IT’S NO WONDER WE’VE ALL BEEN INCHING CLOSER to a prostrate position lately, with days shrinking steadily like the water level in a leaky pail. But take heed: The hole in the bucket’s been mended; happy solstice! Get up off the floor and do a little dance, won’t you? Brighter days lie just ahead. Somebody go tell Andre Jordan, and also tell the poor gnome. It’s not the first rough Christmas the downsized guy has had, you know.
THE LECTURE that he’s been giving for a number of years is not-so-subtly called “Kill Your Lawn.” Ecological horticulturist Dan Jaffe Wilder knows that starting over and creating an entire native habitat instead of a lawn isn’t for everyone. But Dan just wants to grab our attention and get us to start to make some changes at least in the way we care for the turfgrass we do want in our landscapes. And maybe give up a little square footage of it to some other kind of more diverse planting, too, like the wild strawberries (Fragaria virginiana, inset). Alternative, more eco-focused styles of lawn care, along with some lawn alternatives is what he and I talked about on the podcast. Dan is Director of Applied Ecology at Norcross Wildlife Foundation in Wales, Massachusetts, and its 8,000-acre sanctuary. He’s also co-author with Mark Richardson of the book “Native Plants for New England Gardens.”
(Stream it below, read the illustrated transcript or subscribe free.)
Hysterical!
That gnome and I are SO on the same wavelength :-)
So cute and funny too. I illustrate gnomes frequently and have a post on one today. You might mention this to Andre and he can stop by. One artist to another. I think his work is fabulous and I always get a smile from it.
Love the gnome, Merry Christmas!
Laugh out loud funny.
I can wholeheartedly relate to the Gnome.
– Bored $#!*less in Portland, OR
Andre strikes again! My garden gnome prefers to stay in his bed under the rhodie all year round…that way he can keep tabs on everything out back. It is a wee bit hard on his outfit however, so he’s looking a bit faded these days. Every time I open the back
door, there he is over in his spot, grinning at me. Jolly Roger!
I wish i could get gnomes to shovel snow.
back to the list of snowblowers…
It is my distinct impression that this gnome may have a drinking problem, by the way. Not that a hot toddy right about now admittedly wouldn’t help…
Maybe his shoulder hurts like mine. NSAID’s, rest, therapy, surgery? – improvement is needed before spring. Boredom with pain.
This is my all time favorite Andre drawing! Love it! So so funny.
I think the garden Gnome is getting a BAD RAP here! It is not the Gnome itself, but YOU who do not know how to site it. A Gnome would be fun as a guard, by your front door, during the winter months, and if hidden (a bit) in foliage, could be a FUN accessory in the summer garden. Maybe some Gnomes, are a bit FLAMBOYANT with their choice of outfit colors, but in winter, when everything is dull, color lifts your spirits a bit. In summer you have all the flower colors to compliment his costume. I have also seen, when people PROTEST too much, MAYBE, way down inside they crave what they are dismissing. SO if you are one of them, go out and ADOPT a gnome. I give you permission.!! Happy Holidays to all Gnome lovers, and the rest of you ALSO!
This has to be my MOST FAVORITE Yet! You nailed it Andre !!! Poor Gnome, I know how he feels!!
Goodness that was funny Andre. Margaret, I saw it in my reader and laughed long and hard.
I’m a bit bored too. Merry Christmas.~~Dee
This is my all time favorite Andre drawing! Love it! So so funny.
Welcome, Nona — and I agree! Andre is such a blessing in my life, and my blog. A real inspiration (and a ton of laughs). Happy, merry to you. See you soon.
you are too kind M
Crack me up! Thanks Andre for lifting my mood today, great stuff :)
Welcome, Jeni. I figure as long as we aren’t horizontal like the gnome, we’re ahead of the game, right? See you soon again, we hope — and thanks for the hello.
A friend sent my over her and I am so glad I came. I will be a frequent visitor. Thanks for the laugh!
Welcome, Lifeshighway. We love our Andre, we do. Happy to hear we’ll see you again soon!
I LOVED the cartoon! And glad to know I’m not the only one who thinks spring is coming when we’ve passed the winter solstice–cuz those days are getting longer. yay!
Absolutely wonderful! I had to scroll down to see the gnome on my screen, adding to the comedy in discovery! I’m looking at my shed right now, and wonder if all within are feeling like I do. The holidays are over, time to start planting!
Great job, Andre.
Welcome, Skeezix; yes, I suspect there is this type of behavior on the floor of all our sheds about now. :) See you soon again, we hope.