Wheaton Garden Club Plant Sale

Possibility Place nursery is a purveyor a native plants. The nurserymen typically grow native plants for the wholesale trade, with retail sales by appointment only. 


Since they are located in Monee, more than an hour from Sleepy Hollow, my experience of their plants has limited to their online catalog and my purchase of a Burr Oak, which I bought in St.Charles at The Natural Garden.


The 2012 Possibility Place catalog included a variety of Spring plant sales / events in which they were participating. The Wheaton sale was the first on the schedule, so I drove down yesterday morning after Mass.


A cool, grey, morning I'd hoped the weather worked to my advantage. Although I did not know what to   expect. 


In fact, the sale was well attended. 


Many of the items on my wish-list were not available, but a Blue Beech sapling - a tree about which I've frequently read and is supposed to be an outstanding understory tree - caught my eye. 


A rare photo of me in the garden . . . .

  

Goslings

In Spring we always enjoy additions to the neighborhood. 

Canada Geese, who mate for life and tenaciously watch over their young, remind us how basic our tasks in life actually are: ensure the babe are readied for flight.

NJHS

Recently Arianna was asked to apply for the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS). As a result of exemplary conduct in school and excellent grades, her teachers believed her to be a good candidate. Although Arianna was happy to be asked, the application -- nothing more than a short questionnaire that allowed her to describe herself -- became daunting insomuch as Arianna hadn't much in the way of extracurricular service projects. After a few tears, some encouragement, and validation from her teacher that the questionnaire was simply a means by which to better get know the candidates, Arianna completed and turned in her application.


And, without hesitation, it was accepted.


This evening the 6th graders who'd been asked to join NJHS were inducted into the St. Catherine of Siena Chapter. Bruno, Sharon, and I proudly accompanied Arianna to the ceremony.


Some words from the faculty sponsors and current officers were met with a variety of emotions . . . .

Caught . . . .

After the solemnities, the new inductees were called up one by one to sign the charter . . .

. . . and receive their certificate.

Arianna's friends were inducted into the NJHS too. Peyton J . . .

and Brigid B . . . . 

Although cake and treats were waiting, the 6th grade inductees entertained their parents wishes -- if for only a moment . . . .

Sweets . . . .

Need I say Sharon and I are happy with Arianna's academic performance? 


Of course, books are just one facet of one's education. I'd have liked Arianna to volunteer to serve Mass like Peyton and Brigid -- if for no other reason than to extend herself. In time, she'll understand that discomfort in unfamiliar circumstances is natural and not a reason to limit your opportunities to serve. These experiences are just as -- if not more -- important than academics.


All in good time, I suppose.

All around the table

Continuous, delightful weather. Although a bit nippy at night, days are dry, sunny, and warmer than we typically expect at this time of year.


Although I'm out in the yard, Bruno has little more to occupy himself with than another puzzle. He and Sharon picked up a box of a half dozen at the thrift store.

And, they're off and running . . . .

Arianna? Oh, she's started a scrap book.

Therapy

I cannot begin to describe the day-to-day interactions we have with Bruno. As he approaches his 90th birthday, he vacillates in mood -- impacting the weather of the house so dramatically that none of us ever know what to expect.


Although puzzle making had previously been an activity for the gray days of Winter, this year, upon finishing one, Bruno immediately asks Arianna to go into the basement storeroom and pick him another. Apparently his being occupied at something other than tidying the kitchen and reading occupies his mind. And to the extent it does, it is therapeutic: fixing his mind on something other than his dissatisfaction with his circumstances.


For nearly six weeks, he's been building a 3D puzzle. A castle. Arianna and Sharon help, of course., but by-and-large Bruno's done most of the work. And today he finished . . . .

 

Harvest

The bizarre weather this Spring has been a continuous surprise. Although the Jersey Knight is only in the ground a full year now, I couldn't resist harvesting a few spears. 

Easter Monday

Whereas Friday - Good Friday - is a day spent quietly in prayer and at church, today Arianna and I celebrated the season by taking the train into Chicago. Arianna had been asking to visit the Art Institute of Chicago for quite some time. Since Sharon had to teach . . . what an opportunity for me to spend time with the apple of my eye!

We arrived downtown shortly past 11 AM. After we got our (my) bearings - why no rose compass embedded in the concrete outside Union Station, hmm Mr. Mayor?!? - we hoofed it past Sears Tower and into the loop.

I don't think Arianna was prepared for a day of walking. Not her shoes. Her get up and go . . . . 

After a short detour to the Rookery Building - a building cited in reference books Arianna used for her Frank Lloyd Wright project - we popped into Ada's Famous Deli for a bite to eat.

'Only a couple blocks more,' I assured her, as we crossed Wabash. Once inside the museum, we headed to the Thorne Miniature Rooms, about which Arianna had read after we last visited the art museum.


Having moved through the exhibit, we decided we'd just mosey here and there. So, up the 'Grand Staircase,' and look what we see . . .

Frank Lloyd Wright windows!

One's experience of the art museum is dependent on so many factors. Receptiveness. Attention. Imagination. Each person walking through the galleries experiences the artifacts uniquely. On this day, for me, Renoir's Two Sisters (On The Terrace) filled me with speechless delight. The color leaped out of the frame in a way I'd never experienced previously.

After a little less than 2 hours, Arianna was pooped, overwhelmed, and ready for a change of scene. So, we ducked outside, took a quick stroll through the Lurie Garden and then headed back to Union Station via Millennium Park. 

Can you spot us in the Bean?

We were a bit early for the train back to Elgin, so we enjoyed a lemonade in the 'Great Hall.' On the ride back home Arianna drowsed a bit. Too much walking? All in all, for me, a wonderful and memorable day.

Easter

He is risen! Alleluia!

Vigil Mass last night alone. Arianna was disinclined to join me. So, we were at church by 9 o'clock for the 9:30 Mass. 

Afterward, drove to Elgin for bagels. Back home, Arianna sought out her two Easter baskets, while Sharon laid the dining room table with bagels, cream cheese, and hard boiled eggs.

For the second year in a row, Barb and Greg invited us to Easter dinner. 

A relatively quiet afternoon. Mike and Greg channeled surfed between the Master's Tournament and the Chicago Bull's playoff game, Arianna played with Barb and Greg's dog, inconsequential conversation.

In the evening, Ben Hur - at least the first half - which Arianna found in one of her baskets.

Easter Eggs

Here we are again, on Holy Saturday, dying Easter Eggs. Although Arianna is older, she still looks forward to our all gathering at the kitchen table to make a colorful mess.

All smiles . . .

Eastern Red Bud

Palm Sunday


Arianna and I went to the Barn Nursery to look at Red Bud trees. Chilly, blustery, wet -- after yesterday's rain. 


2" trees were available. Had a nurseryman bothered to inquire after us, I might have bought a tree. But, since staff was scarce . . . . 


In all likelihood I won't buy a tree until after I pay my federal taxes.