Colors: The Story of Dyes and Pigments

This slim book is packed with the history of dyes and pigments, and their evolution from organic to synthetic. Colors: The Story of Dyes and Pigments is by François Delamare (a chemist, metallurgist, and expert in modern and ancient pigments), and Bernard Guineau (a physicist, research engineer, and expert in ancient colors). The book is published as part of the Harry N. Abrams Discoveries series (New York, 1999). I've read the book many times, first in 2017 while researching color in the garden (recall we spilled over into the nature of color and the art world a bit), and later in 2018 while researching "plants to dye for".

The initial chapter sets the stage by describing the nature of pigments and vegetable dyes, and telling the story of humans use of them since ancient history. By their nature pigments are more durable and examples have endured (such as the cave paintings in Lascaux, France). Fabric and plant-based dyes are not as durable, but ancient writings inform us that fixatives, mordants, and dyes (such as madder, indigo, weld, and woad) were also used in ancient times. Chapter 2 describes dyeing in the middle ages, when bright colors were considered a luxury and Europe's international textile industry flourished. Chapter 3 describes the explosion of supply and demand as the standard of living in Europe improved, and global exploration and the scientific revolution fostered innovation. Chapter 4 describes the birth of organic chemistry, and the ability to synthesize color in new ways. The back matter provides excerpts from various documents and a great reading list.

Every time I read this book I learn something new. It's only 160 pages long (with lots of pictures), but is full of fascinating history and information. One thing I noticed is how prevalent tariffs and trade wars were in ancient and more recent history, to protect the local dye industry and attempt to keep out global competitors. Industries boomed and failed all through history as new discoveries were made and new sources became available. Apparently some things never change! I especially enjoyed the illustrations and photos used to tell the story of dyes, processes, and the beautiful textiles produced. I recommend this book if you're interested in learning more about the pigments and dyes used to color our world.

Winter Movies 2019: Agua Cadaver

Time for another movie to beat the long days of winter, one in which movie star plants have the starring role. This winter we're enjoying a several episodes from the popular British series, Rosemary and Thyme. The show aired from 2003 to 2007, and stars Felicity Kendal and Pam Ferris in the lead roles.

In the final season, Rosemary and Laura continue to maintain their thriving landscaping business, with clients all over Britain and the continent. Troubles seems to follow them wherever they go, and they have a knack for solving mysteries from horticultural problems to grisly murders.

Agua Cadaver (Season 3, Episode 18)

In this episode, Rosemary and Laura have been invited to Southern Spain to restore a Moorish garden for Neil and Nicola Spicer. Neil is an expert on Persian history and gardens, and an old boyfriend of Rosemary's. He takes the pair on a tour of Alhambra, then asks them create a small scale paradise of water and shade for his garden. They agree and begin researching, planning, and shopping for materials. Rosemary and Laura meet several friends and neighbors at a luncheon at the Spicers, including an attractive young handyman and a realtor who supplies the original plans of the grounds.

Rosemary and Laura find evidence of an old water source and use the plans to find a small canal that is blocked and preventing water from flowing to the Spicer's well. They unblock the canal, putting them at odds with the mysterious and menacing Luiz Mendez (who is always on his white horse and wearing the gaucho hat that Rosemary particularly admires). Soon a couple of murders take place, and Neil tries to rekindle the old romance with Rosemary. In the midst of it all, Rosemary and Laura focus on the landscaping project and solve the crimes in the process.

The beautiful setting in Southern Spain, with its sun-drenched landscape, is perfect for winter movie watching. I enjoyed learning ways to manage water in a dry landscape, and seeing the Persian gardening elements. The latter brought to mind our early research on Persian gardens (see Garden History – Persian Gardens, The Taj Majal, and The Alhambra). This ends our winter movie series, but there are still more episodes you can watch! I found the series on DVD in our local library, available through online retailers, and on YouTube. I also found the synopsis of all episodes on Wikipedia, and filming locations on Wikimedia.

