I have lived in San Francisco and near Washington DC and witnessed what Wallace Stegner called the stormy physical and intellectual weather of both coasts. And though I love having seen how the other half lives, I will always call Idaho and the American West my home. I have entertained the notion of moving to Montana or Oregon, both very Western. But it isn’t the same sense of place. I won’t be leaving. I can’t image not being able to say, “I live in Idaho… I was born here.”

Mary Ann Newcomer
April 5, 2001

(Note, I have another version of this that I hope they will use someday for my obit. Of course, I want to have the last word)

Posted by admin to Journal entries on 2007-11-21, 07:20:57

Hey all, as I mentioned a little bit ago on the radio, you can buy huge amaryllis bulbs in time to bloom for Christmas and be a do-gooder at the same time. The proceeds from the sale of the bulbs benefit the Idaho Horticulture Society. Call my gal pal Jan Haneke at 941-1754 to get some of these glorious jumbo bulbs. $15 for the single petaled variety, $20 for the frilly ones.

And check out www.colorblends.com for bulb kits. Minimum order is $50 but shipping is reasonable. On a $60 order, the shipping was just $10.

Posted by admin to Journal entries on 2007-11-20, 21:44:26

Have to get up e-a-r-l-y, way too early for me in the dark of dawn. To the radio station, that would be 94.9, the River, to talk about what’s new and fun for gardeners as we approach the holidays. They want to talk about bulbs and trees. I hope they fire up Tom Petty as I am driving in. Or Gnarls Barkley.

Tip: I potted up two glorious amaryllis this evening and felt so “garden-ey” doing it. One is a big double named Aphrodite, the other a single, white with red blush at the edges. I find myself staring at them to see if they are pushing green blades through the crown already. What? You say two hours is not quite enough time? I used warm water when I watered them in.

I just crack myself up. Maybe, I should be locked up for the crack ups. One minute I am stomping around here happy as a hell that the season is OVER -the growing season-and then next minute I am planting something. Whoaaaaaaa! Maybe its just the notion that I can plant these two bulbs, they have a relatively short time at center stage, and the fact they barely take up one square foot of space makes this type of gardening manageable. Manageable. Imagine that.

As I used to say about someone I didn’t particularly admire: “My, she has an astute command of the obvious.”

Sometime soon I will tell you about one of the coolest art installations I have ever seen. Hint: it was based on 1000 amaryllis bulbs.

Posted by admin to Journal entries on 2007-11-17, 15:05:19

I am so damn proud of myself. (Yeah, yeah, I know the old adage, pride goeth before a fall.) But I limited myself to 82 bulbs this year. Woops, make that 85. I have three lilies to plant and have no idea when or why I ordered them.

Anyway, I just finished planting 30 darling little tulip bulbs, tulipa acuminata. It took me three years to get my hands on them. I tried groveling at the feet of Brent Heath of Brent and Becky’s bulbs. I whined. I cajoled. None of this was pretty and worse yet, none of it worked. So, I put in an order, about a year in advance and waited. Paid (handsomely, $2.80 per bulb, an investment, right?) and waited. And then they were delivered. Brent and Becky’s catalogue says this about acuminata:

“acuminata - a difficult to find, rare tulip, sometimes nicknamed ‘Fire Flame’ tulip; long narrow scarlet and yellow petaloids with pointy ends; Heirloom 1813; 12″-18″; mid spring. ”

I’ll tell you they are RARE and difficult to find. I believe Brent and Becky are the only ones that carry them. They are sold out (surprise) but you may want to get on the list for next year.

I put all thirty of these in clusters near the front door. Front and center. Where I can keep an eye on them, and hopefully, I’ll be able to admire them in all their spring time glory.

Next in: 40 of the these little wonders: iris reticulata SJ Digt, dark purple. The catalogue says:

“reticulata ‘J. S. Dijt’ - purple with reddish purple falls; one of the latest to bloom and great with Chionodoxa ‘Pink Giant’; 1938.

Very small, extremely early flowering, fragrant iris that are perfect for forcing, rock gardens, woodlands, fronts of borders or creative ‘lawn art’; performs well in all types of soil as long as it’s well-drained; late winter to early spring; 4″-8″; zones 3-9; bulb size 6+cm unless noted otherwise.”

I found these at a local nursery and they were affordable. These are planted near the front door as well. They are so very early that I wanted them where I would see them. They are along the front walk, where I get the mail and come and go every day. If I had planted them in the back garden, I would undoubtedly forget about them.

