Flowers.  Not just ordinary flowers like pansies, marigolds, or Johnny Jump ups. We are talking about flowers like in Hi-bred Tall Bearded Iris. This is from the 'workers' point of view, as that is what I do/did.  The State Flower of Tennessee is the Iris.   There are other "species" of the Iris as well, like "Bemini" an Intermediate Bearded Iris.  Within the elite Iris growing arena, the flower is actually named.  Let me tell you, growing and showing Iris is not for the faint at heart.  There is a LOT of work involved.  We started out growing those when we lived in North Minneapolis, and continued on to Henderson Nevada.  It all started when Pat's Mother decided it would be a great thing for THEM (her and her husband) to do.  I really don't know how we got involved except through the Mother - Daughter relationship.  But there we were, growing these plants and when Minnesota winters come about, they are buried snuggly under a heavy layer of hay/straw.  Then the work begins again in the early spring to get them ready for showing because Iris are an early Spring blooming flower.  As I recall, Pat pretty well did most of the technical stuff, I was always the encourager and the laborer in the fields.  I liked it that way.  The grooming of the flower for the show didn't seem like something that was all that appealing for me.  That was what Pat liked to do, and was fine with me.

When we moved to Henderson was when we really got seriously into growing and showing.  We dug our garden in the front yard at our first house which was mainly our prime time showing period.  We had over 100 different Iris of several different genre's (musically speaking) i.e. Tall Bearded, Intermediate Bearded, etc.  There were at least three plants, planted for each name (just in case theory). But they are not just planted in a hole dug in the dirt . . . O NOT SO EASY as THAT!  The soil must be prepare first. WHY?  Because regular dirt grows regular flowers.  "Special" dirt grows ShowCase flowers.  That's what I was told anyway, so what do I know?  To accomplish this feat of horticultural magic, one must prepare.  There is an actual recipe to follow.  To start out involves alpha cubes, water and a 32 gal. Garbage can.  The cubes are soaked in the water until they become loose and stir-able. Then other ingredients are mixed in the can, like triple sixteen fertilizer, and some other things like bone meal, etc.  That is stirred in and is tended by stirring and mixing for a few days.  Then the big day comes when Gary gets into his Farmer mode of operations, and appears in the front yard garden in his t-shir, shorts and bare feet.  The garden soil has already been prepared by raking smooth.  The garbage can(s) are in their places.  A small plastic (but substantial) bucket is at the ready.  The garbage can lids are removed, the small bucket is in hand!  Let the slopping of the GUNK begin!!  Spreading the GUNK mixture two-three inches thick as evenly over the garden area is the task at hand.  At this point, I make comment of the fact that I am shoeless, because it would ruin a pair so shoes, and is too "mucky" to wear flip-flops.  Besides, it has that warm squishy feeling between the toes.  So now we have everything out of the big garbage cans and glopped onto the dirt.  Out comes thick plastic sheeting and it is to cover what I just put down.  We lay whatever boards we have around the shed on top of the plastic to keep everything in place and the plastic from blowing away.  It stays that way for at least two weeks. Baking in the sun.  Killing any weeds that thought of growing in that mess.   Then tilling is started and the mixing of the glop and soil is done and complete.  The now highly enriched dirt is smoothed out and the mapping, planting, label placing, commences.  That is a two person project, so Pat is the Map Maker and I am the hole digger-plant planter.  It is a good system, believe me.  Each one enjoys their position in "the TEAM".  Now we sit back, and let God work His wonders, and I go in and (after a nice welcoming shower) have a refreshing Coke.

At the appropriate time, usually the evening before or the morning of the Southern Nevada Iris Society Show, the specimens are cut and placed in plain green (without labels) wine bottles.  The purpose is to show the flower, not the container.  Then they are CAREFULLY transported to the mall and placed in the appropriate category on the tables.  Later in the morning the Judges are there with their clipboards (what kind of judges would NOT have a clipboard).  The winners are named, the growers are proud and gushy and  mall shoppers are treated to a very nice display of a variety of Iris flowers.

One year as Pat was walking out the front door of our house on her way to the show, that little flower mentioned at the beginning of this issue . . . Bimini . . . was standing out there shouting "Take ME!"  So out came her knife and put her in an available bottle, and off she went.  Bimini WON Queen of the Show that year.  One of the judges was heard to say: " This looks like a porcelain iris."  Pat AND I were in tears......such proud parents of Bimini.

Pats Mother (Louise Todd) was the one who got us involved in Iris growing for shows. There was a California Hyberdizer that took a liking to Mom's outlook on Iris'.  He grew, developed and produced a beautiful tall bearded iris and put her name on it.  Louise Todd are in our garden today, proudly standing tall in their light blue glory, every spring.  I get to fuss with them late spring to keep them looking good for next year. Always something to do around the homestead you know.

Now wasn't that a touching story?  Every word is true.  I can't make this stuff up.  Well maybe a little, but it is all in the presentation, for your enjoyment.

What is the Point of this story?  God has such a wonderful and wide way to touch each and every one of us, somehow.  Some it is in the beauty of flowers.  Others it is in the majesty of the mountains. Still others is in the sound of music . . . . no I won't start singing, but its tempting.   All we need to do is to have our hearts, our eyes and ears open for His message of Love.  Maybe there is a sunrise or sunset coming up soon . . . just for you to watch.  Keep your eyes open.  Love each other.  Be kind to animals.

That's it for today.  Hope you enjoyed a little horticultural information and how God love YOU.

Blessings,
Gary