About Michele

On a day of mixed sun and clouds in March of 1960, Michele Owens emerged from the womb ranting.  She spent her childhood arguing with her mother over the state of her room and then went out into the world ready to argue with everybody else.

Sadly, however, for many years this tendency towards rant seemed like nothing so much as a social and professional liability.  In her mid-20's, she was an intern at the Paris Review, where George Plimpton reportedly nailed her in nine short words: "Such a sharp tongue for such a little girl."

Then in her early 30's, Michele discovered politics, where the ability to argue passionately about any subject at any time with no information whatsoever was not only not condemned, it was positively celebrated.  The former chief speechwriter for one of the great charmers of American public life, Governor William F. Weld of Massachusetts, Michele also was a staff speechwriter for Governor Mario M. Cuomo of New York.

Now a freelance speechwriter, Michele is the co-author, with David F. D'Alessandro, the former CEO of John Hancock Financial Services, of two best-selling business books: Brand Warfare and Career Warfare. 

Of all the many interesting subjects for rant in the world--politics, business, food, literature--Michele finds gardening the most interesting.  An extremely energetic if not always effective gardener, she attempts to maintain a town garden in Saratoga Springs, NY and a large country vegetable garden in Salem, NY, while neglecting her husband and three children.

She's extremely glad to have found like-minded gardeners and writers in Susan Harris, Amy Stewart, and Elizabeth Licata.  Lord knows, no one in her offline life is in the least interested in tackling the subject of plants with her.

You can also find Michele at her own blog, Sign of the Shovel, or drop her an email.

Comments

[william]

Very many thanks for your comments.Good point about mass hysteria as humans migrate to cooler climes. Here in Wales at the moment, contrary to what many of you have suffered, we are experiencing summer-like temperatures. Maybe a one off? Hottest summer on record last summer, warmest winter on record and they are predicting a hotter summer still again breaking records and I am already watering the garden when I normally start in June. One flash video I like is one on Biodiversity http://www.biodiv.org/doc/videos/cop-08/2010-target.swf - all linked to our gardens and climate change. Pity there is just one nation that refuses to sign up to CBD - the Convention of Biological Diversity - every one else has!

[Hippibitches foetidius]

some of us went to school for our degrees in horticulture. its not only our living but its our life. Keep writing, it will at least keep you out of our industry, or you could simply shut the fuck up. your choice, bitches.

[Michele Owens]

Dear Hippibitches foetidius, professionalism is very admirable, but professionals are not going to plant and maintain the entire universe. If there were more amateur gardeners like us, the world would be a much healthier and more beautiful place.

And as far as persuading non-gardeners to become gardeners is concerned--well, that's the kind of job for which you might want a professional writer.

[Gardenseeker]

it seems hippibitches foetidius has a few issues to address. Even a professional should appreciate the amateur gardeners.
Many children of amateur gardeners will grow up to be the future of the farming industry. They will go to get their horticulture degrees, and lead further innovation in the process.

Without amateur gardeners, American farmers will fall short of the demand for food.

Many of the amateur gardeners are experimenting with cross-breeding, roses adn other flowers are a typical. Yes, these are highly-motivated amateur's but still amateur.

So, to Hf..... get over it and go seek soem professional help.

[MB]

Sounds as if old foetidius doesn't get what plants are about. There is joy to be found in gardening professionally or just piddling in the yard. While I am in the industry, public gardens, I came to it through honest work and an interest, my degree is in the Liberal Arts. I am always suspicious of those who have gone to school for their profession. Way to keep on proving it hf.

[cynthia kling]

Dear Michele:

I read your review of my Eating Local piece in Domino. You should know that no one was sadder about what happened to Dominique and House and Garden. She is an old friend. It was a great mag and Conde was crazy to get rid of it.

As for my piece, well I guess I won't be getting hired by you anytime soon. On the other hand, if you work in the city 40-50 hours a week, you can't get to a greenmarket except on Saturday.
Many of our local farmers are having to sell out to developers because they can't place their produce. You can't get any during the winter season.

As for not knowing how to shop at the market, you got me. I hadn't really thought about it before, was willing to admit it and do something about it. Sorry if my stupidity offended you.

Wish I had time to drive around and pretend I was in France.

Cynthia Kling