Beloved Albert Elmer Herman Louis Melahn (AKA G'pa to me) Died on 1-24 in the 1970's

My maternal grandfather, Albert Elmer Herman Louis Melahn, died on this day of January 24th  in the mid to late 1970's. He was sixty-nine years old. He can be seen in the photo directly above with my grandmother, Clara May Fitchie Melahn where they are standing in front of one of their favorite restraunts that was located in Crystal Lake Illinois.

This photograph was one of my dearly departed grandmother's favorites, perhaps because of the memories she had of enjoying meals with him at one of their favorite places. For years after his death she laid the framed photo facedown on an end-table. Evidently looking at the image made her miss him even more. I am their first grandchild and the loss to me was great as well which is probably how most people feel when their grandfather dies.

Honoring Albert Elmer Herman Louis Melahn (B 5-19-1903)

In honor of my dearly departed maternal grandfather, Albert Elmer Herman Louis Melahn, who was born on this day in 1903, I'd like to refer you to posts I've written over the years re this wonderful man.

Sunday's Sentiments: A Tribute to my G'pa (Albert Elmer Herman Lewis Melahn)

The photograph atop this entry is one you might recognize, dear reader, for it has been featured in many of my blog posts here on Blogger (including one of first entries which was in 2010) when I've referenced my maternal grandfather (Albert Elmer Herman Louis Melahn), the man featured in this picture. Last Sunday would have been his one hundred and sixteenth birthday had he not died at the age of sixty-nine.

I think of him on countless occasions, but he was especially on my mind yesterday when I was at The Conservatory Gardens in Central Park and came upon the peonies featured in  the next set of images.

OTHER PEONIES ARE FEATURED IN VOL 1 

OTHER PEONIES ARE FEATURED IN VOL 1 

OTHER PEONIES ARE FEATURED IN VOL 1 

OTHER PEONIES ARE FEATURED IN VOL 1 

OTHER PEONIES ARE FEATURED IN VOL 1 

OTHER PEONIES ARE FEATURED IN VOL 1 

My grandfather introduced to this awesome flower when I was nearly three years old.

Press Release: Get your Popcorn Ready! Now on Vimeo: "The Kiwi Speaks! Fifteen Minutes of Fame (almost)"

As promised in yesterday's post: Get your popcorn ready, and be prepared to "Sit, back, Relax and Enjoy the Show" (the catch phrase written by someone I've discussed in a previous post), with this movie trailer that I've produced, and have posted above. 

In this trailer, I am announcing the release of my first garden themed movie (based on my urban garden) The Kiwi Speaks: Fifteen Minutes of Fame (almost) staring Actinida kolomikta. 

The supporting cast (in order of appearance) is as follows: Pilot Captain Green-Thumb, Avellana corylus (Contorted Hazelnut), Acer palmatum var. disscetum 'Tamukeyama' (Japanese Red Maple), Clematis paniculata (Sweet Autumn Clematis) and Paeonia suffruiticosa (Tree Peony). 

And with that, dear reader, I am proud to announce that not only may you view the trailer within this bog entry; The Kiwi Speaks: Fifteen Minutes of Fame (almost) is now on Vimeo! View it by clicking here.

The movie and the trailer are dedicated to my grandfather, Albert Elmer Herman Louis Melahn who lived from May 19th 1903-January 24th 1978, and who can be seen in the photograph below.

Albert Elmer Herman Louis Melahn is a probable influence in my love of gardening (as discussed in a very early posting at the onset of this blog which you can read by clicking here). 

Remembering My Grandpa Melahn

The photo atop today's entry features my paternal grandfather, Albert Elmer Herman Louis Melahn (Albert) and it is one you might recognize, dear reader, for I've included the image within a number of entries here on Blogger, starting with my fourth post which I published on 1/8/2010.

One of the topics discussed in that entry is his probable influence on my rooftop garden.

How My Urban Garden Grows: The Highly Probable Influence of my Grandfather, Albert Elmer Herman Louis Melahn

I have always appreciated gardens as well as the containers that provide a home for plants, and the image posted above this entry is one I created after happening upon an abandoned greenhouse. By "demand," I have rendered this image into a limited edition of prints which are available in varying sizes. Information relating to this image (as well as other black and white photographs that I have created) can be found in the print collection pages on my web-site. This image is also available as a note-card.

Fortunately, I don't have to worry about being without access to a greenhouse, because at my upper-west side apartment in New York City, I've planted and maintained a lovely terrace garden that is now caked in snow, and with this final "clarification" post, I'd like to tell you a little bit of background about my gardening endeavors.

In Memory of my Maternal Grandfather

MY GRANDFATHER MAKES A WISH

I'm thinking of my dearly departed grandfather, Albert Elmer Herman Louis Melahn, who was born on this day in 1903 (he died in the late 1970s.) The image atop this entry was taken on one of his birthdays in the early 1970's.

My grandmother can be seen helping him blow out his candles and my next youngest sister and I are behind them. We were told to "pose laughing," by my mother, who took the snap-shot when his cake caught on fire. (Our cousin Karl, who is for the most part of camera, is to my left).

My Physocarpus opulifolius (Coppertina) and the Prodigal Son's Brother

It has come to my attention that my lovely, Physocarpus opulifolius (Coppertina Tree), which is just beginning to produce its exquisite buds (some of which can be seen in the two photographs at the top of this blog entry), took it upon himself to write a blog entry and post it on my blog two weeks ago.

Evidently he thought he was not as appreciated in the same way that my Tulipa (Tulips) and Paeonia suffruiticosa (Tree Peony) are.