Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Will you be in Minneapolis this July?

You know how you can make a decision for all the right reasons but it still feels wrong? That's how I'm feeling about missing this year's Garden Bloggers Fling in Minneapolis. There are a few reasons I'm sitting this one out, chief among them is the fact Lila (our senior dog, she's 14) responded so poorly when we boarded her over Christmas that Andrew and I decided to not board her again if we can help it. This means no long vacations away this year, we're going to enjoy every bit of the time we have left with her.
2015 Garden Blogger's Fling in Toronto, Canada
 
However as I read about the preparation for this summer's Fling I can't help but be a bit sad that I'm going to miss it. Who wouldn't love a long weekend spent touring gardens (public and private), nurseries, and chatting with other bloggers while you do so?
2014 Garden Bloggers Fling in Portland, Oregon
(I'm not in this photo because I was home spiffing up my garden for everyone to visit right after this!)
 
That last part is what really bums me out about missing this event. I've attended 4 Flings: Seattle, San Francisco, Portland and Toronto. Since my first time in Seattle I've only missed one (Asheville, NC) and I remember reading social media updates during that Fling and how much I wished I was there with everyone. The people are what makes these events so much fun...
2013 Garden Blogger's Fling in San Francisco, California
 
So what about you, are you going to the Fling this summer? There's a list on the Fling blog of all those who've registered (as of March 14th). I see the Texas contingent is still strong (11 people) and there are quite a few new names, people I've not met before. Of course there are also a lot of old friends who I'll miss seeing. So if you're a garden blogger and you're at least considering attending let me encourage you to do so...sign up while there are still spots available. You won't regret it.
2011 Garden Bloggers Fling in Seattle, Washington
 
And if you are going I've got a favor to ask...will you be my Agave spotter? I made a game of trying to find as many Agaves as possible in Toronto. At first it looked to be an impossible task, but finally they started to add up. What about Minneapolis? It's definitely not a climate where one would expect to see many, but surely there will be a few? In fact the photo below, of a container planting at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, seems to confirm it. Isn't that a small agave (maybe 'Blue Glow'?) tucked in behind the Sedum? And the organizers recently posted about their native cactus, so who knows what's possible... 

All material © 2009-2016 by Loree Bohl for danger garden, except photos which were reused by permission. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

30 comments:

  1. You're such good dog parents! You and Lila are lucky to have found each other! I'll be missing this year's fling as well and will also be sorry to miss all of the fun bloggers attending.

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    1. She was such a trooper up in Spokane last week. I so enjoy her willingness to go along on whatever adventure we throw at her. As long as we allow plenty of time for sleep and she doesn't miss a meal, of course.

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  2. Spoil her and spend time with her! Having dealt with an elderly cat a couple of years ago, I know exactly what you're going through. I'll be missing the Fling also, but for entirely different reasons. Hope we can meet at one in the future!

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  3. I've been following the posts about the Minneapolis Fling too, and feeling the excitement building. Looking forward to reading posts about it!

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    1. Post-Fling posts definitely take on a different feel when you weren't there to enjoy it all first hand. Let's hope this year's attendees are avid bloggers!

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  4. Now you're making me really wistful that I'm not attending this year. Finances are the major culprit in my decision - bah! I'm definitely going to miss seeing all the great Flingers I've come to know and enjoy, and I look forward to them sharing all the lovely gardens I know they'll be seeing. Amy and group are doing a great job on their planning! And Lila is so lucky to have such good pup parents!

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    1. Finances are definitely an important part of vacation planning!

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  5. I am going to miss you but totally understand not boarding your lovely Lila. We are fortunate that Shawn's Mom comes and stay with our dogs when we travel and they see it as a treat. Shawn and I will be on the look out for agave. Remember the cool ones we saw in the park in Canada. I was so supersized they could live there.

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    1. Yay for Agave-spotters! I think those ones at the park were probably lifted for the winter. I'm still upset with myself for not striking out on my own and getting close-ups of them.

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  6. I'll be visiting the fling through the eyes (and cameras) of bloggers and thus not feeling too deprived, except, as you say, of the people connections. Clever of you to throw out the Agave challenge. It always enhances an experience to be on the lookout for something specific. Lovely Lila is being allowed to age in place, as we all hope to do. She's our dog too, thanks to your generous sharing of her.

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    1. Ah, that comment "She's our dog too" made me a little teary eyed and happy. Thanks Ricki.

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  7. If nothing else there should be some Agaves in the big glasshouse whose name and location I can't remember. Opuntia is the most common cactus around here. It grows wild on the upper slopes of hills in more prairie landscapes. I remember the first time I came across it and was amazed to see such a thing!

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    1. So many people don't realize that all but (2??? I think???) states have native Opuntia. They're everywhere!

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  8. Agave challenge accepted! I'm going to miss having a chance to hang out with you at this year's Fling (darn it!), but I completely understand why you can't be there. As you say, for those who are free to attend, it's a can't-miss event, not just for the gardens, which are always beautiful and/or fascinating to see, but for the people -- like-minded, garden-obsessed souls who enjoy sharing their gardening adventures online.

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    1. Okay your comment is not helping!!! I'm going to miss it all...

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  9. We'll surely miss you, Loree! I remember meeting you in person last year, with your welcoming smile. But I can understand your decision, regarding Lila (what a sweetie). This year's Fling is close enough for me to drive very easily, so I couldn't pass it up. Since this will be my second Fling, I'll try to be better about organizing my photos. ;-) And I'll be on the lookout for Agaves.

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    1. Being able to drive is a definite plus. The fact that Seattle was within driving distance definitely helped my decision to attend my first Fling.

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  10. Your photo album of past Flings was fun to look at. With the poor exhange rate on the Canadian dollar, I really had to bite on the stick really hard to hit "pay." But I've never regretted Flinging since my first in Buffalo – I've made some life friends. And, regardless of the high US$, it's still one of the best (if not *the* best) values for the garden-addicted traveller.

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    1. That exchange rate business is tough, I still remember the mental gymnastics I went through to consider purchases in London...and then the shock when I figured out what my "real" price was.

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  11. We are in the exact same situation with Ein, and I can't leave my mom for too long either. So sorry to hear Lila had a rough boarding experience. You need to find a nice young intern who likes to house-sit dogs and take care of gardens. Except for age, job, and distance, I'd be a plantlust intern in a heartbeat!

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    1. Ah thanks Denise! I do have a friend that I considered, but since she's got to have meds at 5:30 am, 1:30 pm and 9:30 pm it really restricts our options!

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  12. I'm also sorry that I can't attend, even though I've only been to one Fling (Portland) so far. It's not where you go or what you see there, it's who you see it with.

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    1. Well said Alan...bummer you can't attend esp. since it's "practically" in your back yard.

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  13. I am going to miss you Loree! It really makes sense to stay home with Lila. I did the same thing when my darling cat, Coal was fading. See you next year. xogail

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  14. Lila deserves the attention. I can't say I'd be very excited about visiting Minnesota, even if I could afford it, but I'm sure the company would make up for it.

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  15. So sorry that we'll miss you, but your reasoning sounds entirely right to me. Maybe we'll see you in DC.

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