Still have a dozen of so tulip bulbs, what variety, I have no idea. I think they are the dark pink/fuschia “Ballerina” lily flowered tulips. Love those things. Too bad I didn’t manage to stick a tag in the bag.

I still can’t figure out why I ordered the lilies. Guess I will google the name of them and see if it rings a bell.

For my friend Ed Bruske: I am roasting the short ribs for Dark Day Recipe Number 3. I made a big pot of mixed wild rice (Costco has a big plastic container of mixed, organic rice called Harvest Blend). Also whipped up some cream of celery soup. And coleslaw to go with the ribs. And to think I missed the big football game for all this fabulous domesticity. Uh huh! See me do the booty dance. Uh huh.

For my pal DP, I hope you made it home today. Hunker down, pal.

Posted by admin to Journal entries on 2007-11-15, 13:20:48

Sheeeesh. What a novel idea: Contextual design. Instead of subdivisions. Read the whole article from the New West here.

Now if only I could do something about the moron who slashed the crap out of the neighboring hillside. The one who is planning to install a palm tree nursery. You read that right, a PALM TREE NURSERY. In Boise, ID. Zone 6. The same goofball jerk who slashed the other side of the hill without a permit. Have I used the word moron yet?

Like I said, my new motto is, “I told you so.”

Just last week, a friend of mine lost her battle at city hall to stop her new neighbors from building a new building 5 feet from the property line. What the hell is the point of planning and zoning if the rules aren’t going to be used or enforced?

Uh,oh. Ranting again.

And here is a ps: there is a RSS feed button on Carlo’s blog. My bad. His good.

Posted by admin to Journal entries on 2007-11-15, 12:54:34

My gal pal, Lois DeVries, from New Jersey, sent me an e-mail today, introducing me to a couple new gardening friends, Carlo and Bob . I loved her introductions and am still giggling about what she had to say about me. Here is my rambling response and introduction (had to get even) for her:

Lois is my brilliant, smart-allecky Jersey girl. In a good year, I will get to sit next to her on the bus for an entire day. She has given thousands of hours in tireless community service to better her township and environs. I am in awe of her willingness to train, nurture and then give away seeing eye/medical companion dogs. She suffers from an addiction to gardens: big, small, any and all. She is a gifted, articulate author and has written a wonderful book about gardening and how it nurtures those who participate in this passion. (Note: still waiting for the manuscript). She travels but adores her home and garden. She loves good food, I can’t remember if she likes wine.

Does Carlo (Carlo Balistrieri, a fellow member of Garden Writers) have a dog???? If not, he should get one. And I wish he had an RSS feed on his blog so my reader would pick it up. Carlo, anyone with a picture of Lewisia rediviva on his website is good with me. I just spent 5 years helping to develop the new Lewis and Clark garden at the Idaho Botanical Garden. I hope to see your new gardens at Turtle Point someday.

Bob, I am insanely jealous of any one who has horses. And jumpers? I have never seen one in person but think they are exquisite. One of my very best friends in the whole world is named Bob Smith. In fact, my husband and I traveled to a football game in UT last week with our pal Bob-a-lou and his wife, RuthAnn. New Bob, you will love gardening.

Today is my new dog’s first birthday. I say “new dog” because we have had him only 6 months. His name is Cash, and his registered name is Cash is Good. His dad was Good Boy Bob. He is a Springer Spaniel, probably 90% hunting stock with a little bit of show dog for extra good looks. He has fetched 3 chukars (upland game birds) already and is torn between being a lap dog and a hunting dog. Before Cash, we had Lily, a black and white Springer. She lived 13 and a half years and was the apple of our eye.

And LoLo, what’s with this “antonym of conservative”? That cracked me up. You must be referring to my design style and the Pecos Purple guest bath - the one with the terra cotta ceiling and matching countertop.

My new motto is: “I told you so.”

And folks, when you see the weird comments over here on the right side, don’t click on them if they are in some foreign language or “in response to Defiant Gardens.” I am getting some very weird spam, I believe from Russia, they all end with .ru. If anyone knows how to get Askimet to catch this in the spam filter………please tell me.

