A Fine Day In The Garden

Gemey and I went to the Botanical Garden the other day. Many of our fair city's treasures go underappreciated by the local folk. These attractions are so close, so readily accessible that we take them for granted and don't take them at all. When visiting Chicago, we would cram Shedd Aquarium, the Science and Industry Museum and Navy Pier in as many days, since to return would require another lengthy trip, but our Zoo, Botanical Garden and Art Museum are always there, the lovely girl next door you are too thick to ask to the dance.

The weather was magnificent. If the combination of moderate temperatures and cheerful sunshine were to continue, our property values would soar as St. Louis became an ascendant resort capital. We went to what I used to call Shaw's Garden, parking and paying our trivial three bucks each to gape at flora.

First things first though, there is shopping to be done. Our Botanical Garden is a hotbed (pardon the turn) of advanced life-science research, boasting an amazing array of achievements, rivaling centuries older societies in the UK and Europe. That said, the gift shop was brimming with snake-oil and dingbat therapeutics. For a place of science, the worst of the New Age cosmetologicals combining overpriced and over-scented while diminishing neither were at the merchandising apex in the expansive store. But then if an $18.00 cucumber, cinnamon, and lavender candle with a scent strong enough to make you pray help me sniff a vast array of lilacs, roses and lilies for a mere $3.00, what do I care?

Speaking of which, the daylilies were gorgeous, perfectly lit under that day's sun. Bright and smiley, I took lots of photos, always pausing to appreciate their gentle gradients of color with my naked eye. Gemey and I would hold hands on and off as we strolled along, chatting, pausing to drink in this flower or that. She is the gardener between us, I couldn't grow dandelions. I'm sure she was looking at the different presentations made by the MBG staff, getting ideas.

The English Woodland Garden was wonderful, hibiscuses in bloom among the shade and softening mulch. The woodland canopy admitted light through its twiggy fingers, giving a cool, placid feel to the place. The benches practically patted themselves, inviting the visitor to sit a spell and catch up with the foliage - it's been so long since our last visit, they said.

Gemey got me to rubbing leaves between my thumb and forefinger in the herb garden, an we played "what's that smell?" jabbing our fingers under each other's noses. At first it is great fun, though with no way to clear your "palette" you eventually are smelling mint, thyme, lemongrass, anise and dill all at once with moderately unpleasant results.

Sigh. I write this at my desk on my lunch break, daydreaming about the Garden and the skies outside are still perfect. I'm not quite ready to be working, I suppose. 'Twas such a nice day.

Tim McNabb