C. Fawley Fjeran

June 10, 2017 "If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed; if in terms of ten years, plant trees; if in terms of 100 years, teach the people." ~Confucius The Redwood Forest in California sports the tallest trees on Earth with some as tall as at 379 feet. Giant Sequoia and Giant Redwoods can live up to 2,000 years. A bristle pinecone tree in California, nicknamed Methuselah, is estimated to be 5,000 years old. The location is held secret to protect it. Why does the tree need protection? Remember the historic trees at Toomer's Corner in Auburn, Alabama? These Live Oak trees stood their ground between the town and Auburn campus for nearly 100 years. Live Oak trees have the ability to live up to 400 years. In 2010, a University of Alabama fan poisoned the trees with a lethal dose of herbicide and nothing could be done to reverse the damage--100 years removed in a flash. Because of football rivalry. It's disheartening to watch trees that have grown for many years cut to...

June 7, 2017 Patricia is a master gardener in her own right, evidenced in her beautiful southern garden. She is also a creative painter and stylist--design comes naturally to her. Her home, inside and out, is filled with creative touches. One of my favorite interior pieces is the stool that she fashioned from old leather belts. She wove different colored belts together to form the seat on an old wooden stool. Everywhere my eyes light in her home, there is something to inspire and delight. Patricia definitely needs little advice to create a comfortable, interesting home. She has that mastered. In my opinion, she has also mastered garden design, with the same innovation and whimsy. Her garden is a favorite that has been featured on local garden tours. When she asks for my advice, I oblige. I know what she is seeking: new eyes, a different angle, a stimulating idea from which her thoughts will flow. Recently, I was invited. "I want you to come look at an area of my garden and give m...

June 3, 2017 "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime. " Variation: "Give a child a flower, and you make her happy for a moment; teach a child to garden, and you make her happy for a lifetime." Remember the playful interludes of childhood: skipping, hopscotch, and climbing trees? In my neighborhood, playing outside was a year-round way of life, even on rainy days. With my mother's permission, we got soppin g wet building dams to capture the spring rain that was running along the roadside ditch. We created magical summer forts by pinning old blankets to the lowest branches on the apple tree, jumped into mountains of fall leaves raked into piles, and built winter snow forts to protect us from the inevitable snowball fights. Our world was full throttle--better than images on a screen! Even outdoor chores were fun. Marigolds were the first flowers I remember planting. Success. They grew beautifully, dried o...

June 1, 2017 Member of the Sunflower family, Gaillardia pulchella is a boldly colored spring-blooming wildflower. This year, I found it in full bloom in January at Anastasia State Park in St. Augustine, Florida. Gaillardia bravely withstands full hot sun, poor soils, and drought conditions. Apropos that in the language of flowers, it stands for bravery. I'm curious about the legends of plants and how they acquire their common names. Gaillardia is commonly called In dian Blanketflower. Two legends are shared in the Language of Flowers: one tells of a young Indian girl lost in the woods, the other of an old Indian blanket maker. Each legend is a compelling story about how Gaillardia was named Indian Blanketflower. http://preview.tinyurl.com/ybgusery Gallardia is also called Firewheel, which obviously is descriptive of its colorful pattern. Once you have met this flower, its bold color will easily catch your eye.

May 31, 2017 Did you know there is a special license for people over 50? Yes, we have a license to tell stories and portions of stories over, and over. And, the story doesn't have to be exactly the same each time we tell it. One of the best storytellers I know seems to enjoy retelling bits and pieces. I presume he thinks possibly we weren't in church the first time it was told, or if we were, we weren't paying attention. Certainly, if we were there and paying attention,  within a few months, we wouldn't remember the details. Then again, he might be using his 50+ license. I usually remember stories, but I welcome repeats. If I can rewatch the same movies and T.V. shows, surely I can enjoy a story told more than once. In my family, we love exchanging well-worn stories, especially those with a humorous twist. My mother's family is from a small pottery town in northern Ohio. My grandfather and a large percentage of the residents made their living working at the pottery....

May 27, 2017 I ran by the vet's office to pick up a prescription for my cat. While I was waiting, I noticed the assistant's ring with an inscription too small for me to read at a distance. I admired the ring and asked her if it had something written on it. "Yes, it says, 'My heart beats for you.' It's written in my husband's handwriting." He gave her the ring before he was deployed in January. He's scheduled to come home in July. This is not his first deployment, but it is her first. Two more months. I pray he returns safe and sound. The month of May is National Military Appreciation Month (NMAM). Citizens are encouraged to observe the month in a symbol of unity. Memorial Day is the most well known. For many, it is simply another holiday--time off work. It should be so much more. Memorial Day is set aside to honor fallen soldiers. (Veterans are thanked for their service on Veteran's Day, which comes later in the year.) National Military Appreci...

May 24, 2017 Is it true that good things come to those who wait? I can think of a few good things worth waiting for: sunrise, sunset, Christmas. Waiting often means delay of gratification. Waiters at restaurants take your order and you wait to be served your food. Waiting can result in impatience depending on your level of hunger--or when stuck in traffic and waiting for lights to change, especially if you are running late for a meeting. That can't be good. What is it about waiting? Waiting brings anticipation when you are looking forward to special events--graduation, wedding day, the birth of a child, or a dream vacation. In my younger years, my favorite season of the year was Fall. It signaled when Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas holidays with family were just around the corner. After the dog days of Summer, the cool down in temperature is a welcome relief. I love the surround of brilliant colors against a cool blue sky. The dusty scent coming through the vents when you f...

May 23, 2017 I'm not the only one. It isn't that misery loves company, but I felt much better when I saw Walter Reeve's comment in the AJC about Peonies underperforming this year. Because the Peony in my garden belonged to my grandmother, I especially enjoy seeing the flowers popping out around Mother's Day. It's like a special message. This year is quiet, and I miss the luscious fragrance. Walter noted speculation that the warm winter and previous year's drought might have decreased the blooms. Mine did nothing more than bud, shrivel, and dry. It happens. I'm relieved to know it is probably environmental conditions rather than insect or disease. I have a treasure-trove of memories of my grandmother that I can dial up at will. This year, I'm adding her Peony blossoms to the list. Sigh. I look forward to seeing her next year. This year, I'm enjoying the azalea gifted to me by my sister on Mother's Day. All is well.