Each Little World

Waiting for Spring

At the beginning of March, when we felt so demoralized by the cold, snow and politics here in Wisconsin, I splurged on a breath of Spring at our local source for orchids, the Orchids Garden Centre and Nursery just down the road in Waunakee. I brought home two orchids: Phalaenopsis stuartiana 'Sogo' and this gorgeous Phalaenopsis 'White Dream' (below) which is almost in full bloom a month later. This week we are having warmer temps which are finally thawing the edges of the garden down by the street. A little thaw really helps when you're trying to get all those political yard signs stuck firmly in the ground.

Courtroom drama

HE SAID:

I went down to the courthouse this morning to watch the drama in person. Judge Maryann Sumi was hearing evidence on a number of issues surrounding Gov. Walker's attempt to force the "Budget Repair" bill into law. Last week the judge prohibited the Secretary of State from "publishing" the bill until the questions surrounding the legality of its passage were resolved. For a bill to be legal — and thus to go into effect — it must first be published by the Secretary of State. The Walker camp pulled an end run through another state agency to get the bill "published" and ordered that state employees begin having additional money deducted from their pay for retirement and and health insurance. I'm sorry, but that's about as simply as I can state it.

The courtroom itself was full by the time I arrived, so I joined the crowd of 100+ watching the proceedings in an overflow room. Even though I couldn't understand many of the arguments presented by the opposing counsel, it was clear that Judge Sumi meant to get to the bottom of things. And for the most part her comments and rulings were well received by the crowd. 

There were a number of familiar faces there, including our friend and Linda's former colleague John Nichols (of The Capital Times and The Nation) and his wife, Mary Bottari (of PR Watch). When he wasn't playing peek-a-boo with a nearby infant John was busy taking notes and texting. Mary spent much of her time ducking out to take phone calls. 

As has been the case at every event I've attended over the past weeks the people have represented every strata of society, all ages, and wide range of professions. And, they have been conspicuously peaceful, respectful, and engaged in what has been happening to our state. The two women below were doing live tweeting of the event.

I left before any decisions were made, but it makes all the difference in the world to observe the process in person, rather than get a sound bite on TV during dinner. I encourage everyone, if you can, to attend a court or legislative hearing. It's so much better than "Judge Judy."

Red twigs

One of the benefits of an early Spring visit to Olbrich Botanical Gardens is that you can see and enjoy all the backbone plantings of the garden. Trees and shrubs and grasses stand out in all their glory when there are no flowers to distract you. And nothing shines like the colorful stems of dogwoods and willows ... and a few other unexpectedly bright branches.

Inspiration: Geraldine Ferraro

If you were a woman of voting age in 1984, it was an election season to remember: Geraldine Ferraro was nominated as Vice President by the Democratic Party. Walter Mondale headed the ticket.

It was a glorious moment for women, made even more memorable when Ferrraro came to Madison and spoke to a huge crowd outside the Capitol. A co-worker and I went downtown on our lunch hour, along with my friend's daughter and infant granddaughter. We knew it was a historic occasion that might not come again in our lifetime. I remember we both cried, we were so moved by the moment. 

In the 30 years since that day there have been a lot of positive changes in the political landscape for women; but there is plenty of room for improvement. Ferraro — who has died at age 75 — will always be a touchstone and an inspiration.

Women workers: 1911 and 2011

It is a sad note on the fate of American workers that it took 100 years to finally identify all 146 victims of the 1911 Triangle Fire. As Michael Hirsch recently pointed out in The New York Times, "no NYC agencies and no newspapers at the time produced a complete list of the dead." Workers had few rights and limited power in the era of the fire, and women workers — most who died in the tragedy were women — had even less. Contrast that 1911 news coverage with the names of the dead and the moving eulogies that ran for weeks in the pages of the Times after the Sept. 11 attacks. From dishwashers to fire chiefs, all the workers who died were accorded the dignity of being recognized for their efforts.

 

Max Florin (left), Fannie Rosen, Dora Evans and Josephine Cammarata were among the final six unidentified victims of the Triangle Waist Company factory fire of 1911, which killed 146 and influenced building codes, labor laws and politics in the years that followed. New York Times photos.

