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I’m a garden designer on tv and IRL. I’m also an author and entrepreneur who thinks she can save the world by teaching everyone a little something about landscape design.

Slow Saturday, Lyme, and Awards

It’s a slow slow rainy Saturday here in New England.  Besides kicking off the farmers market this morning, I have spent the bulk of the day glued to the TV, watching the sad farewell to our well loved Senator Kennedy.  While I am the type of person who would watch this type of thing from beginning to end, just because, (I can be a considerable news and event junkie) I am even more cemented to the sofa than normal because I kinda feel terrible. It is about all I can muster today.  If you follow me on Twitter, you might remember more than a month ago, I think, I mentioned that I thought I had Lyme again…well, as it turned out then, the Dr. tried to convince me that it was Poison Ivy (on the back of my neck?) — so in disbelief I took the cream and moved on.  But things have gotten worse and I, like so so many others, started to realize that I had been misdiagnosed (actually I thought it was Lyme all along but convincing the insurance quota concerned Dr. is another thing).  So with a new visit to the Dr. I now have the diagnosis that I know was right a month ago. What I am not sure of now, is if this is a new case, or perhaps just a continuation of my first diagnosis from last fall.  More tests will hopefully give some insights.

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image by roddh

Anyway, so why am I bringing this all up?….well, primarily because I think it is something that really needs a bit of a spotlight…this blog is really about landscape design and related things.  Unfortunately, I find ticks and mosquitoes to be a huge part of my design practice.  It is not uncommon in New England that people are affected by these pests when making decisions about what to create or more likely NOT create in the gardens of our Northeast US environment.

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image by veender

As I sit here and watch the Kennedy eulogies and processions, I am inspired by the family that has done so much to help others.  With mentioning my experiences with Lyme before, I have had numerous people contact me wanting advice that I don’t feel qualified to offer.  I am only another person with Lyme, and the parent of kids with Lyme – and simply no expert.  But, in an effort to help, I can offer some links and information and people that are worth knowing if you are affected by Lyme or seeking more information:

  • andrebakes is someone to follow on Twitter. She regularly posts about her own lyme fight and Lyme activism.
  • Under our Skin is a documentary well worth viewing (or maybe you might want to sponsor a screening local to you).
  • If you are here in New England, and affected, it might be worth trying to see Sam Donta, a renowned, Boston based Dr. in the field. I know many people who have worked with him and he has been a tremendous help.
  • Additionally,  here, is an article about creating a tick free zone in the landscape, and here is another.

This is really all I can offer, but if you too are dealing with this, I wish you the best and hope you are able to get the help you need.

And while I am talking alot about Me, Me Me today….and on a much brighter note…I have been the recipient of a MeMe award.  It was passed to me from Susan Cohan.  Why did I win it…well I guess because she cares about Me and what I might say according to the MeMe rules:

  • Link back to the person who gave you the award.
  • Reveal seven things about yourself.
  • Choose seven other blogs to nominate, and post a link to them.
  • Let each of your choices know that they have been tagged by posting a comment on their blog.
  • And finally, let the tagger know, when your post is up

and since she took the time and thought to nominate me, I am more than happy to oblige…

So here are 7 things about me…

1) If an opportunity crossed my path to move abroad again…I would snatch it up in a heartbeat… I yearn for that kind of adventure for me and my family.

2) I value all sorts of intelligence in other people…it’s what earns my respect.

3) When I was young I had would frequently (with all the bravado of a teen/20 something) tell people that one day I was going to be a US senator (ha-I really believed that was what I wanted to do) — now, while I still am fascinated with politics and love helping people, I just don’t think I could ever be happy playing that game.

4) Patience is the virtue I struggle with most.

5) While I am a total nature lover…and enjoy lots of outdoor activities, I hate to “backpack” – the idea of trying to figure out the bare minimum of what I need to live in the wild, then pack it into a bag in the smallest lightest way possible so I can set out with it all on my back is completely insane to me.  (and I am sorry to say this drives my husband nuts)

6) Unique, Unique, Unique…what ever it is, if it is Unique or original, I am drawn to it.

7) I want to become a better carpenter, because I really like to be handy…but I know my greatest weakness is patience…I don’t have the patience for myself to learn to be as good as my perfectionist side demands.

and 7 blogs that I would love to hear more from….well lets give these a try….

1) Fern at Life on the Balcony – Love the support and cheer that is always available here.

2) Andrea at Heavy Petal – Another mom with stuff going on…who blogs about gardens in a fresh hip way.

3) Deb at Dirt Simple – Because she is so talented and I love her blog and projects.

and for my last four…I will call out a few friends from my BYW class earlier this year…I hope they all join in because they are such fun, creative and interesting people.

4) Sarah at Paper*Crown

5) Sarah or Jo at Hardaker and Pope .

6) Lisa at Parallel Botany

7) Courtney or Lauren at KellyandOlive.

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  1. Rochelle! Thanks for the link – I’m flattered that you want to know more about little old me! I didn’t know you were a mom; how on earth do you manage to do so much? Perhaps they get easier as they get older? (She says hopefully…). Truly, you are an inspiration. I shall try to complete the meme — but no promises! You may have noticed my blogging has been very light lately. Too busy!

    I’m sorry to hear that you have Lyme again. That’s terrible. I wish you a speedy recovery.

    xo
    Andrea

  2. Susan aka Miss R says:

    Delighted in your acceptance. It’s always fun to learn more than we know about people, places and things. If I have a regret it life, it’s that I once turned down a 2 year long design job (albeit fashion) in Japan. Should have gone…went across the other pond instead…

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