Fern-leaf Peony (Paeonia tenuifolia) by Dusty M

A worker at Denver Botanic Gardens first pointed a Fern-leaf Peony out to me. (“You want to see a cool plant?” “Sure.”) When I noticed it offered in a southeastern U.S. nursery catalog, I had to have one. That was about 15 years ago. I don’t remember the price, but recall it was “pricey!” Like all peonies, it was slow to establish, maybe slower than its larger, elegant cousins. The photo shows this year’s performance in early May.

The Fern-leaf isn’t as tall as standard peonies. It blooms earlier. Its flowers are smaller (and don’t flop over). It comes only in red. My plant is double, and as with other peonies, as the flowers age, they open wider to reveal orange-yellow stamens. I understand there is also a single-flowered version, but I have not seen it. Late spring frosts don’t seem to bother the foliage, but will damage the flowers. As summer progresses, the ferny foliage withers, but faithfully reappears in the spring. I’ve never noticed ants on my plant.

The Fern-leaf allegedly was carried to the West by early settlers. I’ve heard that story from a local nurseryman. I also found it posted on the Internet by a grower in Indiana. I’ve pondered why this plant might have been selected for the long trek west, and why it is one of those few plants to have earned mention in pioneer lore. Perhaps it has been seen as a tough, persistent survivor that embodies the spirit of Western settlement.

The “Curmudgeonly” Gardener by Gardener Dave

(A few homely comments on gardening, offered by someone who has “been there and back”, and who apparently feels the need to sound off about some of the things that can happen while on the trip)

Favorite Quote: “I have a rock garden. Last week three of them died”
Richard Diran – from Curmudgeon Online


• If it’s not blooming NOW, it’s a weed!

• Never buy small, green garden tools. (Guess why).

• Buy a plant, feed it, water it, nurse it… and it will likely die. Next time you go for a walk, you will see a big healthy one growing out of a crack in somebody’s sidewalk.

• Automatic” sprinklers and drip systems become a lifelong “hobby”.

• Bindweed is the true Arnie Schwarzenegger of weeds, you think it’s been terminated, and it says “I’ll be baack!”

• Young yards have too much sun, old yards have too much shade.

• A Colorado potting rule: Small flowerpots WILL dry out in 5 minutes.

• If you want to know what squirrels and skunks love to dig in, go on vacation.

• You can parboil your vegetables (or flowers) with water from a garden hose that has been lying in the sun.

• Dragging your garden hoses is the very best way to knock down and break your plants.

• Grass grows the best in flower beds and vegetable gardens.

• Deadheading your flowers is like painting the Golden Gate Bridge… As soon as you finish, it’s time to start over.

• Colorado has at least 8 seasons… summer, fall, winter, spring, winter, spring, winter, spring...

HAPPY GAWAI DAYAK TO ALL MY DAYAK READERS!

Yay!

I start my leave today. Pheewww! OK. Let us start with our yesterday's breakfast. Haha!

Clockwise: Laksa Sarawak, Nasi Goreng Cina @ Aroma Cafe. Nasi Lemak Kari @ Happy Valley for lunch!

All the Dayaks were released by 3:00 p.m., permitted by my boss. I left half and hour later..... Gonna miss my PC, my phone, my rubber stamps..everything... huhu! Never mind guys, I'll be rocking back on June 8!

Went to Ngiu Kee later on to do garments shopping. Bought a new rice cooker to replace the old one since Ngiu Kee is having cheap sale! Oh, today I went to Mom' s place to give Alin and Boboy their clothes. What a hot day, see Alin's face, haha!!

Whoaaaa..soaking wet!

On the way home, we saw this. ....

Can you see the car landed in the drain? I bet those guys, the bystanders were cursing the car not because of the driver's recklessness but they can't see the registration numbers. Suckkss!! If not can buy 4D liao!

Miss Coki and family would like to wish all Dayaks, Selamat Ngintu Gawai Dayak , Gayu Guru Gerai Nyamai, lantang senang nguan menoa..OOoooohaaAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!

Piper's New Book

Tim Challies reviews John Pipers excellent new book on marriage, 'This Momentary Marriage'. Piper writes from a wealth of experience as he and his wife celebrate 40 years of marriage.



