. . . that when I was a kid, I spent a lot of time at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. My parents (and my brother and I, since we were kids and tagged along) were active in the Iris Society of Minnesota and the American Iris Society. We were also founding members of the Hemerocallis (Daylily) Society of Minnesota. And so I spent countless hours at plant digs, plant sales, flower shows, flower auctions, and parties. Explained the different varieties of iris and how to grow them to many, many strangers.

My brother hated this stuff, but I actually enjoyed a lot of it. I learned to arrange flowers and won awards for it. I hybridized some iris (alas, none turned out very good). My brother and I learned our way around all the back hallways and trails at the Arboretum. And I got to hang out with a lot of cool adults and go out to eat at a lot of restaurants with 'em.

Anyway, this article about flower clubs reminded me of my distant past.

They're just like any group, with politics and gossip and silliness, really. With their own jargon and in-jokes and history.