HerbnArts

     ...We always called it "the duty".  Every Memorial Day my grandmother and mother took me along with them as they did the spring clean-up of the various family cemetery spots. They called it "dressing the graves".  I was the next generation being taught to respectfully care for the family grave markers.  Grandma always brought flowers from her garden and packed a basket with clippers, a scrub brush, copper cleaner and a jug of water.  I learned by quietly watching what would one day be expected of me  Over the years I went faithfully to the cemetery to perform the duty.  Though I offered to take my cousins with me, they all declined the invitation.  They never knew where any of the family were buried.  That willful ignorance never made any sense to me.  The duty was never a sad task.  I always looked forward to the visit to the cemetery.         It had been such a harsh winter i...

      ...Spring is in full operation here in Ohio.  The gardens are all coming alive with the early blooming plants as the amazing miracle of seasons offer their living hope of the day.  Color is exploding everywhere.  One of my gardening rituals is that of visiting local public gardens to see how they are progressing after the big winter snooze.  Catnip   Feverfew   Lady's Mantle   Lily of the Valley   Sweet violet         It is warm today in the upper 70's by noon.  The usual spring rains keep watering all the new growth around us.  Today's travel took me to Green Leaf Park located on Medina Line road.  For many years the park has been home to a small log cabin, around which a delightful herb and flower garden lies. It was this public herb garden that had me making a seasonal check to see how it was doing.  For the passed few years ...