Here's an excerpt:



The point Piper makes time and time again is this: “Marriage is patterned after Christ’s covenant relationship to his redeemed people, the church. And therefore, the highest meaning and the most ultimate purpose of marriage is to put the covenant relationship of Christ and his church on display. That is why marriage exists. If you are married, that is why you are married. If you hope to be, that should be your dream.” Thus staying married is not about staying in love but about keeping covenant; getting divorced involves not just breaking a covenant with a spouse but misrepresenting Christ and his covenant.



You can read the rest of the review by clicking here.



The book is available in the WBF Bookstore or can be ordered at CBD.com

Discovery Garden Series

Spring has arrived! So get your gardening tools and sun hat out because it’s time for the Discovery Garden Series.

The Discovery Garden Series consists of seven monthly workshops that include demonstrations, lectures, field trips and hands-on activities. Workshops are taught by Butterfly Pavilion staff and local Master Gardeners.

The workshops will explore the fascinating relationships between insects and plants as well as touch on the importance of native plants.

Each workshop is only $10 per person! Sign up for the series or pick and choose the workshops that best fit your interests and/or schedule. Classes meet the third Sunday of the month at 1:30 p.m. unless otherwise indicated.

Pre-registration and pre-payment are required by the Tuesday before the class. Space is limited, so sign up now by calling (720) 974-1868.

May 30 Bringing Nature Home -Dr. Douglas Tallamy

June 14 Adapted Plants for Colorado -Harriett McMillan

July 19 Native Plants - Lenore Mitchell

Aug. 16 Landscaping with Natives -Lenore Mitchell

Sept. 20 Bees and the Harvest - Char Gottlieb

Oct. 4 Diseases and Insects -Cathy Jo Clawson

Day Late, Dollar Short by Late Bloomer

That's me; story of my life. Yesterday (late as usual) I began the repotting of seedlings for the veggie gardens, fed and watered them well before using up all the milk cartons I could find. Now what? Large plastic cups is what; too many plants as usual. And because I haven't built that cold frame I promised myself, the little plants have spent too long in their tiny starter pots. There was no indoor room to expand. A few words about my ON THE CHEAP philosophy, AKA very GREEN: Plant everything possible from seed, including last year's left-over seeds, and even seed from organic market veggies. If you grow heirlooms, their seeds should be viable, too. Everything is worth a try. Start 6 weeks early. Don't forget to feed them (I forgot). Near the end of April, have an outdoor place to keep your re-potted baby plants safe from weather and frosty nights. Plant in the garden around June 1. Make use of window sills: Save cuttings from begonias, sweet potato vines, coleuses, and geraniums. Take second cuttings in mid-winter when they get leggy. Pot up your culinary herbs for winter use. There: not only fresh herbs, but a green view all winter long. Now that you've saved a bundle on all those nice healthy plants, enjoy!

THURSDAY WRAP-UP

Apooo!! It's Thursday already. Tomorrow will be my last day working before Gawai hols. I'll be working again on the 8th of June. Hehe... Office is as usual bulking and burdening my shoulder with phone calls, urgent meetings and appointments. Thanks to Lord God, now I have few assistants that are capable to relief my place during my holiday. I am thankful that they are hardworking and willing to learn new stuff.

Mdm. Sue also contacted me via YM few days ago and informing me that she would need my help to supervise some of my juniors doing practical training at my place. No prob madam! I'll try my best to guide them.

No baking and such this year, I don't have time and due to time constraint I decided to order from my colleagues. Not much, but I picked 3 types of biscuits, a kilo of Murukkus and 2 types of Kek Lapis (Layered cake).

Mee Goreng Mamak @ Aroma Cafe I had this morning. Pheww! This fried noodles is smoking hot!! If you dare to tolerate with the spiciness, you may try this with a cup of hot beverage. Haha!

