Good news ... and bad news ...

So there's good news and bad news ...

First the good news ... I got an A on my first paper for school! Since I hadn't written "scholarly" for over 5 years I was a teeny bit anxious. Not worried just anxious ... but yep 84% which is an A. And the comments were ... "Convincing argument, good integration of ideas and application - well written. Excellent intro, interesting points made and well researched." Yeah for me ... now I just need to learn to write in APA style ...

And ... this weekend I'm in a skit at church ... and the cool part is I wrote it! Here's the script ...

40 Days of Growth – Drama – Not getting hands dirty.

Setting: Mohawk College horticulture class.

Larry: Hi, I’m Larry.

Jane: Hi, I’m Jane. (Shakes hands) You’re new aren’t you? I haven’t seen you before. Is it your first class? Are you nervous? Don’t worry. You’ll be fine. I’ve taken a few courses.

Larry: Oh, so you’re an old hand at flowers and plants are you?

Jane: Yes, in fact I’ve taken 6 courses so far.

Larry: So what kind of things are covered in this course?

Jane: Oh, you’ll learn all sort of different things. Plant identification, some information on herbal medicine, soil characteristics, gardening tools, differences between trees and plants, herbs and flowers and the ecology of different plants. Do you watch gardening shows on TV? What’s your favourite?

Larry: I do watch a few. What about you?

Jane: Do you watch Gardeners Diary? And what about The City Gardner? You know since I live in the City I think it’s great. Matt James gives such great ideas for small yards. Have you watched Outdoor Spaces? It’s good. She does gardening makeovers. It’s amazing to see what can be achieved. Do you read gardening books?

Larry: I’ve read a few.

Jane: You really should get the New Ontario Gardener because it’s all about Ontario gardens so it’s really applicable. And you simply must listen to Ed Lawrence on Ontario Today on CBC Radio. He’s so approachable and answers questions so well. I’ve also read tons of books on gardening. So, what’s your favourite flower?

Larry: Hostas are easy and Black Eyed Susans.

Jane: Ah, rudbeckia. Yes, I like that one too. It’s lovely and hardy since it’s a native plant. Its drought resistant, heat resistant and adds great winter interest with its seedpod heads. It’s also great in poor soil and can grow in either full sun or part-shade. I’m also fond of Echinacea, how about you?

Larry: Echinacea? Oh the medicine?

Jane: Oh yes it’s a medicine but it the Latin names for Purple Coneflower. You should learn the Latin names because they are the “official” botanical name. I usually use the Latin simply because its easier to refer to a specific plant that way. Rudbeckia is the Latin name for Black Eyed Susan and Echinacea is the Latin name

Larry: WOW … you sure know a lot.

Jane: Oh, I don’t know. I just really enjoy flowers and plants.

Larry: You sure must. I’ll bet you have an enormous garden.
Jane: Oh no, I don’t have a garden.

Larry: Oh, you must live in an apartment. Do you container garden?

Jane: No, I don’t garden.

Larry: You don’t garden? But you know so much about plants. Why on earth don’t you have a garden?

Jane: Well, I don’t like worms and I really don’t like getting my hands dirty. I’m much happier reading about flowers in books and talking about plants. I don’t need to garden to enjoy flowers do I?

Larry: Do you spend a lot on cut flowers?

Jane: No, not really. I actually prefer artificial flowers at home. They don’t die and always look nice. You can get some really nice ones from Michael’s Craft Store.

Larry: But aren’t you missing the point?

Jane: Oh, I don’t think so. I can look at lovely silk flowers, they match my décor. Plus I have some lovely photographs of flowers on my walls that also match my decor.

Larry: So you have all this knowledge and passion for flowers but you’re content with artificial flowers and two-dimensional images?

Jane: Yes.

Larry: Oh … I think I’m in the wrong class.

Now the bad news ... IT SNOWED TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I saw snow ... albeit teeny little flakes but it was SNOW ... in OCTOBER ... mid-October ... and after a Monday that got up to 21 ... quite the shock.

Cheers

~ Shirley