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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 30, 2018)
16 // COASTWEEKEND.COM Continued from Page 4 Nancy Allen and Darleen Hauser are chief organizers of the summer garden event. The two women spend a good part of their lives orga- nizing and defining the tour, and in so doing, might easily qualify as a tour de force themselves. But their inspiration plows deeply into the soil, the sustainer of life and beauty. Darlene talks about a “natural high” that evolves through color, fragrance and individuality. Nancy’s explanation: “excitement for the soul.” Their attitude and com- mitment cross a borderline between “joie de vivre” and “Build it and they will come!” U-Pic k 100% Natural Blueberrie s Open Daily ‘til 6 pm $2.00 lb. Cranguyma Farms 113th & Sandridge N. Long Beach, WA DAVID CAMPICHE PHOTO When not exploring the Welsh countryside aboard a narrow canal boat, Nancy can be a bit of a chick- en-raising homebody who stores up a cartload of en- ergy to attack those months of detail and planning that remain essential to carrying off a successful tour. Darlene is a lovely side- kick who supplies backbone and a team force. There are many others who unselfishly participate. CIVIL W AR! REENACTMENT SE P TEMBER 1-3, 2018 N E W LO C A TION! CLATSOP COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS GATES OPEN AT 9:00 A.M. BATTLES 11 A.M. & 3 P.M. SAT & SUN. - NOON MONDAY LIVING HISTORY ALL DAY ADMISSION: ADULTS: $8, ADULTS 55 & UP, MILITARY & KIDS 6-12: $5, KIDS 5 & UNDER: FREE. PARKING $5 NOW RECRUITING! VISIT ONLINE AT NWCWC.NET Miracle of plants Again, we must ask, what is the motivation? Is it that spark of the unexpected? Is it the miracle of plants, beginning as seeds and then slowly blossoming into displays of light, color and smell? We go to museums to sustain a craving for the mysterious and unexpected, for craftsmanship and cre- ativity. We revel in the soft fold of colors, in the untold compositions that nature inspires without restraint or reward, and — at the very best — the story that fine painting elicits. Flowers do the same. Gardens are simply a canvas. Fruiting with blossoms of color, they infatuate. Of course, vegeta- ble gardens can also sustain the heart, body and soul. Our garden is overflow- ing this August with squash and zucchini, potatoes and onions. With chard and ABOVE: Visitors at David Campiche’s vegetable garden. LEFT: The garden of Steve McCormick and John Stephens in Long Beach, Wash. lettuce. Half the fun is the expectation — the magic of combining garden vegeta- bles with garlic and olive oil. Yes, one can splash in a few drams of white wine, Asian sauces or a nudge of homemade stock. There is even butter and cream. Nothing wrong with that, says the great French chef Paul Bocuse. And veggie opportunities are endless. Fall will come. The winds of winter will lay back those plants or drop the blossoms of summer, unceremoni- ously, onto the good earth. Let me ask: Do we hear the goodbye of departure, or the coming of spring and a fresh hello? Only garden devas might kindle the answer. CW
