Connecting Plants, People, and Heritage

A Post-Prostate Surgery Museum Adventure

The Interview Dilemma

This past Friday morning, I lay in a Jacksonville hotel, recovering from surgery and worrying. The anxiety was over a Zoom interview scheduled for late afternoon. A writer who focues on the museum world had asked me to discuss living museums. Though I have a Master’s degree in museum studies and worked in the field for decades, I’m a bit removed now. But the thought struck me: I’d talk about the botanical gardens that truly captivate me, where plants become conduits, connecting people to cultural heritage and each other.

Now, I had a framework for the Zoom discussion, but that sounds geeky and academic; how would I convey that in an interesting way?

Medical Tourism Reality Check

Initially, I had grand plans for our medical tourism journey to Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville – reconnecting with old friends, visiting the zoo and botanical garden, and exploring my favorite nurseries. We’d be here about a dozen times, so why not?

How naive was that? The reality was different. I hurt. I worried. Tom had to manage directions, food, listening to surgeons, and a grumpy me. There was no time for fun.

But on this final day, we finally had a chance to get out and see a garden. My recovery instructions were simple: drink a lot, pee a lot, walk a good bit. We could venture out to a garden! The caveat? The drink-pee-walk combo kind of limits where you can go — because after this surgery, when I have to go, I have to go quickly. The Zoo was too big, but a museum with a small garden seemed like the perfect fit.

The Cummer Museum: A Fresh Perspective

We headed to one of my favorite spots, The Cummer Museum. I’ve been stopping in here for decades. The gardens – an Olmstead, an Italianate, and an English garden – are historically significant and educational but are about garden architecture and styles. They don't usually build bridges or make plant connections for me. Still, I love the carefully tended space with massive live oaks and an incredible view of the St. Johns River.

Surprising Topiaries of Mike Gibson

But today was different. In the English garden, four delightful surprises around the central fountain greeted us: conceptual, modern topiaries by our friend Mike Gibson.