I Simply Remember These Favorite Things with Dr. A 2024 in Review
I remember a famous sportscaster named Larry Munson, who was the voice of the University of Georgia football team. If you could listen to Larry during a game, you would turn the sound off on your TV. He was revered. One day, I heard Larry giving his opinion about about movies he had watched in our local theatres. He had no training as a movie critic, but no one thought twice; they wanted to hear from Larry and then have a good laugh over a glass of wine. It became so popular that he invited some of the Georgia cheerleaders and other young ladies (no men) to join him so he could provide a more rounded opinion. No one cared; it was Larry. And what was truly obvious was that he was having a ball!
Anyway, that is how this plant guy started writing about his favorite things. I may not have Larry’s reverence, but I am having Larry’s fun. Enjoy a glass of wine or sherry (the drink of choice by my grandmother) or eggnog - and smile, laugh, and enjoy all that life tosses your way – even my Favorite Things.
Thank you for staying with me this year. I have received so much wonderful feedback from my readers. Writing each of these monthly Favorites is a joy and allows me to reminisce about good travels, delve into great books, and more.
Here are my Favorite Things from 2024, all in one place.
The Plants
So many choices, so little space.
January Coral bark maple Acer palmatum ‘Sango Kaku’ Tree
February Pineapple lily Eucomis Perennial
March Lungwort Pulmonaria Perennial
April Annual vinca Catharanthus, Soiree series Annual
May Rex begonia hybrids Begonia rex hybrid Annual
June Carex Carex ‘Feather Falls’ Perennial
July Panicle hydrangea Hydrangea paniculate Shrub
August Voodoo lily Amorphophallus ‘Konjac’ Perennial
September Northern maidenhair fern Adiantum pedatum Perennial
October Pineapple sage Salvia rutilans Perennial
November Large yellow salvia Salvia madrensis Annual
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The Gardens
There are so many wonderful gardens, and so many are yet to be seen.
January The Farm & Gardens at Monticello Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
February Atlanta Botanical Gardens Atlanta, Georgia, USA
March Chateau de Villandry Villandry, France
April Alaska Botanical Garden, Anchorage, Alaska, USA
May Chicago Botanic Garden, Chicago, Illinois, USA
June Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden Western Cape Province, South Africa
July Jardins de Metis Grand-Metis, Quebec, Canada
August Palermo Botanic Garden Palermo, Sicily, Italy
September Olbrich Botanical Garden Madison, Wisconsin, USA
October Mount Stewart Newtownards, Northern Ireland
November Powys Castle Welshpool, Wales
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The Books
The tip of the iceberg, no end to great reading out there.
January Horse, Geraldine Brooks
February The Wager, David Grann
March Gaining Ground, Forest Pritchard
April Hidden Genius, Marie Benedict
May Rachel Hatch, L.T. Ryan
June Isaac’s Storm, Erik Larson
July A Woman of No Importance, Sonia Purnell
August Remarkably, Bright Creatures, Shelby Van Pelt
September The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating, Elizabeth Tova Bailey
October Anxious People, Fredrick Backman
November The Women, Kristin Hannah
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The Shows & Movies
No wonder we get nothing done around here
January Nyad Documentary
February The Boys in the Boat Movie
March Navillera Streaming
April Slow Horses Streaming
May Our Planet Documentary
June The Mentalist Streaming
July One Life Movie
August Extraordinary Attorney Woo Streaming
September The British Baking Show Streaming
October Wonder Movie
November The Lincoln Lawyer Streaming
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The Places
There is so much to see so many people to mee
January Newfoundland, Province in Canada
February Buranom, Island in Venice, Italy
March Port Jefferson, Long Island, New York
April Jekyll Island, Barrier Island, Georgia
May Highlands of Scotland, Scotland
June Grenada, Andalusia region of Spain
July Hakone, Town in Fuji National Park, Japan
August Culloden, Battlefield Museum in Scotland
September Dyjandi Waterfall, Westfjords, Iceland
October St Michael’s Mount, Cornwall, England
November The Great Wall of China, China
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Be featured next month by leaving a little feedback, please.
Anyone who enjoys reading, travel, and gardens could write a column like this. So, if you are keen, send me feedback on your favorites and include a book, place, plant, or garden you recommend.
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