Category: Midwest Region, US

Flour and Flowers Made a Garden

Just north of a bend in the Ohio River in Evansville, Indiana, a 25-acre arboretum and bird sanctuary sits. 

There is a small pond with two replica white swans; they work as a deterrent to the Canada Geese but also are a nod to the origin of this garden oasis. Swans Down cake flour is described as soft as swan down and helped elevate cake baking in kitchens around the world in the early 1900s. Described as a ‘sanctuary for the soul” by Phyliss Igelhart Kerdasha, Igleheart Gardens is today a private garden open only for educational events and charity fundraisers....   Continue Reading

Seeking Peace– International Peace Garden

The International Peace Garden spans Canada and the United States celebrating the longest unfortified border in the world. Near the geographic center of North America, Rugby, North Dakota, the garden begins where the natural water borders of the great lakes open onto the prairie, and the prairie begins to rise to the mountains.  I visited here in 2009 as the highly charged political debate engulfing our country seemed to paralyze our nation. Yes, 9/11 happened in 2001, and the Iraq war was rattling our national psyche.  I longed for peace in a garden as only nature could bring.  Now in 2025  as our country and the world grapple with conflicts, I try to remember conflict is part of life. Peace Gardens reminds me citizens around the globe see gardens as a path to peace....   Continue Reading

Turtle Island–Wisdom for All

Turtle Island is a name for Earth or North America, and it is used by some American Indigenous peoples and some Indigenous rights activists. The name is based on a creation myth common to several indigenous peoples of the Northeastern Woodlands of North America....   Continue Reading

Tulip Fever, Can you pick just one?

I am recovering from a fever. Tulip Fever. Seduced by their charms and captivated by their colors, petals, fringes, and the brief burst of beauty heralding the arrival of spring, I despair from the longing to possess these flowers in my garden. ...   Continue Reading

Memorable Moments 2018

2018 was a wonderful year of visiting gardens.  We took three trips; a short spring trip to Atlanta, GA, a six-week road trip through the US, and a 30-day fall trip to England. Looking over my journals and photos of the past year it is full of memorable moments of the beauty in our world. I want to share a few marvels that delighted me along the way....   Continue Reading

A Contemplative Atmosphere

Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum, Cincinnati, Ohio

I’ve been extensively exploring gardens for over 10 years. My favorite photographer and husband Rich has willingly traveled along without complaint. That is right up until I wanted to visit cemeteries. He didn’t want to do that, but I did, and so we did. Initially I was the one climbing the hills and shooting the photos of all the amazing things there are to find in cemeteries, now we are both exploring this part of life....   Continue Reading