What a beautiful tribute to your father, Bob. And he was certainly a wonderful man and father. It explains why you became a wonderful man and father, too. Enjoy your day!
Thank you for your enlightening tribute to your Papa! I loved his Chrysanthemums in your backyard! I'm putting Portland on my bucket list to check out the flowers! LOL!
Lydia ... let's plan that trip together. The closest I've come to exploring Portland was to fly over the river into (and out of) the airport. The river and trees captivated my love of nature a few decades long ago.
Great Father's Day story Bob. I've always thought we somehow have things in common. One is the fact that our father's left this world a year apart: my father passed in 1988.
Your column gives me the idea that I probably have more in common with your father than with you: I Love flowers, and always have.
When I was 13 and 14, I was growing and hybridizing iris, many which my mother had brought back to Texas from California, and others we ordered from Lloyd Austin's Rainbow Gardens in Placerville.
My first trip back to California in 2011 was spent primarily visiting iris gardens, after I went to the iris show in Sacramento and spent a day or two in Folsom, where I had resided. Before I drove south I then visited a garden in Auburn. From there down 99 to Merced and west on 140 to Cathey's Valley and Superstition Iris Gardens. I went there before going to Yosemite.
Made it all the way to Porterville for another iris grower's garden, which has since moved to Idaho. On the way back north, I stopped in Modesto to visit gardens of a couple I met at the iris show in Sacramento. From there to gardens in Napa, then over the top from Calistoga to Santa Rosa, where I spent a couple of days catching my breath. That was it for the iris.
I had to give up on iris when I moved south; tall bearded iris will grow here but don't bloom: they need a certain number of cold days to set buds. So my CA trip was a chance to see many in bloom.
Now my little backyard is full of flowers of many kinds: geraniums, marigolds, crown of thorns, plumeria and baby chrysanthemums. Plus lots of tradescantia (often known as "wandering Jew") and airplane plants, thanks to my second wife.
My favorite of all your columns. Well done, thanks, and Happy Father’s Day. My mother was the gardener in our family and inspired in all her children a passion for gardening. We are newly moved from Davis to North Carolina and beginning to plant our new garden. The Frau Karl Druschke will be on the short list.
Yes, it was a different era for journalism 100 years ago. The Oregonian, which is still going strong, was really charmed by this story and gave it great play.
Wow, wow, wow ... The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, so to speak. My father, also a UCD Graduate with an M.S in Agronomy/Agricultural Ed, used to say, "A weed is merely a flower out-of-place." Therefore, his first born loves to have dandelions, clover and marguerites growing in her lawn. I smirk every time someone suggests I apply Weed n Feed to the lawn and dust my roses to deter aphids, remembering that Dad also would have said, "Oh no, then you would kill off all of the beneficial insects who feed on aphids." That year I read in Western Gardens, that aphids love alyssum more than roses; so I plant a crop of alyssum at the base of my roses before it is warm enough for the beneficial insects (lady bugs, katydids and preying mantis, etc.) to snack on fattened-up aphids. Happy (belated) Father's Day
What a beautiful tribute to your father, Bob. And he was certainly a wonderful man and father. It explains why you became a wonderful man and father, too. Enjoy your day!
Thanks so much, Jan
Thank you for your enlightening tribute to your Papa! I loved his Chrysanthemums in your backyard! I'm putting Portland on my bucket list to check out the flowers! LOL!
Go to the Rose Garden in Portland, in the west hills up by the Zoo. The roses are labeled by the year they won the Grand Prize.
Lydia ... let's plan that trip together. The closest I've come to exploring Portland was to fly over the river into (and out of) the airport. The river and trees captivated my love of nature a few decades long ago.
especially great column my pod, happy father’s day to you and gramp. i also love flowers even dandelions 🌼
I Love dandelions, too.
They're very sweet, poking up in the lawn unexpected and unannounced.
As some guy on the radio used to say, we now know the rest of the story. And a great one it is. Happy Father's Day.
You're too kind, JD. Thanks a million.
Great Father's Day story Bob. I've always thought we somehow have things in common. One is the fact that our father's left this world a year apart: my father passed in 1988.
