Ed Myers’s Story Archive

Pumpkin Yes, Pumpkin Pie No …

November 27, 2014 | by Ed Myers

Our harvest was gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, so that we might after a special manner rejoice together. — Edward Winslow Thanksgiving, like Christmas, is so full of fond memories for me. For example, I remember my Mom always prepared two different kinds of dressings — … Read More

Going, Going . . . Gone

November 13, 2014 | by Ed Myers

I have always been amazed by the wonders of nature. For example, the hatching of butterflies, the life cycle of frogs, the effects of short and long daylight hours on plant growth, and the changing colors of leaves on deciduous trees and shrubs to beautiful shades of red, yellow, purple, … Read More

Oodles of Pumpkins

October 16, 2014 | by Ed Myers

Oh! Fruit of boyhood! The old days recalling, when wood grapes were purpling and brown nuts were falling! When wild, ugly faces we carved in its skin, glaring out through the dark with a candle within! — “The Pumpkin,” John Greenleaf Whittier (1850) The word “jack-o’-lantern” dates back to English … Read More

Grow Me, But Put Me in a Pot

September 25, 2014 | by Ed Myers

The large orange-red, two inch papery pods of Chinese lantern (Physalis alkekengi) are often used to accentuate Halloween or Thanksgiving flower arrangements. Although called “Chinese Lantern,” this perennial is actually native to Japan and southeast Europe where it’s sometimes referred to as ground, Jerusalem, or winter cherry or husk tomato. … Read More

Goliaths

September 11, 2014 | by Ed Myers

“Plants are not optional on this planet.  With few exceptions neither we nor anything else can live without them.”  — Bring Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants. Douglas W. Tallamy I have long been a fan of Indiana native wildflowers in that they invite wildlife into … Read More