 

The labor of women — whether inside or outside the home — is still often ignored, taken for granted or dismissed altogether. That's why women in the workforce still earn less than men. Women earned 59% of the wages men earned in 1963; in 2008 they earned 77% of men's wages — an improvement of about half a penny per dollar earned every year, but a wage gap nevertheless. Today in Wisconsin we are witnessing an unprecedented attack on workers by Gov. Walker and the Republican-controlled legislature. It is worth noting on this 100th anniversary of the Triangle Fire that a disproportionate share of the workers who will be most affected by the Governor's budget cuts and strategies are women: teachers, nurses, librarians to name just a few.

 

Bodies of victims of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire on the sidewalk outside the factory.

Reading the news about the Triangle Fire victims from my home in Madison, Wisconsin reminds me again of why we here are fighting for the rights of public workers to bargain collectively. Many of the benefits that all workers enjoy — from unemployment to worker's compensation to the weekend — had their beginning in Wisconsin. The organizers of events surrounding the Triangle anniversary said it best:

"We march not only to remember and reflect

but also to stand in solidarity with current worker action

around this country and around the world!"

 

You can find out what is happening in the U.S. and around the world to commemorate the Triangle Fire here. You can witness events in NYC via live streaming here. Or take part yourself by going outside on Friday, March 25 and ringing a bell at 4:45 p.m. EST, the moment the first alarm sounded for the fire at the Triangle factory.

We'd rather have been at the library

Even though it was only 36 degrees, windy and overcast at 9 a.m., we decided to go down to Monona Terrace to join members of the Wisconsin Library Association and the Wisconsin Educational Media and Technology Association who were gathering for Library Legislative Day. Lake Monona was looking soggy (but not yet iced out) and arriving marchers looked energized but cold — and damp. We were all soon more than damp as it started raining only moments after we left the shelter of Monona Terrace.  

The group, while not huge, managed to fill a couple of blocks of MLK Blvd. on their way to talk to members of the State Legislature about libraries and the budget bill. Usually those few blocks from the Convention Center to the Capitol Square present one of the most dramatic views of the Capitol, but we were all too intent on marching and trying to stay a bit dry to notice. We cheered the group on, snapped shots of their excellent signs (no surprise there) and walked once around the Square with them before parting. As they went to try to talk sense to some Senators, we enjoyed a sensible hot breakfast at Marigold Kitchen before returning home.   

Clare Leighton

When I first became interested in gardening in the mid-1970s, there were few books on the subject being published in the U.S. Thus most of my early garden book were all purchases from second-hand bookshops. My favorite local source was Paul's Books on State St. here in Madison, a model of everything one wants in such a shop: tons of titles, knowledgeable staff, wood floors and shelves, and a window filled with plants, art and alluring titles.

One of my favorite finds from Paul's is "Four Hedges: A Gardener's Chronicle," written and illustrated with wood engraving by Clare Leighton. I'm fortunate that I happened upon a 1935 first edition for only $8.95. The reasonable price reflects the fact that there is a hand-written inscription inside the front cover: Carrie Ashton Johnson from Bertha / August 24th, 1936. (Any readers recognize those names? An aunt or grandmother from Wisconsin, perhaps?)

 

 

I mention "Four Hedges" — the opening chapter is pictured above — because the book has just been re-issued by Little Toller Books, an imprint of Dovecote Press which re-publishes classic titles about nature and rural life. You can find used copies on Amazon or buy it new (free shipping) from the UK Book Depository for only $15.26. 

 

When Leighton wrote "Four Hedges" she was a novice gardener but a highly skilled artist. I admit that I have only ever read bits and pieces of the text over the years. Though it's delightful, it was Leighton's wood engravings that spurred me to purchase the book. For much of his art career my husband has done wood cuts and wood engravings, so the book seemed like a must for our garden library — and the perfect gift for him.

The Jan./Feb. issue of the magazine "Antiques" featured an excellent article about the illustrations Leighton did for the Wedgwood china company in the late 1940s. The firm commissioned a set of 12 engravings depicting New England industries to be reproduced on a series of Wedgwood plates. The project took three years of research and execution. 