Soil Interface by Gardener Cumax

Years ago someone thought it would be a great idea to put down plastic mulch and then cover it with river rocks and dirt. Eventually this soil interface was 8" below the ground level. I'm not sure what the goal of this was because if it was for weed blocking, that failed. They all do because weeds have a powerful urge to reach the sunshine. I've seen bindweed roots go straight up 24". They were an easy pull though. This deeper plastic mulch was in a different category of futility and aggravation. First I had to shovel out heavy river rocks in order to get down to the plastic. Then I had to carefully and forcefully pull that up. There was no way to get all the rocks off of it beforehand. Is it any surprise that the plastic was littered with root holes? And that those roots were only from weeds? Never underestimate the power of weed roots. the first photo is the soil/plastic interface from the plastic side. This is the very bottom of the plastic. See how those rots are spreading all over? These are mostly bindweed and crab grass roots. In the second photo, look down and right of the shovel blade. There's a smooth area where the plastic used to be. There are some roots there. They're probably pretty weak but I'll bet you anything that right now, a day after, that they are growing like nuts. Free from plastic at last. Speaking of growing like nuts, dandelions do. I mowed the lawn and 24 hours later I had dandelion flower stalks ranging from 2-5" with most of them in the 4-5" range.

How Do You Deal With This?

Yesterday, I spent the morning in court as a very close friend received her sentence for making a truly tragic and poorly made decision. The impact that decision has had on her family, her church and maybe even the community is enormous and grievous.

Even so, she and her husband have walked through this situation as well as any two godly people could possibly walk through it. He has been, in every way, supportive and committed to working things out while many men, even many Christian men, would have compounded one bad decision with another and caused further tragic consequences.

My friend (Kelly and I have know her for almost 30 years) has confessed, repented, poured herself out before her Father in heaven and grieved over her sin. She has steadfastly refused to allow any blame to be placed elsewhere and has resolutely demanded that she take full responsibility for her own mistakes. As in any case of totally uncharacteristic behavior, there were extenuating circumstances that would have been easy to fall back upon. She refused to allow anyone to receive blame....but herself.

I don't know that I've seen a couple exhibit such godly behavior in the face of catastrophic circumstances....ever.

All that being said, I'm not sure anything can prepare you for a moment like we experienced in court yesterday. We went into the courtroom as a group of friends, united in our support of our friend. She stood before the judge and listened patiently as he described the severity and repugnance of her crime. She emotionally apologized to the Court, the community, the victim, her family and her loving husband. Then she told the Judge she was ready for whatever he deemed appropriate punishment.

I've never seen so many people hold their breath for so long. We didn't dare breathe or even move while she stood there at the Judge's mercy, waiting to hear her fate.

"Ten years incarceration....but I'm going to suspend all but 18 months of that." She immediately turned to her husband and mouthed the words "I love you..." as she was led away, disappearing through a door at the rear of the court room.

Gone.....just gone. No goodbyes to the family. No time to hug or pray together or to get her things....just gone....for 18 months.

It was absolutely devastating

Metaphors and lessons abound.

These folks are really good folks. She made a bad decision. The court made its decision based, not on the fact that she was and is a really good person and a great mother...but on the bad decision she made. Her punishment was levied on the mistake she made..and not mitigated by the good she has done. She was totally at the mercy of the Judge and his sentence was sovereignly made. She didn't get a chance to go back and make it right and she didn't have the opportunity to "work it out" with the Judge.

Praise God, she had already dealt with a higher authority. Praise God she was able to stand there in His strength and not her own. Praise God, her place in eternity is guaranteed in spite of her human weakness and inability to live a perfect life on her own.

I have no idea how anyone in this position that does not have Christ to hold on to can make it through something like this. We have a hope (Rom 5:5-60). We have a promise that, somehow God will us this for our own good (2 Cor 1:3-6, Rom 8:28).

I love my friends. I'm heartbroken for them. Yet, at the same time, I'm deeply thankful for the example they have set before us in the face of extreme hardship. I'm grateful for the forgiveness I see him working so hard to exhibit. I'm moved by her contrite heart and desire to draw closer to her God. It all makes me long for the day when we can gather over a meal together, look back on all this and bless God for His goodness, his wisdom and His great love for each of us.

It also grieves me to know that there are many others who will never get to experience the joy and freedom of forgiveness that my friends are being blessed with. Our job, as the body of Christ is to let people know that judgment comes swiftly...and there's no going back.

