High 72 F
Low  52 F

Click on picture to enlarge

I have saved the best for last. Pictures and impressions of my fellow garden bloggers and plant enthusiasts  but, I have found, people with so much more in their lives.  Multi-dimensional people from all walks of life sharing at least one common passion, gardening.  What a treat to get to speak to these individuals and know them just a bit better.  Glimpses of their everyday lives and families and their special qualities were what made the trip to Chicago most memorable for me.   The first person I met at Chicago Spring Fling was Diana from Sharing Nature’s Garden.  Diana greeted me with a smile which rarely leaves her face.  She has the warm, open nature of an Austinite, and an energy which envelops her and surrounds all in her presence. I hear she speaks fluent German (missed that trip to Trudy’s) and she loves dogs.   Pam from Digging was not far behind Diana.   I feel that I know Pam as we shared my travel woes last year and then we spoke on the radio show, The Garden Guys, last summer.  Pam is serenity to me. Never flustered, always in a good mood and a joy to be around.    From here on in, bloggers arrived in droves and the early arrivals traveled to Barbara’s garden.  Somehow, I don’t have a group picture of them but Barbara of Mr. McGregor’s Daughter, made arrangements to pick us all up at the train station and shuttle us to her home and then off to Rich’s Foxwillow Pines.  She has more energy than most which is a requirement for any Mother of young children.  Barbara’s hospitality will not soon be forgotten nor will the serenity of the garden she has created.   The top picture shows the group on the trolley which shuttled us from the train to the Chicago Botanic Garden.  Can you see who is in the back of the bus?  They look remarkably serene don’t they?

Cindy and Diana take a moment to pose in the Walled Garden.  Cindy is great fun to be around with her Texas drawl and perfect French accent.  We prowled many of the gardens together and dallied a bit too long (is that possible) in the vegetable garden.

Here is a familiar threesome standing just short of the zig zag bridge.  I enjoyed my time with Jean of Dig, Grow,Compost, Blog and since she is driving north in July I do hope to show her my garden this summer. Perhaps by the time she gets here I will have all the beds cleaned up and ready for visitors. She loved the veggie garden also and I will remember her desire to stop and stock up on produce at one of the major grocery stores which feature organics and which I call ‘Whole Paycheck’. 

Here is my friend, Frances.  She is a bit blurry in this picture as she never is in life, up close and personal.  Frances is fun, witty and friendly and we share more than just gardening as a hobby.  I hope Frances comes north soon so we can have more fun but, fair warning Frances, if you don’t, I am headed south!  Waiting for the trolley to take us back to the train shows many still in good humor after endless walking among beautiful gardens and who is more playful than this group?  Dee is thinking ‘I wonder where Bill and the kids are right now’, Carol is contemplating the next hoe for her collection and Mary Ann is holding her tongue (for once, and I mean that kindly) and just plain entertaining! 

These pictures of the group were taken at Rick Bayless’s garden.  Rick doesn’t really realize that he named his daughter after moi but when he does, I am sure there will be an invite to his restaurant for his NBF and all of her friends. I digress…. All are listening intently to Bill and I just know I could keep him very busy here at L & G.  Robin (just a small side shot in the picture up above this one) did ask me how big my gardening staff is as she had heard me mention the Equipment Manager.  My garden staff!  Staff of one full time and the EM, my beloved, part time when there is something major to be done.  This was also a time to dispel misconceptions which resulted in much laughter.  Robin and I had many discussions which are to be continued!  She encouraged me to join the GWA. Thanks, Robin. Here is a quick pic of Kylee of Our Little Acre and she is intent on getting just the right shot.  Why don’t I have one of her Mom, Louise?  I loved speaking with both of these gardeners.   Katie of GardenPunks is looking cool, intent, and is politely listening to our host.  Katie told me that this garden exemplifies what she would like to accomplish in her own garden.  I always enjoy her posts and look forward to seeing her garden develop.

  We were off from this garden to Carolyn Gail’s garden and home.  She graciously opened both for us to see and I don’t have a picture of our hostess, my apologies.  I’ve posted about the garden but the house should have a post all of its’ own.  Christopher C. of Outside Clyde posed playfully for me as we were looking at the faux stained glass windows and doors and I caught him with his glasses pulled up on his head.  Christoper can do anything as evidenced by the skills shown on his blog and I know I will see an attempt at the faux stained glass in his new cozy cottage. I enjoyed hangin’ with you, Christopher!

The last day of my visit to Chicago, Gail and I went to the Museum Garden and the Lurie Garden.  Gail has visited my garden as her son is studying in RI.  Susan Harris and Frances met up with us in the Lurie Garden after their boat trip and we walked around the city enjoying gardens, architecture, lunch and each other.  I hadn’t met Susan and only knew her through ‘Rant’.  I thoroughly enjoyed our discussions.  Susan is a thinker and a person who gets things done.  She also has a great collection of T shirts which express her style and individuality.  Sometimes it is hard to find the right size isn’t it Susan?  Who knew we both would take an XL!  I am not at all sure why I have no picture of Elizabeth from Gardening While Intoxicated (love that title).  I saw quite a bit of her and, long ago,one of her posts introduced me to the delicious St. Germain made from elderberry flowers.  I thank her for that and for the champagne.  I will be bringing some to Buffalo next year!      
 I realize I am missing quite a few faces although most are in the group shot in many other blogs but still, I won’t let that happen again.   I so enjoyed speaking with Rose of Prairie Rose and her friend Becky.  Patsy of Oh Grow Up was a dinner companion and rode to the airport in the van with me and I somehow don’t have a picture of you Patsy but you are in my mind’s eye.  Linda of Garden Girl graciously came into the city very early Sunday to speak with The Garden Guys and share Chicago with the Boston listeners. Linda, it was an honor!

 I do apologize for not having pictures of everyone but I have learned from this and will make sure that flingers are the priority next year.  To the Chicago Spring Fling Committee, many thanks for your efforts, I had a great time and to all others, it was a privilege to share Chicago with all of you.