I recently ran into a bunch of old friends at Edward’s Restaurant.
To tell you how old they are, the topic of the conversation was trying to name the members of the early ’60s local rock band, the Off Beats. I have worked with Don Figuly, J.B. Hess and Ray Cole so I knew at least three members. The three I didn’t know were Jim Messener, Bernie Hanlon and Ernie Satlus.
In 1965, the guys got old and the band broke up.
I understand the getting old thing. Take our mauve Christmas tree ornaments. My wife informed me they were outdated and won’t be around next year. I was just beginning to like them.
I’m usually a few years behind the times with color trends, but not this year. Pantone has named the color of the year for 2010. It is — drum roll please — Pantone 15-5519, or as we know it, turquoise.
The reason I am going to be with it this year is, I received a turquoise sweater vest for Christmas. This year, as my Dad use to say when he was ahead at cards, “Call me Woofie, I’m leading the pack!”
Turquoise is suppose to put you in a vacation state of mind. It should remind you of the soothing tropical waters. When you see me in my sweater vest, you will feel like you are in Aruba.
Better yet, you can save a lot of coins by not going to Aruba. Just invite me over to your house instead so you can stare at my sweater vest. I wore it Sunday to church and I did notice a few people got sea sick.
When purchasing your garden accents this year, such as pots, pillows, rugs or containers, you will be in style if you choose the color turquoise.
The Perennial Plant Association has named Baptisia australis as the perennial of the year for 2010. You may know it as the native plant, Blue False Indigo.
If the word Baptisia looks a little like the word Baptist, it’s because it came from the Ancient Greek word bapto, meaning “to dip” or “immerse”. That’s something the Baptists like to do.
The plant will grow in full sun and get 5 feet high and wide. In mid to late spring it gets 1-foot long tapering spikes with blue/violet, pea-like flowers. It can be placed in the back of your perennial garden or as a specimen plant.
After the plant is done flowering, it is followed by 2- to 3-inch long black seed pods, which can be used in dried arrangements.
The plant has been used for medicinal purposes also. The common cold, fever and inflamed nipples (no comment, just reporting) have been said to be cured by Baptisia.
Another good use for the plant is, it repels flies. If you hang a bunch around your husband while he is sitting out back with his favorite beverage, the flies may not bother him. Either that or make him take a bath.
Now you are all in the know on what you need to be in style for 2010. You can also name the Off Beats, although Ray Cole said there were 30 different members who were in the band from time to time.
Who knows what band my friends will be discussing next? One of my all time favorites was the Croton band, Chuckie Cook and the Domars who played at Lakewood. I only remember two members who were Chuck Cook and Frank Papa, so I will need some clues who the others were.
I wonder why no one ever brings up the bands I was in?
Make your space a green space.
Today
GREENSPACE: 2010 brings color trend, versatile plant and a vest
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