My friend's sentence will end. She will, one day, walk out of jail hopefully, prayerfully, closer to God and into the waiting arms of a loving husband, family and friends. That's the difference for those that know Christ as Savior, their earthly suffering will end, either here on Earth or ultimately in heaven. Those who do not have that blessed assurance will endure a sentence that never ends.

THE BATTLE OF AYAM PENYET!

The first time I sank my teeth on this dish, it was in 2007 - 2008. During that time, it wasn't that popular in Kuching. I tried it at Rasa Rasa Cafe at Simpang Tiga and why did I try it at the first place? Because I read it in MyIndo.com, and during that time I was so into that website. This particular dish is originated from the Javanese in Indonesia. Anything that sounds and smells like Indonesian is an obsession for me haha!

From Rasa Rasa, I moved to Kpg. No. 2???? Kpg. Bintangor? whatever it is, I had it in front of the new Dormani Hotel in Kuching last few weeks. Yes, I had it also last weekend at Haniis Bistro and yesterday, I went to Kwali Kitchen to try their version of Ayam Penyet.

Well, here I would like to judge from my own tongue to my fingertips of my experience indulging this simple and humble dish. Let us start from:

1. RASA RASA CAFE - no picture attached
Rice : just regular nasi putih
Sambal : sambel tomat! (tomato sambal) Very spicy.... 3 stars
Chicken : quite small
Veggies : so so. Just cucumber slices and cabbage.
Presentation : hmmm.. they put everything in a clay-made bowl except the rice.


2. In front of DORMANI HOTEL - no pic attached.
Rice : just regular nasi putih, quite dry
Sambal : sambal belachan that was so very spicy....
Chicken : small and too dry
Veggies : Pucuk Cantik Manis, cucumber slices and cabbage. Oh yes, the cabbage was not fresh and had bruises on.
Presentation : The chicken was served in a woven-like basket that is layered with a piece of brown paper. 3 stars


3. HANIIS BISTRO.


Rice : They use 'beras wangi' - fragrant rice
Sambal : sambal belachan that was moderately spicy....
Chicken : good portion, moderate
Veggies : Fried beancurd, cucumber slices, lettuce and cabbage. I noticed that the cabbage was fresh and sweet.
Presentation : The chicken was served in a banana leaf-like green plate. They even prepare hand washing teapot. Easier to eat Ayam Penyet with fingers. 4 stars


4. KWALI KITCHEN


Rice : They use 'beras wangi' - fragrant rice AND SOME FRIED ONION SPRINKLED on the rice which made it more appetizing to enjoy!
Sambal : sambal belachan that was moderately spicy and smooth. Apparently they blended the sambal. Yum yum!
Chicken : good portion, but the rice amount was too small.
Veggies : Okra (blanched Ladies Finger), Pucuk Cantik Manis, cucumber slices and cabbage.
Presentation : Everything is placed neatfully on a plate. 5 stars for them!


I still have a few more places to try like Gamelan, Chilli Peppers etc that serve this Nasi Ayam Penyet. Penyet is 'penyek' in Indonesian language. The right way to prepare the chicken is to de-skin the chicken and season it with the right 'bumbu' (ingredients). It will then fried till dry and by using 'cobek' or 'ulek-ulek' (Indonesian version of pestle and mortar (lesung batu)), pressed the chicken slightly and serve!

Ulek-Ulek

Yum yum... I'm drooling now... hahahaha!!

