Comments on MrBrownThumb: Chicago Spring Fling In Words

Ramon: Deep thanks to you and the Chicago crew who...

2009-06-04T17:06:51.414-05:00

Ramon: Deep thanks to you and the Chicago crew who put this together and pulled it off. I wish we could ahve spent more time together.

I'm still sifting through and uploading photos from the weekend and writing my posts. I'll have more to say about each stop on the tours. I'm also trying to link to others' posts from mine, so my readers can get multiple perspectives.

As for transparency, the greater burden falls on corporations who co-opt public institutions, including social media such as blogs, in all manner of ways to bury the truth, silence opposition, and ensure that only their "message" can be heard.

We must not be seduced into selling our voices, our selves, our souls, in exchange for cheap trinkets and the addiction of consumption. There is such a thing as blogging ethics, and I think it matters. I'd like us to have more conversations about this, online and face-to-face.

It was a truly impressive event and I came away lo...

2009-06-02T14:04:37.522-05:00

It was a truly impressive event and I came away loving Chicago. Saturday's lunch choice was particularly excellent, and of course every garden was fabulous.

Thanks to all!

Hello! Thank you and the committee for working so ...

2009-06-02T10:08:08.212-05:00

Hello! Thank you and the committee for working so hard to make sure we all had a grand time! I know I did! The gardens were wonderful and the opportunity to gab with the other gardenbloggers was perfect. I just didn't have time to visit with everyone! Love the garden bling we got...do thank the sponsors! gail

Hi MBT, I want to join in the thanks for the wonde...

2009-06-01T19:40:39.211-05:00

Hi MBT, I want to join in the thanks for the wonderful event. So much to do and so much to see and so much to eat! That lunch at Andie's was divine, as was everything else. We know it was a great deal of work and stress and do appreciate your efforts at making it such a grand success.
Frances

MBT, it was truly a joy working with you on the or...

2009-06-01T19:18:51.682-05:00

MBT, it was truly a joy working with you on the organizing committee. You're indeed a first-class human being, and someone I'm proud to call my friend. Thank you a thousand times for everything you did to assure SF was a success. Words seem woefully inadequate to express how grateful I am to you for everything you did.

I'll never forget how our committee selflessly toughed out some challenging and difficult circumstances and stayed committed to the event, our participants, and each other to make sure Chicago SF was as successful and enjoyable as possible for everyone involved.

I'm very proud of you and all of us on the committee, and am looking forward to continuing the friendships we formed in the process of planning SF.

MBT -- thank you for all you and the Chicago blog...

2009-06-01T18:04:12.144-05:00

MBT -- thank you for all you and the Chicago bloggers did to make this Spring Fling a success. I'm still in awe of all the amazing sights you arranged for us and loved being in Chicago to socialize with old friends and make new ones. I know how much work went into your efforts and I extend a heartfelt thanks to all of you for showing us all a good time.

As one of last year's hosts, I do indeed know how ...

2009-06-01T17:57:38.569-05:00

As one of last year's hosts, I do indeed know how much work you and the other planners put into the Fling, and it showed. It was a terrific event. I enjoyed the gardens and the company, and we all talked about how tasty the meals were. The swag was amazing too. Thanks again, MBT.

What can I say that has not already been said? Th...

2009-06-01T17:12:17.678-05:00

What can I say that has not already been said?

Thank you.

And it was great to finally meet the man behind the blog.

Just wanted to add my thanks too. All you Chicagoa...

2009-06-01T14:27:02.430-05:00

Just wanted to add my thanks too. All you Chicagoans did a fantastic job of keeping us entertained, awed, informed and fed. I'm resting up all week long now. You left difficult shows to fill for next year's fling.

I've just begun reading the posts about the Fling,...

2009-06-01T13:52:27.654-05:00

I've just begun reading the posts about the Fling, and it's fascinating to see how different and personal the impressions are. By the way, MBT, if you're a "weird cousin," you can be part of my family anytime! I'll save you a place at the table....

I second, third, fourth all the expressions of tha...