The scenes Leighton chose could be considered farewell messages as they depict American life on the cusp of major changes. The images on the plates resonate strongly with me because they show industries that were also once critical to Wisconsin: ice cutting, cranberrying and logging. We are still a major producer of cranberries and lumber. 

This is the back of the plate pictured above. Anyone who has seen white pines of almost any size or age can understand Leighton's description and just imagine those ancient forests that went sailing around the world. 

Support Wisconsin libraries on March 22

March 22 is Library Legislative Day, a chance for users of Wisconsin public libraries to let our legislators know we believe in — and support — libraries and the services they offer. For many of us, the tight economy means we are using our libraries more than ever. From Bayfield's classic Carnegie Library (directly below) to Madison's up-to-the-minute Sequoya branch, we are fortunate to have wonderful libraries in our state, offering community meeting space, education and entertainment via books and electronic media, on-line job searching and general internet access. 

Gov. Walker's budget includes provisions that would harm state libraries, in particular the sharing system that benefits both libraries and users. The budget would remove a requirement "established in 1972 to ensure municipalities can't slash services and book budgets while taking advantage of the resources of neighboring libraries," according to an email press release from the Madison Public Library sent to library patrons. The budget also includes about a ten percent cut in state funding for libraries. It's obvious what effect these items will have on Wisconsin libraries. 

The library suggests a number of ways that folks who support their mission can help.

• March with library supporters from Olin Terrace to the State Capitol here in Madison beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 22. Meet at the Olin Terrace entrance to Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
• Participate in LIbrary Legislative day online.
• Register to attend the other activities that are part of Library Legislative Day. 

These events are co-sponsored by the Wisconsin Educational Media and Technology Association and the Wisconsin Library Association. If you can't make it to any of the events on Tuesday, you might want to sign up for updates that will keep you informed about how you can help our libraries. I just signed up so I can tell you that it's quick and very easy. 

Bikes and blooms

We took advantage of Wednesday's wonderful weather to arrive at Olbrich Botanical Gardens an hour early for the Wisconsin Hardy Plant Society monthly meeting. That gave us plenty of time to explore the gardens outside and the "Tour de Fleur" spring flower show inside. The display is open to the public daily until March 20 and well worth a visit.

The minute we stepped into the building we were enveloped in spring fragrances, including the wonderful smell of warm wet earth — more noticeable inside than out at the moment.

The bulbs, annuals and flowering trees and shrubs were in spectacular form — as was the team who designed and created this display. 

As local gardeners we never miss this chance to enjoy spring before the real season is fully upon us here in Madison. But this concept centered around bikes — antique, merely old and cutting edge creations — let the flowers show off in a way that's not always possible with some themed exhibits. 

Among our favorite bikes was this one (above and below) all fitted out for an artist sketching in the country. 

The country scene included a beautifully painted landscape backdrop.

We couldn't get enough of the blue and yellow bikes; not an inch was left unpainted. 

This bike has parts made of bamboo and will be raffled off. Here's ticket info.

The staff created this "natural" bike and had a number of other unusual bikes high on the walls overhead, not just mixed in among the flowers.

Something sweet for St. Pat's Day

After a recent dinner at one of our favorite restaurants — Sardine — three of us decided to split dessert. Alas, I did not get the name of the narrow slab of dense delicious flourless chocolate cake we shared. At one end the cake actually sat in a pool of caramel sauce, while the other end sported a Florentine cookie rather like a sail. Off to the side was a spray of finely crushed nuts. To eat it, you dipped a bite of cake in the caramel and then into the nuts, for a taste explosion on the tongue. We were all moaning through our mouthfuls . . .

I had promised to bring my maple pecan shortbread cookies to a small dinner party the very next weekend. After enjoying Sardine's elegant offering, I decided to try my hand at creating a dessert of multiple flavors and textures — elegantly presented. Here's my dessert plate: vanilla ice cream, coffee caramel sauce (Stonewall Kitchen), and chopped toasted pecans with the maple leaf cookies.  

And Mark's personal preference: the more is more version.

I think it would make a perfect finale — with a glass of Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey — to a St. Patrick's Day dinner. After all, every woman deserves her Dew — especially if she also made dinner and dessert!