There is a reason.

Well, I was complaining about the weather yesterday. Moaning that Oklahoma is incomprehensible. But then this morning Kathy reminded me that there is a reason for this weather phenomenon. A perfectly predictable reason that occurs every year and screws up our weather.... Today is the first day of the Art Festival! That's right, just like the first day of the state fair, the art festival brings with it cold and wind and rain and yuk! See, Oklahoma weather is completely predictable. Just ignore those tornadoes that whapped El Reno, I think those were just there to excite the weather guys with their new brands of radar. We went to Wal-Mart last night while the whole thing was going on and just before we went in they herded everyone to the back. When we went in the parking lot was full and there was a line at every register. By the time we got our stuff there were no lines and you could park about anywhere. So here is the new plan, whenever the tornado sirens go off, let's all meet at Wal-Mart. It is about the only time I've ever seen the joint empty.

I have discovered one of the differences between men and women. Last night Kathy and I were talking about Erin having her second birthday a few days ago and while we were both tearing up she was saying that if they still lived in California we could have gone to the party. And I was thinking how awful that would be! I hate kids birthday parties because there is so much stuff going on. I like having them on non-days. You know, you go and get the kid because it's Thursday. Something like that. Well, I guess I better get over hating kids birthdays because Maddox's first is coming up and the party is over here. Well, I'll pass that when I get to it. At least I get to see the kid!

I finished the second article for Susan's Historic Homes newsletter. This one is on informal styles and the third will be on the romantic style, my favorite! Here's the second article:
Landscaping Design for Vintage Homes, Informal Styles

Landscaping for historic and vintage homes can take several forms, but there are two broad classifications that should be selected from before you start to choose your landscape. These are formal and informal. These two classifications may be mixed but only with great care, otherwise the landscape looks messy instead of planned.
The cottage garden is usually thought of when informal styles are mentioned. There are two main types, English and American. The English style is characterized by little hardscaping using reclaimed materials. Arches built of tree trimmings and reclaimed stone paths. Plants are mostly ornamentals and left looking untrimmed. The American style is a mixture of ornamentals and food plants with a dense planting style that allows different species to intermingle.
Both American and English styles typically use plants from seed and cuttings from neighbors, this is after all how they started historically, and a mixture of perennials and annuals. There should be a strong sense of companionships in planting rather than beds of varieties. And colors are not only added by what looks good on the color wheel but also by strong splashes of vibrant colors for accent. The important part to remember is that while maintenance is low, it is by no means nonexistent. Although plants are allowed to intermingle, they are not allowed to run rampant. And allowing plants to self-seed does not mean allowing them to self-seed just anywhere. Lines are curved instead of straight and allow parts of the garden to be discovered. Plants are often natives or well behaved imports and usually of the older varieties. Use repetition of colors and varieties in the garden to not only please the eye but also settle the mind. But the most important rule in informal gardens is to allow yourself to break the rules. If you have a plant or an art object or a color that doesn't really succeed, use it anyway, please yourself.

Enjoy yourself today. Go to the art festival, or better yet, make your own art. Draw, paint, sing dance. Make art for yourself and for God.

Wayne