When I came to the IMA in 2002, one of the areas assigned to me was the Garden Terrace building and the adjacent Four Seasons Garden.  The building was constructed in 1939-40 by J. K Lilly, Jr. as a recreation center for the estate, including an indoor bowling alley plus indoor and outdoor swimming pools. The surrounding gardens were designed by Louisville-based landscape architect Anne Bruce Haldeman (the garden’s restoration and interpretation of the place of women in landscape architecture is a goal of the IMA Environmental and Historic Preservation Division).

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This coming Saturday is National Tree Hugger Day. That’s October 17. In the current mood of people embracing all things green and sustainable it seems only right we have a National Tree Hugger Day. This event is not just for tree hugger extremist but rather an opportunity for all of us to show a little appreciation for these plants that bring so much joy into our lives. Not sure how to hug a tree? Here’s a little instructional video.

See? Wasn’t that easy to understand? I bet you are already half way out the door to find a tree to hug. Well go ahead. You can come back later to finish this blog.

Now I could go on and on about how much carbon trees soak up, or how they lower the temperatures especially in urban areas, or how they increase the value of your home. But really, does everything in nature have to do something for us or have economic value as a prerequisite for us to care about it? Can’t we just appreciate the trees for what they are? Do you hug your family and friends so you can get close enough to rummage through their pockets for a few dollars? Really people. I’ll stop ranting now.

A musical interlude to calm my nerves.

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Pulling the IMA magazine together is probably one of the most enjoyable aspects of my job, aside from Monday Web team meetings. And with the winter (November-January) issue, we usher in a new era of the magazine. No longer called Previews, but simply known as the IMA magazine, the cover and pages present the Museum’s new graphic identity. With a new look also comes fresh content and ideas that incorporate the intersection of art, design and nature. In this issue, we went out on a limb and decided to do our first retail holiday photo shoot–presenting items for sale in the Museum’s shops–rather than rely on product photography from the design house or manufacturers.

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I’m sorry. I know I’m supposed to be used to whatever nature throws my way. But really, 90-plus degrees in June? That’s just hateful. Hateful. I live in Indiana. I know the deal. It can be freezing one night and 80 a day or two later. I know to accept the weather. I – know – to – accept – the – weather. Knowing and doing ain’t always in sync. I love my tropicals and summer annuals and this weather is ideal for them. I want big bananas. I need big banana heat. The fact is though, normal June temps of 80 or so are just fine for growing bananas. I’m not freakin’ Carmen Miranda trying to grow a new hat.

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Crazy drivers, traffic jams, road construction… if you commute to work by car you’re probably familiar with these frustrations. In the past, I’ve had the pleasure of living close enough to work that I could easily take a bus in the winter and ride my bike in the summer. In fact, the complication of parking made these modes of transportation much easier than driving.

Currently, biking to work is more difficult. However, last year I heard about Bike to Work Day, which occurs during Bike to Work Week in the middle of May (you guessed it, Bike to Work Month). I knew that I was not quite in shape for it then, but made it a goal to take on the challenge of biking to work this year during Bike to Work Week.

Don't worry mom, I've already stopped

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