The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current, August 30, 2018, Page 16, Image 27

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    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