Rollin' - Rollin' On The River

If you look close, (double click on the photo to enlarge) there is water coming out of the wood top boards on this patio display. Thought it was an interesting feature. Also note the "Tiki" bar, one of several on display.

Visited the QCCA Flower Show yesterday and came home with some event notices I'll share:

The Stewards of the Upper Mississippi River refuge will begin monthly bird walks on the 2nd Saturday of the month starting April 10th. Birders meet at 8 a.m. in the Sloane Marsh parking lot across from the Ingersoll Wetlands Learning Center, 7071 Riverview Rd. Thomson IL (815-273-2732.)

The Black Hawk State Historic Site in Rock Island IL will be hosting a "Welcome Home" event for the Native Americans - Sac and Fox of Oklahoma and the Meskwaki of Tama Iowa on May 1 & 2. http://www.blackhawkpark.org/

Stroll Through Springtime, Saturday, May 1st, at Watch Tower Lodge, Black Hawk State Historic Site, 1510 46th Ave. (Black Hawk Rd./IL Rte 5), Rock Island IL. Starts at 7:00 a.m. with local bird experts leading small groups to view migrating and resident birds. Binoculars are helpful. Meet at the Black Hawk statue by the Lodge. 9:00 a.m. is refreshments and a program "Forest Plants: More Than Meets the Eye" and 10:00 a.m. Local experts lead groups to view wildflowers. 309-788-9536 or the above website.

The Davenport Horticultural Society meets the 4th Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Duck Creek Park Lodge. They have a speaker/program and dessert or potluck dinner. Membership is $10 and they are a very active group. Call Joyce McDonald 309-355-5367 for more information.

What did I see at the Flower Show: lots of people and lots of stone. The flowers weren't really much of the show although most displays had used plants.

Met the folks from Fisher's Nursery, rural Mineral/Sheffield area. I didn't even know they were in business. They say, "acres of high quality field grown trees - both shade and ornamental". http://www.fishersnursery.com/ or call 815-454-2819. It sounds as if you need to contact them before arriving.

I think it's easy to gauge what is being pushed to consumers by the many and varied stone displays - most included outdoor fireplaces. Many included structures over the stone works in either wood or plastic, water features, cooking areas, and several televisions (are you kidding me!) I find it strange anyone would want a TV when they could be listening and looking at the beauty of nature but then I'm not selling TVs.

Many of the vendors were selling "stuff" both garden related and some was just stuff. I did notice the ice cream cone vendor was doing a great business. That and some odd broom thingy that before summer is over, a whole host of people will wonder what possessed them to impulse buy.

Finally, it was fun to see Channel 8, WQAD Weather Wizard, Anthony Peoples, at their booth. Visited with locals, Debbie and Cindy, who were wandering the exhibits much like we were.

These shows are an opportunity to see what's available in our area, dream a bit, realize there must be people who spend a lot more than I do on their yards, and maybe take away an idea or two.