Winter Movies 2019: The Gongoozlers

Time for more winter movies, where plants are the true stars! This winter we're enjoying a few episodes from the popular British series, Rosemary and Thyme, which aired from 2003 to 2007.

By season 2, Rosemary Boxer and Laura Thyme (played by Felicity Kendal and Pam Ferris) have established a thriving landscaping business, and show an aptitude for running into mysteries that need solving in the process.

The Gongoozlers (Season 2, Episode 11)

This episode opens with Rosemary and Laura landscaping on the estate grounds for Crystal and Vernon Seymore, where a struggling gardening show is being filmed. The show is trying to regain viewers by bringing in a guest host, Quinnie Dorrell, who knows more about sailing than gardening, and seems to be hated by everyone on the film crew. Quinnie has developed a fear of heights, so Rosemary is drafted to take her place for the aerial shot of the garden from a high scaffolding. In the midst of shooting, the scaffolding collapses, injuring Rosemary and making it clear that Quinine had been the real target.

While Rosemary spends a week in the hospital with a broken leg, Laura tackles the landscape project solo. A journalist, Rosie Fitzcarron, visits the estate, supposedly to interview Quinnie about the show, but is found dead in the swimming pool, electrocuted by a hedge trimmer. When Vernon's car is involved in a fiery traffic accident and is presumed dead, Quinnie and Laura team up to pool their information and search for clues. Laura figures out what's going on, and the pair race to the Bridmouth Canal, armed with shovels, to prevent the culprits from getting away.

In this episode I especially enjoyed learning about gongoozlers, and seeing a small canal lock in operation (around markers 38:00 to 42:00). I'm from a long line of folks who enjoy similar activities (like watching the cruise ships dock, as in Rambles in Drizzly Juneau). This episode should brighten up the dark days of winter while waiting for the garden to wake up. I found the series on DVD in our local library and available through online retailers. I also found the synopsis of all episodes on Wikipedia, and filming locations on Wikimedia.

A gongoozler is a person who enjoys watching activity on the canals of the United Kingdom. The term is also used more generally to describe those who harbour an interest in canals and canal life, but do not actively participate. 

From: Wikipedia

Winter Movies 2019: And No Bird Sings

Time for winter movies, where plants play the starring role! This year I've chosen several episodes from the popular Rosemary & Thyme series that aired from 2003 to 2007. This "English cozy" style mystery series stars Felicity Kendal as Rosemary Boxer, and Pam Ferris as Laura Thyme.

The series is set mainly in England, but also in various European and Mediterranean locations (to accommodate the short window for good filming weather). The key for us is that it serves up lots of beautiful gardens, sun-drenched locations, and interesting characters, along with entertaining side dishes of mystery and murder, perfect for beating the dark days of winter.

And No Bird Sings (Season 1, Episode 1)

In the opening episode, Laura Thyme is leaving to see family friends, Sam and Vickie Trent, before checking into The White Hart bed-and-breakfast, after learning that her police officer husband of 27 years has dumped her for a younger woman. At the bed-and-breakfast, she meets Dr. Rosemary Boxer, a plant pathologist who was hired by Daniel and Alicia Kellaway to determine why trees are dying at their estate. Coincidentally, Daniel is suffering from severe skin and respiratory ailment but is attended by his seemingly doting wife. While investigating, Rosemary learns that she has been unfairly sacked from the university by her ex-boss/ex-boyfriend.

Laura and Rosemary hit it off, and soon they are pooling skills and experience to investigate the horticulture mystery. Laura is an avid gardener and was a police woman before she retired to raise a family, and Rosemary knows a lot about plants and their diseases. When Sam dies from an apparent heart attack, and Daniel begins to improve once he is hospitalized away from the estate, Rosemary and Laura determine to find out what's going on, and why the creepy housekeeper, Mrs. Potts, seems so familiar.

