I Simply Remember These Favorite Things with Dr. A, March 2024
March 2024
A Plant:
Lungwort - Pulmonaria
Pulmonaria ‘ Roy Davidson’ at Niagara-on-the-Lake
The term “wort” means looks like or is useful for, and for early plant taxonomists, the spotting on the leaves resembled the alveoli of the lungs; thus, the pulmonary system was honored. This is an excellent shade-tolerant perennial that loves the cold (it can be aggressive in Montreal) but also does well in almost all climes. There are dozens of choices: splurge and buy three.
A Garden:
The chateau at Villandry is spectacular and well worth a walkthrough, but the gardens are stunning. Yes, they are way over the top, but the oohs and aahs you will be muttering as you look at the formal gardens, the vegetable gardens, and their sheer size will soon be a loud chorus. The vegetables alone are out of this world, as are the ornamentals, but the incredible designs of the grounds and the amount of labor that goes into this garden is what you will remember. France is a wonderful destination, but get out of Paris and go down to the Loire Valley.
A Book:
Gaining Ground, a story of farmers’ markets. local food and saving the family farm.
Author: Forest Pritchard
Nonfiction. After discovering that five freight car loads of his hard-grown corn netted a profit of $18.16, a young Forest Pritchard vowed to save the family farm. He makes decisions that are not popular with his family and essentially turns normal agricultural practices on their heads. This is not a book about farming but about family, small victories, and saving a lifestyle. The book is well written with a good dose of humor, and in the end, I walked away with inspiration and hope.
A Show:
Navillera (from Korea, Netflix)
I recommended this show in November of 2022. I had no plans to repeat myself until our book club decided to recommend streaming shows as well as books. To a person, everyone was entertained and touched. The Korean dialog and English subtitles take a few minutes to get used to but believe me, you will quickly forget that you are reading rather than listening.
There are no bullets, murders, or dark secrets, but a feel-good (yet complex) show of a 70-year-old retired mailman who wants to fulfill his childhood dream of being a ballerina. It sounds crazy, but for me, this is the second-best streaming show I have ever watched.
A Place:
Port Jefferson, Long Island, NY
I spent a lovely day in Port Jefferson in Suffolk County, Long Island. If you spend time in LI or the city, this is a relaxing and laid-back part of the Island. Originally known for its shipbuilding, Port Jef (pop, ~8,000) now sports excellent accommodations and restaurants, and walking about the town is a pleasure.