Posted by admin to Journal entries on 2007-11-12, 18:17:54

This has been a most splendid day at the Newcomer house. I woke to 20 mile an hour winds and the giant reed grass, arundo donax, beating the daylights out of my bedroom window screen. The giant flag at the Simplot mansion was sticking straight out, flapping away to the west. The flag is about 15 x 30 and a half mile away as the crow flies. When the conditions are just right I can actually hear the thing flapping. Imagine the racket if you are living in the ‘hood just below the flag. Anyway, it has to be pretty darn windy to make it go horizontal.

Sooooooo, the said wind made all the leaves go flying. The sky has been dark and cloudy and menacing all day. About 3 pm, we had a snow flurry. Yippee skippee!

Well, I said, in that case, I better put on my domestic goddess/love slave apron and get to cooking up a storm. The cute husband has been outside in the rain and sleet and snow and cold, laying big sandstone slabs for a new walkway/garden area. One tough hombre, out there in the elements. One domestic goddess working away in the kitchen. The dog spent the afternoon running between the two of us to see who was more fun. Husband and dirt won. Then I saw the muddy paws. And the floor. And the rug. Uh-oh.

At sundown I just happened to glance up from my pots and pans and noticed the whole world outside was pink. Pink! Reflected sunset on the clouds, black stormy sky, snow on the Owyhees (30 miles away and stunning) and it was all good. I tried to photograph it for you but the pics weren’t so hot.

I thought of you, my friends, and sent you warmth and kindness and happiness.

It’s just 7 pm. I have a big pot full of Emeril’s Smothered pork chops and onions and potatoes. I substituted Idaho chorizo for the andouille he calls for in the recipe. I will skip the part about serving it over rice. Just happened to bake some enormous chunks of Hubbard squash, some for the pup, and some for us. Oh, and a delish sour cream apple pie with streusel topping. One of the apples came from my espalier. For the wicked, I just happened to find some of the new Ben and Jerry’s Creme Brulee’ ice cream. To go with the pie. Gilding the lily, I know.

Weather is beautiful, wish you were here.

Posted by admin to Journal entries on 2007-11-11, 18:17:58

Went to Logan UT this weekend with my pals to see the football game. I lasted most of the first half and only then because it was about 70 in the sun, the view from the nosebleed section of the stadium was incredible, I was hanging with chums and they sell hot dogs. I think the word for me is bon vivieur or bon vivant. I am a Western bon vivant.

Anyway, I took some snaps from the car at about 85 miles per hour. I am including those for reference.

And then this when I got home

The last of the rosa Chinensis mutabilis, agastache ‘Ava’, echinops ritro, miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’, and one small helenium. Any minute now they will bite the dust. For one last afternoon, I am loving every second of what’s left of autumn.

Perry Swisher, an old newspaper curmudgeon, once said to a group of us: “Hemingway did not have a lock on the notion that autumn in Idaho and at the 45th parallel was gorgeous.

Amen.

Posted by admin to Journal entries on 2007-11-11, 15:32:57

Friends, I do believe I forgot to steer the ship! You must go check out my gal pal Lois’s cool blog, she is here.

Lois and I have spent many an hour together on buses, traveling to gardens to and fro and yakking our heads off all along the way. Get this: she trains seeing-eye dogs (now, THAT’S admirable!). An author, community activist, rabble rouser, garden lover, dog lover, scout, well………just go over and read her stuff.

Posted by admin to Journal entries on 2007-11-10, 08:29:15

I believe the actual title of the song is “We Shall Gather at the River.” See, my mama’s family is devout Catholic; but my daddy, rest his wicked soul, sent me to Methodist Sundy school. Yup, Sundy. He called the preacher: the Squeakin Deacon. How’s THAT for irreverent? I recall the two old coots having a little sip of whiskey just to “take the edge off”. Indeed. Edge of what? I used to love Methodist Sundy’s. As opposed to the Episcopalians (my current albeit lapsed denomination), we sang good songs, like, Onward Christian Soldiers, This Little Light o’ Mine, etc. You get my drift. I am not sure we ever sang “We Shall Gather at the River,” but like I said, it popped into my head.

So, while you are PRETENDIN to walk through the neighborhood, you really are WALKING, but sleuthing at the same time. Look for some Lavelle’s hawthorne branches. I actually had to get in the car, drive about a mile, and under cover of darkness, stand on the bumper of the truck in order to liberate some of the Lavelle’s branches. It was a guitar and percussion store parking lot. I asked permission later, just to see what they would say. They said……………….yes. Of course, the booty had already been taken home and arranged but I made a big show of cutting just a couple (more) berry laden branches. You know, in good faith.

Did I mention I have an evil twin?