I enjoy the English cozy style of story telling, and like this version's integration of two modern and engaging women and the gardening theme. The beautiful setting at the Winterbourne estate with the beautiful plants and trees make this episode and series perfect for winter movie watching. If you'd like a little escapism, while waiting for seed catalogs to appear and early spring gardening tasks to do, I recommend this series. I found it on DVD in our local library, available through online retailers, and on YouTube. I also found the synopsis of all episodes on Wikipedia, and filming locations on Wikimedia (more to keep you busy)!

The sedge has withered from the lake

And no bird sings.

By John Keats (1795–1821), from La Belle Dame Sans Merci

Seattle Chinese Garden

The Seattle Chinese Garden is adjacent to the Arboretum at South Seattle College. My husband and I visited both during a brief lull in the rainy weather while on our Christmas visit to Seattle.

Pavilions at the Seattle Chinese Garden

Seattle Chinese Garden

The Seattle Chinese Garden represents an ongoing collaboration between designers, architects, artisans, and horticulturists in Seattle and its Sister City, Chongqing, in the Southwestern Province of  Sichuan. The local architectural firm Jones and Jones has been involved at times to coordinate activities.

Intricate lattice work

Plantings in the Knowing the Spring Courtyard

Koi pond

The 4.7 acre garden is designed in the Sichuan style, which includes native Chinese plants, paving stones, and traditional Chinese pavilions. The four elements of Chinese gardens include water, stone, plants, and architecture, which are used symbolically in the garden design.

Portal to the view beyond

Pagoda in a bamboo grove along the path

Reflecting pond

We enjoyed strolling through Knowing the Spring Courtyard and seeing the plantings and rocks and poetry and ponds. We also enjoyed the details of the garden, such as the pagodas, paths, and bamboo groves, and the sweeping views from the hill.

Taihu lake rock donated by People's Government of Suzhou Municipality, China March 2003	Rock edging along path with worn edges, moss, and lichen
Pond details	Terra cotta warrior castings

I find it interesting to visit a garden in winter, to really see its bones, and then visit throughout the year to see it transformed by the seasons.

Charming table and stools	Detail of table and chair
Lichen patterns	More lichen patterns

The garden is still under development, with plans for additional buildings and waterways. I look forward to visiting the garden as the plans materialize, and throughout different seasons.

View of  Seattle and lots of room to expand

On a side note, I was interested to learn that a reciprocal Seattle Garden opened in 2012 in the Municipality of Chongqing in China. It is part of the Chongqing Garden Expo Garden.

South Seattle College Arboretum

After days of rain in Seattle, the clouds finally lifted and the sun peaked out. My husband and I headed for South Seattle College with a mission to walk through the Arboretum, visit the Seattle Chinese Garden.

Blue spruce tree in pale winter sun

South Seattle College Arboretum

The arboretum was established in 1978 after students from the South Seattle College Landscape Horticulture program petitioned for an arboretum to be their laboratory. The five-acre site is located on a bluff at the north end of the campus, with a view of Seattle and Elliott Bay. We saw the best view from the gazebo, although the trees of the West Duwamish Greenbelt are growing up and obscuring the view.

View of Seattle from the gazebo

Maple Garden in the winter

The arboretum serves as a laboratory for courses in plant identification, arboriculture, pruning, irrigation, garden renovation, plant problem diagnostics, landscape management and landscape construction courses.

Coenosium Rock Garden	Unidentified
Pale pink azaleas in winter	Unidentified - great winter interest

With so much rain, the trees and plants were lush and beautiful. I enjoyed seeing the various garden sections, and the moss and lichen dripping off the plants and rocks. I appreciated the many benches and arbors and shelters scattered throughout the park, no doubt student projects that can be enjoyed by all. It made me think of many happy days as a student in the Merritt College Landscape Horticulture program.

Milton Sutton Conifer Garden

Welcome shelter for inclement weather

Another shelter

Later, looking at the walking map, I realized we missed a few sections, and other sections would be enhanced by visiting in other seasons (like the roses and perennials). This is definitely a place to revisit to see what we missed, and to see the trees and plants go through their seasonal cycles.

