I am not alone in my admiration for Eleanor Roosevelt and the contributions she made during her life. She is, I believe, one of the most remarkable, compassionate, empathetic individuals to influence our country’s history. Her cottage, Val-Kill (Kill is Dutch for Stream) is part of our National Park System in Hyde Park, NY. Touring her home you see a comfortable, welcoming space which was visited by famous and infamous leaders from around the world. She was not only First Lady of our only four term president, author of 13 books, 7000 “My Day” newspaper columns, first U.S. representative to the U.N and author of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to name just a few of her accomplishments she was also considered the First Lady of the World. Looking through “A Personal Album by A. David Gurewitsch’s book about Eleanor, I was stunned to see this photo of her gathering flowers from her garden to bring into her home. She loved having fresh flowers especially marigolds in her home, and enjoyed arranging them for her guest’s room.
Category: North East, US & Canada
Trees, Gardens and Students
It is fall and students have returned to college campuses across the nation. I have a listing of the best college arboretums and botanical gardens and I plan my travel to visit as many as I can. I’ve long appreciated the beauty of a college campus. Just this week while traveling in the Northeast I’ve explored Wellesley, Smith and Amherst colleges. Botany has long been an important field of study, though the education of a Naturalist has fallen out of favor. Micro-biology and genetics are programs with great appeal today and both continue to advance the science of horticulture and other areas of study.
Spring Garden Road & Summer Street
What else could one expect to find at the corner of Spring Garden Road and Summer Street but a jewel of a garden? In Halifax, Nova Scotia you will find a rare Victorian Garden. This fanciful and elaborate style of garden is not often found in our modern age, but this path to the past is a grand experience.
The River Cafe, Brooklyn, NY
Hurricane Sandy has done such harm. Many lives were lost, homes destroyed, business devastated and natural beauty permanently altered. Living in the West it is hard to grasp just how much damage this area of our country has received. I was in New York last fall and as I read today’s news I recognize areas where I visited. An article in the NYTimes (11/11/2012) described the damage done to “The River Cafe” in Brooklyn. This 35 year old restaurant is an icon of elegant, formal dinning. This is where one went for very special dinner occasions, such as marriage proposals, significant birthdays and anniversary celebrations. According to the Times article one evening not long ago 7 couples were each celebrating their 25th anniversary in the dining room.
Shamrock Green
A Little Bit Irish
In March almost everyone claims to be a little bit Irish. It might be because of the music, the dancing or the festivities but really it is all about the green. In March dormancy gives way to spring green shoots of new growth and that is worthy of a party whatever your ancestry. Public green space is worth celebrating too, and Boston holds the distinction of establishing the first public park in the nation. What city is there more Irish than Boston? Boston Common was designated public green space in 1634. Yet there is also a public garden attached to the Common and it was the first created in the nation.
Promenade, 91st Street, Riverside Drive
Hearts & Flowers
Some of my favorite grade school memories are from Valentine’s Day. We decorated boxes with red paper hearts, pink ribbons and flowers. In the days leading up to the celebration we watched as classmates slipped envelopes inside and anticipated the sweetness the messages would reveal. The celebration of Valentine’s Day has spread around the world. The day has something for every sense; chocolates for taste, flowers for scent and beauty, romantic words and cuddles of affection, an infusion of delights engaging our emotions.
Garden of Useful Plants, Montreal Botanic Garden
A Year of Happy!
Inspired by a new year we follow a familiar path as we resolve to; spend more time with family & friends, learn something new, help others, eat better, exercise more, reduce stress, and save money. The list designed to inspire us to be our better selves often does just the opposite and creates more stress within the first month of the year. If only there was an easy way to achieve these resolutions! Well, “There is a garden for that!”
Rooftop Gardening
Up on the rooftop. . . .
Where will gardening grow as more than 1/2 the world’s population moves into urban environments? (citymayors.com) Urban living is associated with greater opportunities yet one cost of city life is giving up ready access to green space and gardens. Is the future a space age view like the Jetsons or will gardeners prevail and work green space into the picture?
Brooklyn Botanic Garden, NY
Grateful for Gardeners who keep the garden alive
November is a month for Thanksgiving and we celebrate it with a feast of food symbolizing the harvest celebration. Gardens, and those who tend them give us much to be thankful for throughout the year.
Montreal Botanical Garden
Quebec, Canada
This is an amazing garden with its collection of 22,000 plant species and cultivars, 10 exhibition greenhouses, some thirty thematic gardens. I wandered through for over 7 hours and still didn’t see it all. On a cool, sunny September day the garden was full of color, texture and surprises.