Flinging into spring

Yesterday was one of those days that stay with you for a lifetime. The great garden bloggers who have been giving me root room on their blogs for the tour? I actually got to meet four of them yesterday, at the Garden Bloggers Spring Fling! Carol, from May Dreams; Kathy, from Cold Climate Gardening; Annie-in-Austin of Transplantable Rose; and MSinclair of Zanthan Gardens. And many more--some 35+ garden bloggers, soaking up the splendid Saturday morning sunshine at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin. Here are Transplantable Rose and May Dreams, as we gathered for the start of our garden tour. Real people behind those really wonderful blogs you've been visiting with me, all concerned for the health of the earth, of the soil, of the air, of our water.

One of the garden's many beauty spots is the small pool near the entry, where this delicate spider lily was blooming, in the company of a trio of redeared sliders, soaking up the sun.

After a morning in the gardens we had lunch at Nuevo Leon, with Tom Spencer (of KLRU's "Texas Gardening") as our speaker. Then I had to say goodbye and go back to the LBJWFC, to the gift shop, where I was scheduled to do an afternoon book signing. We had a good turnout of Austin friends and out-of-town folks. I love to sign there--Joe Hammer and his gift shop volunteers always make me feel at home. From the garden bloggers in the morning to the signing in the afternoon, it was a lovely, blessed day, rich with old friends and new. I can't say thank you enough to the wonderful Austin garden bloggers who organized the gathering, to the people who came from so far away to share their energies and their friendship, and to Joe for his hospitality.

Reading note: Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.--Margaret Mead

Comments

[Troy Mullens]

Nice post. Do you like spider lilies and Spring wildflowers?

Martha nad I did a run down to the cTexas coast a few weeks ago to check out the spring wildflowers and discovered some wild spider lilies.

http://tinyurl.com/6r8etc

You might enjoy these.

Troy and Martha in Ft. Worth

[Dawn]

Susan,

What perfect photos to represent the day! It was such a pleasure to meet you at the Spring Fling last weekend and an honor to buy two of your signed books. I'm so glad you were able to join us for the luncheon as well. It was such a lovely day.

Regards,
Dawn

[Kathy Purdy of Cold Climate Gardening]

I was glad to meet you, too, and sorry we couldn't talk more. If you're ever in upstate NY--Ithaca, Binghamton, Syracuse--I'd love to show you my garden.

[Layanee]

Susan: Your books are on my list! I enjoyed your commentary on Spring Fling and wish I had met all the great bloggers. Glad you had a great time!

[Pam/Digging]

Susan, it was wonderful to meet you and to have one of your books autographed for me. I've been following your blog tour and enjoying it quite a lot without even knowing your characters. Now that I have one of your mysteries in my hot little hands, I'll probably be addicted to your series in no time. Thanks for joining us.

[Crafty Gardener]

I've been reading some accounts of the Spring Fling and it sounded like a wonderful get together. The photos have been lovely too. I'm sure all the participants will have many memories to take home with them.

[Crafty Gardener]

I've been reading some accounts of the Spring Fling and it sounded like a wonderful get together. The photos have been lovely too. I'm sure all the participants will have many memories to take home with them.