Alpine garden

Arbor in winter

Path through the arboretum

Holiday Memories from Seattle

My husband and I are back from our road trip to Seattle to celebrate Christmas with our son and his family. Suitcases are unpacked, the pantry is restocked, the laundry is washed and folded, Christmas wrapping paper and gifts are put away. A few thank you notes still need to be written, and the Snow Village needs to be boxed up for storage. But it's a great time to review our trip photos and videos, and savor the memories of our time together.

Mount Shasta in winter light

Sandwiches and authentic cream soda at Tolly's in Oakland, Oregon

Christmas preparations were a fun mix of shopping in favorite Seattle districts, tracking deliveries from online purveyors, and last-minute wrapping. We braved Costco, Fred Meyers, and Uwajimaya for holiday ingredients (with quick stops at coffee shops and the nail salon to renew our strength), and then started cooking.

Shopping near Pioneer Square

Warming up between shops

We kicked off Christmas morning with a breakfast buffet of blueberry scones and biscotti baked by our daughter-in-law, and bagels with smoked salmon, cream cheese, and cucumbers.

Gifts under the Christmas tree

Feast by the fire

Nothing phases Mako

Selfie-stick fun

Family portrait

One of the highlights was introducing our daughter-in-law's mom to a western style Christmas. Mei caught on pretty quickly and enjoyed the silly stocking stuffers and beautiful gifts along with everyone else. Our son played Santa (he's worked out a great system over the years)!

First Christmas stocking

Enjoying the fire

Mother and daughter

Santa Clause preparing the gifts

This year our son took the helm to cook Christmas dinner (a delicious tritip Wellington and all the fixings), and our daughter-in-law and I made the cherry pie. Friends came over for dinner to add to the festivities.

Making cherry pie

Assembling the Wellington

Cute couples

A drenching rain storm passed over the Puget Sound during our visit, so we hunkered down to work on puzzles, read, catch up on each other's lives, and watch the 1964 animation, The Journey West (a classic Chinese tale about the Monkey King). When the weather let up we enjoyed long walks with the dogs, and an outing to the Seattle Chinese Garden and nearby Arboretum. We also enjoyed meals at Loretta's Northwesterner for tavern burgers, a Korean noodle shop for hot soup, Pomodoro's for a delicious New Year's Eve dinner, and The Hangar Cafe for New Year's Day crepes. Yum!

Puzzle fun	More puzzle fun
Air-fried and glazed chicken	Layers of puff pastry
Rare moment of sun light	Dinner at Pomodoro's in East Lake

We first met Mei several years ago in the San Francisco Bay Area, so it was a treat to see her again and learn more about her life and family in Shanghai. Between Mei's growing English skills, our daughter-in-law's translation abilities, the Microsoft Translator app, and a good sense of humor, we were able to carry on some great conversations! Mei brought some family pictures from Shanghai, so we had fun seeing Mei and our daughter-in-law in their youths. Over the course of our visit, everyone pitched in to cook or clean up. Mei made several dishes, including a delicious oxtail soup that is a real delicacy!

Chips and pictures	Mei as a baby
Mei as a child	Mei as a teen

Another treat was meeting our second granddog, Dakota. He is younger than Mako, but the two are forging a good relationship. They enjoy long walks in the neighborhood, and I was pleased to see Dakota sniffing plants along the way, seemingly for their botanical fragrances (and not just to check for P-mail)! The birth story is that he lived in Qatar for his early life and was then abandoned to the streets, so the many plants in the Pacific Northwest may be very interesting!

Mako and Dakota wait for their walk

Draw bridge over the Duwamish River

It was difficult to leave our family, but we had to get back (and they probably wanted their living space back)! My husband and I enjoyed seeing the beautiful winter scenery along Interstate 5, from inside our warm car, while listening to the Matthew Scudder audio book, A Long Line of Dead Men. We were grateful for no snow, and the chance to reflect on the many blessings in our lives, especially the family and friends who travel with us on the bumpy journey of life!

Porter's Restaurant is a favorite stop in Medford, Oregon