The Affected Provincial’s Almanack

BERRIES

2008-07-23T17:16:59Z

Went orchid ogling Sunday, then visited our friend's niece's blueberry farm. They haven't yet opened to the public, so we were allowed to pick as many berries as we liked (we returned home with enough to fill our kitchen sink). The heavily wooded ditches were full of catfish. Very strange. By midday the heat was too much, so we all returned home and took a siesta. Insufferably Arcadian.

The deer ticks were pretty lively, though. Despite our precautions, all of us found one in us. Just waiting for symptoms now. Et in Arcadia ego, babies.

~W

DIRTY BUTTONS: EVENING GARDENS

2008-07-22T23:20:25Z

Here is the latest installment of my ongoing gardening column, Dirty Buttons.

NEON BAY

2008-07-22T22:52:54Z

Visited my old hometown recently to see old friends, and took photos of some of the old neon signs that have become local landmarks. Can't imagine the place without neon lobsters.

What sort of textures did you grow up with?

INTERESTING BEDFELLOWS

2008-07-22T13:16:02Z

On Saturday, I received a speaking engagement query from the ladies of the Coatesville Garden Club and an interview/feature request from Weird NJ.

~W

BARN OWLS

2008-07-22T01:18:31Z

A couple barn owls visited us this evening. Lounged in the trees. Huge, magnificent.

PLANTANTHERA BLEPHARIGLOTTIS

2008-07-21T22:32:13Z

(NOT SO) EASY RIDER

2008-07-21T14:40:41Z

Our good friend Deb sent a link to photos taken of me at the Fourth of July parade. I like how this one came out.

(I don't know who shot it, otherwise I'd give credit.)

MONOTROPA HYPOPITHYS

2008-07-18T18:00:10Z

Can you see the difference between this stand of pinesap and indian pipe?

Pinesap lacks chlorophyll and is parasitic (myco-heterotrophs to you geeks), but is a bit more rare than indian pipe. The summer growth is yellowish, but the autumn growth tends to be pink. There are also multiple blooms on pinesap, unlike the single-bloom indian pipe. Pine sap can be found in leafy oak and beech forests near stands of indian pipe, but is also found in pine forests.

If you see either indian pipe or pinesap, you are in very healthy climax forest and should keep an eye out for other rare plants like orchids and unusual mushrooms. They are quite small, so do tread lightly when you walk around them, as there are usually more just under the leaf litter.

MONOTROPA UNIFLORA

2008-07-18T15:17:16Z

A parasitic plant that relies on fungus which in turn relies on the root systems of beech and oak trees. Indian Pipe (its common name) has no green chlorophyll of its own. I will post photos of its pale yellow cousin pinesap (Monotropa hypopithys) soon.

BARTRAM'S GARDEN KITTY

2008-07-17T17:01:55Z

Philly friends: this young cat, which was found at Bartram's Garden by my friends Laris and Kendra, is looking for a loving home. I've met her, and she is indeed a sweetie. Email kendraplease[at]gmail.com if you or someone you know might be interested. Thank you!

ANGEL'S TRUMPET ARE BACK

2008-07-17T14:56:30Z

SLIME MOLD

2008-07-16T14:16:58Z

I don't think it's witches' butter--that's a bit more golden and smooth.

IMPATIENS CAPENSIS

2008-07-15T23:18:41Z

Jewelweed, or Touch-Me-Not.

NEW SHIRTS FROM FLORENCE

2008-07-14T19:47:00Z

Just in time for the dog days of summer. Both have the usual collar and French cuffs that I like. One is linen, which is a bit of a novelty, I suppose.

POSTCARD

2008-07-14T17:10:38Z

Whenever friends visit the Barnes, I can all but predict that within a week I will get a postcard of this Modigliani painting in the mail.

BANEBERRY

2008-07-14T15:29:05Z

THE PARTY OF THE CENTURY...

2008-07-10T20:21:21Z

Wasn't.

Interesting to see how the idea of glamor and luxury has changed over the decades. I think most modern people would agree that a relaxed, intimate garden party with friends is more civilized than the savage social jockeying seen at an "elegant" gala event. This is why I don't own a tuxedo.

WHISTLER, TWACHTMAN, AND THE ART OF PAINTING SOFTLY

2008-07-09T14:46:46Z

Link to slideshow

ADAM WALLACAVAGE SHOW SHOTS

2008-07-08T21:07:58Z

Adam's show (wish NY Mag would have spelled his name correctly) is now up at Jonathan LeVine Gallery (Hi, Jonathan!). The piece featured above is named "Lady Pinkwater". For those of you unable to have seen the show, here are some shots sent to me by Adam...

YOUR MOMENT OF JAMES

2008-07-08T01:04:28Z

LILY

2008-07-08T01:01:51Z

DIRIGIBLES ARE BACK

2008-07-05T18:16:18Z

"A new generation of dirigibles is being considered by governments and private companies as the price of fuel rises and concern for the environment grows. (...) The new dirigibles benefit from new materials and means of propulsion, as well as entrepreneurs who are taking another look at the behemoths of the air."

NYT

ON PARADE

2008-07-05T16:48:21Z

(What's a parade without mummers?)

(A wreath made of living desert Succulents)

If you manage to concentrate on the textures and ignore the undercurrents of cornpone jingoism and blatant historical propaganda, Fourth of July can be a damn fine holiday. In a certain sense, it is the best of all observed public holidays: very few people have unrealistic expectations or emotional baggage to air like they do on Christmas--or that dowdy nadir of the year, Thanksgiving. Fourth of July is like a civic incarnation of the summer solstice: it's essentially a nationwide garden party. Plants are at their most lush and full, and people are relaxed and enjoying summer's pleasures, playing with the kids, swimming, eating and sharing drinks and vittles with visiting friends--just taking pleasure in being alive. It's the most Arcadian of our widely observed holidays, and the one time of year when the public mood syncopates with my own.

And of course things blow up, occasionally panache: our dear friend and host Chris wheeled out a hand truck last evening piled high with what we thought was beer or wine, but was actually all highly illegal, professional grade fireworks (he knows every cop in town, so the fuzz was nowhere to be seen). Things done got loud after that, and the whole neighborhood cheered in the direction of the church parking lot.

The kids drew in the night air with sparklers.

Happy to say that I managed to ride in the parade without any accidents--and I gained a few more 'fans'.

My sincerest thanks to our friends Chris and Deb for their warm hospitality and good company. Happy fifth anniversary!

~W

ON BACHELORHOOD

2008-07-04T04:28:48Z

“Woman inspires us to great things," remarked Alexandre Dumas, "and prevents us from achieving them.”

Hiyoo!

Link

ANOTHER BOG GROWS IN JERSEY

2008-07-02T21:39:15Z

Our friend Bill was struck low with the fever and fatigue that come with Lyme disease last week, so I arrived at his door to build a small bog garden, in the hopes it might cheer him up.

~W