Your column gives me the idea that I probably have more in common with your father than with you: I Love flowers, and always have.
When I was 13 and 14, I was growing and hybridizing iris, many which my mother had brought back to Texas from California, and others we ordered from Lloyd Austin's Rainbow Gardens in Placerville.
My first trip back to California in 2011 was spent primarily visiting iris gardens, after I went to the iris show in Sacramento and spent a day or two in Folsom, where I had resided. Before I drove south I then visited a garden in Auburn. From there down 99 to Merced and west on 140 to Cathey's Valley and Superstition Iris Gardens. I went there before going to Yosemite.
Made it all the way to Porterville for another iris grower's garden, which has since moved to Idaho. On the way back north, I stopped in Modesto to visit gardens of a couple I met at the iris show in Sacramento. From there to gardens in Napa, then over the top from Calistoga to Santa Rosa, where I spent a couple of days catching my breath. That was it for the iris.
I had to give up on iris when I moved south; tall bearded iris will grow here but don't bloom: they need a certain number of cold days to set buds. So my CA trip was a chance to see many in bloom.
Now my little backyard is full of flowers of many kinds: geraniums, marigolds, crown of thorns, plumeria and baby chrysanthemums. Plus lots of tradescantia (often known as "wandering Jew") and airplane plants, thanks to my second wife.
And yes, I do like dandelions.
Great, great stuff, John. Yes, we have much in common.
I think everyone loves dandellions.
Yes, except Dad took us to the Chem lab at night when he was running experiments, and to the dump on weekends. 😂
Sounds like your dad, Robin
Lovely story, Bob, and great memories.
Weren't we lucky to grow up in this town, Robin, with so many great moms and dads watching over us and teaching us about life.
Bob … You’ve done it again. You have brought a smile to my lips and tears to my eyes. A great Father’s Day and Gardening Tribute. Loved it!
Thanks so much Jim.
So many great memories on this day.
My favorite of all your columns. Well done, thanks, and Happy Father’s Day. My mother was the gardener in our family and inspired in all her children a passion for gardening. We are newly moved from Davis to North Carolina and beginning to plant our new garden. The Frau Karl Druschke will be on the short list.
Amazing how much personal information the newspaper printed about a minor. Such different times. Cool story. Happy Father’s Day, Bob.
Yes, it was a different era for journalism 100 years ago. The Oregonian, which is still going strong, was really charmed by this story and gave it great play.
Happy Father's Day to your family as well.
Bob, I very much enjoyed the loving tribute to your Dad-good job! (As always)
Thanks, Patricia.
Much appreciated.
I was so blessed to have such a dad.
Wow, wow, wow ... The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, so to speak. My father, also a UCD Graduate with an M.S in Agronomy/Agricultural Ed, used to say, "A weed is merely a flower out-of-place." Therefore, his first born loves to have dandelions, clover and marguerites growing in her lawn. I smirk every time someone suggests I apply Weed n Feed to the lawn and dust my roses to deter aphids, remembering that Dad also would have said, "Oh no, then you would kill off all of the beneficial insects who feed on aphids." That year I read in Western Gardens, that aphids love alyssum more than roses; so I plant a crop of alyssum at the base of my roses before it is warm enough for the beneficial insects (lady bugs, katydids and preying mantis, etc.) to snack on fattened-up aphids. Happy (belated) Father's Day
Wow, Sherri, that is a lot to digest. Literally. Lady bugs or fat aphids for dinner? What a choice.
ha-ha-ha. The aphids are lower on the food chain than those "beneficial insects". Sacrifices must be made for the roses.
Happy Father’s Day Bob. This is my new favorite piece by you.
Thanks so much, Jenn. So appreciated.
Thanks for making me cry. 🙂
Truly a lovely story!
You made my day, Carolee.
Thank you
What a lovely story, Bob. You made me remember so many things about my dad. Happy Father's Day!
Having a great dad is a great blessing.
Great story. Thank you for sharing that wonderful memory.
Thanks so much, Len.
Much appreciated.