2009-06-01T11:22:53.418-05:00

I second, third, fourth all the expressions of thanks you've received. It was great to meet you and I'm impressed and amazed at all the work you and the other organizers put into this lovely event! And thanks also to everyone who attended for being such wonderful, friendly, easy-going people. I didn't know anyone except occasionally by name or by reputation and was very nervous at first, feeling like an interloper. I shouldn't have worried... after all, who could be kinder or more welcoming than someone who loves plants?

Organizing Garden bloggers strikes me as more like...

2009-06-01T11:11:15.328-05:00

Organizing Garden bloggers strikes me as more like herding cats than leading a pack, Mr Brown Thumb - not an easy job!

Congratulations on what looks and sounds like a fabulous Spring Fling - it's been wonderful to follow along through all the posts and tweets.

Annie at the Transplantable Rose

MBT it was nice to meet the mysterious man behind ...

2009-06-01T10:45:26.177-05:00

MBT it was nice to meet the mysterious man behind the blog. I wish we had had more time to chat. Y'all did a great job getting this organized. If you are ever in NC, stop by for a garden tour and my vicarious stories of unfortunate incarcerations.

Let me add my words of thanks and praise for all y...

2009-06-01T09:26:20.670-05:00

Let me add my words of thanks and praise for all your hard work and efforts for Spring Fling. I have now had my first glimpse of Chicago, glimpse is the wrong word since I feel I did see some of the best of it which includes its' wonderful community. You all did a great job and I will look forward to coming back to Chicago.

PS: tehe @ your being the "weird cousin!" ;)

2009-06-01T09:04:01.222-05:00

PS: tehe @ your being the "weird cousin!" ;)

Mr.B! Sounds like you and all of your fellow garde...

2009-06-01T09:03:06.216-05:00

Mr.B! Sounds like you and all of your fellow gardeners had a fantastic turn out and a wonderful time! Keep up the good work in representing gardeners everywhere! xo~

MBT, thank you, thank you for all your hard work i...

2009-06-01T08:04:28.845-05:00

MBT, thank you, thank you for all your hard work in organizing this whole weekend! This was my first Spring Fling, and it was an event I will long remember. My only complaint is that I'm tired:) So many fascinating places to see, so many delicious meals, and of course, so many wonderful people we met! The sponsors are to be thanked, too; they were so generous, and I was amazed at the gift bags. I met Jane Smith at the cocktail reception and learned about her book--little did I know we were all going to get a copy!

I've run out of superlatives, so again thank you for organizing this fantastic weekend.

Sounds like it was an incredible weekend. Wish I w...

2009-06-01T06:37:01.938-05:00

Sounds like it was an incredible weekend. Wish I would have been able to make it. I can't wait to read everyone's posts about it.

Thanks for sharing some of the "behind the scenes" stuff with us.

I will keep this event in mind for next spring!! ...

2009-06-01T05:15:04.741-05:00

I will keep this event in mind for next spring!! I am very jealous.

I'll need to leave my boys at home to come visit the chicago botanical garden. I've hit most of the chicago sites - but not that one!

We have a nice conservatory in columbus - the franklin park conservatory.

Thank you for the info.

MBT - Thanks for visit my blog! it's mostly in Tha...

2009-06-01T04:13:36.083-05:00

MBT - Thanks for visit my blog! it's mostly in Thai language, so u may not understand them at all. haha.

If I have something interesting (in english, ofcourse) I'll let u know ;)

Frankly, I thought u're woman at first. caz I've perception that women'd more likely to enjoy gardening! turns out, I was wrong :P

Anyway, keep your good story. I love them all :D

MBT, you have no idea how much my mom and I apprec...

2009-06-01T01:20:03.362-05:00

MBT, you have no idea how much my mom and I appreciate all that you and the rest of the committee did to make our weekend in Chicago one that we will never forget. We talked all the way home about how there was so much jam-packed into these past three days and how smoothly (for the most part) everything went.

You all deserve more than thankful hugs and words for giving of yourselves to make this a success. Thank you personally for walking Mom and me to the train station to make sure we made it back on our own okay.

I wish we lived closer to you all, because it would be so much fun to be able to get together now and then just to shoot the breeze about our gardens and other things in life. You guys are just great people.

I've always loved Chicago and now I have even more reason to feel that way. Please know that you are welcome at Our Little Acre anytime.