05/24/2024
Memorial Day Weekend! Time to scrub the barbeque grills, un-stick the marshmallows, blow up the floaties! Summer is coming!
May, 2019: My son was planning his late-summer wedding here on our family homestead. He had heard that 70 or 75 years ago, a concrete chessboard had been built somewhere near the old resort lodge. Could he locate and put it back into service during his wedding festivities?
I remembered playing on the old chessboard slab as a little girl. It had gradually melted into the field with the help of a healthy population of non-native Forget-me-nots (Myosotis sylvatica). This time of year, a near-perfect square of blue flowers marked the spot. Though the square had been disturbed, Forget-me-nots scattered, and slab buried, the spot had been burned into my memory, and we quickly located it. The wedding guests enjoyed the chessboard, most unaware that they were now part of our family legacy. And flowers were the link.
Forget me not. Flowers and trees are often planted in honor of those who have passed, especially soldiers. Memorial Day was established so Americans could take time to feel sorrow for and gratitude to lives lost in service to our democracy. In popular practice, this has been extended to include others who have passed away. I don’t think that’s a bad thing. And I don’t begrudge barbeques or marshmallows (though I could expound on the evils of inflatable entertainments, which are downright unpatriotic-remember “…from sea to shining sea”???). Experiencing the joy of living is an appropriate use of the day!
Who would you like to honor by planting something?
P.S. Perhaps “something” could be a native plant? Perhaps a native Forget-Me-Not? More on THAT next time.
Tadpole Haven is open the following days:
May 23 & 24, Thursday & Friday —— 12 noon–4 pm
May 25, Saturday —— 10 am–4 pm
May 30 & 31, Thursday & Friday —— 12 noon–4 pm
June 1, Saturday —— 10 am–4 pm
June TBD
If you cannot make it to one of our Open Days, you can always make an appointment to visit.