Double Digging With a Bout of Stomach Flu by Gardener Cumax

I got back into double digging. I needed two spots of yard dug out because I need sunny places. A huge silver maple blocks my garden for the first half of the day and where I dug is where the maple doesn't block it. I had a small area last year for squash. The dead grass was killed with leaves. I left those leaves on there from November to the first of May. I left it uncovered for 2 weeks to see if the grass would rejuvenate. It didn't, so on with the dig. I was dreading this dig for some reason but it went super smooth. It took me 30 minutes max to grid the grass cuts, dig them and make a small retaining wall with the grass chunks. I got this idea from visiting another gardener who tore out 1,000 sq ft of grass and made walls raised bed gardens from them. That seemed like an excellent idea to me. It takes less labor to move the grass chunks and since it's clay, it's pretty heavy and will eventually compact into its own little retaining wall. Then I got into the double-dig itself. I don't have pictures of this because if I stop, I'm going to take a rest and not really get back into the flow of it. It took an hour to dig it. Those white bags are top soil and composted manure from Ace Hardware. Since I've double dug this out, I need to amend the soil. This is a one time thing for both the digging and amendment. I did it last year to my main garden plot. One time amendment is only possible if you compost. Remember this: feed the soil if you want to feed your plants. Unless one has a compost in place throughout the year, your garden might not do so well in its second and subsequent years because most plants take nutrients out of the soil. These nutrients need to be replaced. You can learn more about gardening from the JeffCo Master Gardener's program. It's a great course with great people.

WEEKEND'S REVIEW: GABBY'S NEW HAIRCUT

She has been begging like crazy to go to the salon. After pleading me the past few weeks we and given us why she needs a new haircut, we finally brought her to a nearby salon at King Centre.

The result. She chose her own hairstyle. I didn't. "Layer left and right, up to shoulder and cut my front hair like a China doll, Miss.." I giggled when hearing that instruction coming out from my 8 years and 5 months old daughter.

"So what do you think about my Gawai's hair??? "

Welcome the Wind by Donna Duffy

“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.” - W.A. Ward

Regardless of your attitude toward the wind, it will find its way into your yard. Sure, it can cause a mess, but it can also add a touch of beauty and mystery. Lots of us have wind chimes that hint at a gentle breeze passing through, or warn us loudly of impending storms. My favorites are these two: one sounds like musical raindrops, the other an ancient-sounding gong that grabs my attention then fades to a whisper.



But my favorite way to welcome the wind is silently. With wind sculptures, the breeze takes shape and visibly moves through the yard. These two dancers
come to life with the slightest breeze, often before I’m aware that it’s arrived. It doesn’t take much to unceremoniously send them crashing to the lawn – not unlike being voted off Dancing with the Stars.






This metal maple leaf hangs from the maple tree, spinning and swaying like a carefree child – at one with forces invisible to others.

Several years ago, we installed three large wind sculptures in the backyard. They arrived from the artist all shiny and coppery, and have now weathered into an earthy patina. The smaller ones pick up the breeze easily, and change their tempo in perfect harmony with the wind.
The largest one stubbornly stands there, unwilling to budge until the wind sends limbs and debris hurling through the yard. Even then, it’s a slightly arrogant spin, slow and reluctant. In the winter, this sculpture is a silent snowy masterpiece.



So – love it or curse it – you might as well welcome the wind…it’s here to stay.

TINGGAL KENANGAN (JAUH KAU PERGI)

It all happened in 2007.

Thanks to Elfyna, my colleague who exposed this story to me. This is a true story happened in Bali, Indonesia. From my reading and findings on the internet, there are many versions of it. The famous version is about a girl, named Ega @ Geby who was in her high school years. She had a boyfriend who loved illegal racing and involved in a fatal accident one day. She couldn't accept the fact that she was losing the person that she loved the most.

One day, she performed this song at school's concert and hung herself at the school's store room. Her body was found by the security guard and in her pocket they found a short note, she was asking for apologies for not being strong enough to accept the fate. There are rumours saying, too, every time after this song being played, one will able to see the ghost of Ega. Eeeeeiiiiii!!

Seriously, I love the song after hearing it for my very first time. Found the chords on the net, I grabbed my mic and tried to sing it accordingly. Here is my raw voice. Sorry if I sound nasal. Haha! I tried it just for fun.

Anyone who can read Indonesian language, you may find the various versions here.

Weedy Things by Late Bloomer

One week in May:
Don't get me wrong. Last month I even loved seeing the weeds because I had been green-starved for too long. But that time is past and I have declared war on the unwanteds. My weedy things are another story. Weedy things are those self-seeding, spreading, creeping, and multiplying wonders that sometimes get carried away. I confess, I often let them take over in places where I need that kind of help.


