Yesterday we drove through Tangletown (a part of Minneapolis where the grid goes all squirrely because of a slight hill) and saw an arbor with a "free" sign at the curb. We turned around to get it, and the people working in the yard came over to talk with us.
The man said we could have the arbor but only on condition of taking a tour of his garden. So we did and it was beautiful and all done by them - small shrubs predominated, with some perennials for color, and a real focus on foliage texture and color: very sophisticated.
We stayed for about a half hour and learned all about them and told them all about what we're up to. There's a trust in and respect for other people that is very appealing in Minnesota. I think such an encounter would be quite unlikely in New England, where people tend to be suspicious of others and immediately to fear the worst in any situation. That's the way I am, anyway - should I ascribe it to my upbringing or just my intrinsic personality?
People seem to care for their own gardens and lawns more than in similarly affluent neighborhoods elsewhere. Is this Midwestern frugality, or homage to their agricultural heritage, or just plain delight-of-summer?
Man, I am wildly categorizing. I'll stop now.
Posted by otto0114 at June 13, 2004 10:40 AMi think it's because people in minnesota only get like 3 months to grow flowers out of the year, so when they can, the make a big deal about it.
Posted by: loverboy at June 15, 2004 08:15 PM