Sunday, July 14, 2013

Want To Hear Me Speak?

I accepted an invitation to speak about my garden at the Timberglen Branch of the Dallas Public Library. At least that is the plan. I may get nervous, freeze up and have a staring contest with the audience. 

This is my first (and maybe last) time to speak in public about my garden. Actually, it is my first time to speak in public about anything, other than work related events.

I was asked to talk about the whys and the hows of my garden. Why I did it, how I did it and how I keep it looking good. I am working on a PowerPoint presentation that will include lots of pictures to will facilitate the discussion. They would like me to speak for 30-40 minutes and have a Q and A session afterwards.

As of today, my presentation is titled: Lawn Free - Landscape With Purpose.


I was working on a theme song to the tune of Born Free, however I have been told that I should stick to the topic and leave out the singing and humor because I am not that good at either.


I stopped by the library yesterday to take a look around. The building is gold level LEED certified. Some are the "green" features are the use of natural lighting and a cistern to capture rainwater for landscape use. I noticed some native plants in front of the building.

If you would like to hear my presentation, it will be this Thursday, July 18 at 7:00 PM in the library auditorium. The auditorium is just to the right as you walk through the front doors. 

The library is located at 18505 Midway Road and is easy to get to from the George Bush Turnpike or the Dallas North Tollway. 

Let me know if you attend because you read about it here.

Speaking of libraries and native plants, check out the butterfly garden at the Bulverde/Spring Branch Library in Bulverde, TX as featured recently on Central Texas Gardener. This would be a great educational addition to the Timberglen Branch Library.

13 comments:

  1. Good for you! You'll do great - you already speak publicly...anytime someone asks you about your garden and share with them.

    For that matter, you speak publicly with every blog post!

    Speaking of which, be sure to put up a slide with your blog address on it, so interested attendees can learn from your blog too.

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    1. Thanks Gaia Gardener. I should be fine...if I ever finish this PowerPoint! I will have the web address for the blog because I will be giving several other links and references and I think it would be easier just to refer people here for all of the info.

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  2. Gaia Gardener has it right, you do already speak about your garden all the time. The most important thing is to be motivated to tell the audience about the subject and you definitely have that nailed. I think you are quite humorous and this post is an example.

    Love the title and the photo. Wish I could be there and I will look forward to hearing how it goes.

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    1. Thanks Shirley. I am sure some degree of humor will make an appearance. I am too goofy for it not to. But, no singing.
      If I ever write a gardening book, I think that would be the title.

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  3. I`m sure you will do great . Your passion for your subject will carry you, Michael. Thanks for the vid, I know the Bulverde area well.

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    1. Thanks Randy. I have never been to Bulverde, but I think I would stop at the library if I was in town.

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  4. You might be in for a new career...usually crappy pay, but the influence is intangible. At least from my last 17 years of speaking, showing my work and others' that deserve mention. I think you'll help get DFW on the hort-hipster bandwagon, and even though your venue has lawn, there it has a purpose with all the foot traffic + how little it takes to sustain there (as opposed to where I am).

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    1. I don't think I will be quitting my day job anytime soon, David. At this point, my talk is cheap (free). I have had a few other requests to speak, but they were last minute requests or wanted me during the day when I am working. If, through this blog, my garden or even speaking, I can influence a couple of people to plant a few native plants or consider other landscaping options, then I guess I have done my job. And lawns even have value, so I will not be on an anti-lawn rant. I will just tell the story of my garden.

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  5. You will do great. I've put it on my calendar. If I can speak about worm composting, you can do this easy. Library audiences are really nice.

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    1. I hope to see you Collagemama. Be sure to say hi. I think I will recognize you if I see you.

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  6. Great! I hope I can make it.
    Constanza

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  7. Hope you will do similar events in the future. You were informative, inspiring, and practical. Sorry I had to leave, but my tummy was growling!

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    1. Constanza and Collagemama, thanks for coming and for your kind comments.

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