Grape hyacinths make baby bulbs that magically sprout everywhere. They are not my favorite thing and are harder to remove than bindweed. But the unusual blue floweres are very welcome in early spring.




Lily of the Valley is beautiful with its little white bells lighting up all the shady places. They spread like the dreaded broadleaf grass in my yard.


Mint is very guilty of this too, but easy to control in a whiskey barrel.











Raspberries have woody spreading roots, but are easy to dig up and move or pot up and gift—unlike the horrifying thicket-ing habits of my grandmother's lovely yellow prairie rose nearby.








Dragon's blood sedum is my favorite ground cover. Started twenty years ago from one plant, I have it everywhere and it keeps out weeds as every good ground cover should, and spreads only where welcomed.




The silver dollar plants have heart shaped leaves and bloom profusely right along with the tulips. They are very weedy, but are not competitive, so they don't mind being surrounded with rampant garlic, mint, dandelions and grass. Later in the season they produce lunar-like seed pods for dry bouquets. Sweet Woodruff is delicate of leaf and flower, and spreads where invited.

The loveliest accident in the yard is a pale pink rose that grew and spread from the root ball of an aspen planted years ago. When it jumps the grass stop and invades the lawn it gets treated very badly.

SORRY BOY, THE DNA SAID NO!

Guys,

Still remember the story of Alfie?



Well, at least his Mom can sigh in great relief. Read this news for further story.

Lakewood Greenhouse Tour by Late Bloomer

Tuesday May 12




A dozen Master Gardeners gathered at the Lakewood city greenhouse on a warm spring morning made warmer by being in the greenhouse. The fans were turned off so that we could hear manager Mollie Fendley introduce us to our surroundings, which quickly became hot and humid. The greenhouse is very spacious and filled with vigorous plants, like an acre of spring green.



Mollie does not spray for insects indoors, and the only chemical concession make is the addition of a 21-18-18 fertilizer, mechanically mixed with water, for the hand watering of the annual plants. Annuals and perennials are grown from seed here. Starting in July, Mollie starts mums for autumn plantings, and poinsettias for the holidays. The latter are used in city offices and taken home during holiday break.

At the potting bench we are shown the artificial soil (a commercial potting mix) used in the greenhouse. Mollie has discovered that there are fewer problems with rot and damp-off if she mixed it 50/50 with squeegee,
a kind of pea gravel/ sand mix. The formulation is useful for the perennials, especially the more dry-tolerant xeric types. Annuals, perennials, and some shrubs are grown here for use in numerous Lakewood parks.

Mollie keeps a scrapbook of beautiful plantings throughout the city, and discussed changes being made, such as incorporating more water-wise and xeric plantings in the gardens. Lakewood's gem of xeric gardens is at Kendrick Lake park where low hills of plantings are grouped in different growing systems, and all plants labeled for viewer education.

In the greenhouse is a long table of alpine specimens being grown for a new display there. In addition to the usual annuals, and some very unusual and newly discovered perennials, the greenhouse is producing vegetable plants
which are for the employees and for a garden on premises for adding something special to the usual lunch fare of the workers.

As we headed outdoors, we were introduced to Greg Foreman
who is Mollie's new boss, and the Horticulture supervisor for Lakewood. He showed us a stash of conifers which has been given to the city by a homeowner who had changed his mind about a landscaping project. The workers will be keeping the potted trees alive and well before deciding what to do with them.

There is a fairly large structure next to the greenhouse that is used as a cold frame. It is like a small greenhouse, but has only ventilation (no heating or cooling) and is used primarily for cacti.
Also outside are several raised beds
where the viability of new plants is studied before their use in public beds. A discussion about the annual plant sale ensued, probably because this area of the yard bore no resemblance to the mob scene on May 2nd when they sold out in the first two hours to record crowds. Next year's sale will be planned differently to allow for the increased interest, and for efficient payment for purchases. Mollie is open to suggestions.

Thanks to our hosts for an informative tour, and to Heather for arranging the opportunity. Mollie and Greg both commented that we were virtually the first group of adults to tour the facility, and she was pleased with the enthusiasm and knowledge of the Master Gardeners. As for your reporter, I wish there were a way for the city to get around its hiring policies that make volunteering here impossible.