Category: Out & About

Brief impressions of garden visits

Flagstaff Arboretum

Today it was to be 111 degrees in Phoenix.  We hoped it would be cooler in Flagstaff.  It was 90.

The arboretum was dry, the plants are struggling to thrive.  Not yet recovered from winter some have a look of dry frosted leaves.  Aspen trees have their fresh green leaves rattling in the breeze.  Chimpmunks and song birds scamper about.  If the rain comes the penstemon garden and the wildflowers will be beautiful in another month.  Right now the lake is low, the paths are dusty and I sit on the bench and wonder what will we do if the rain doesn’t come?...   Continue Reading

Monet’s living canvas

In early May in Monet’s Garden the dutch iris are blooming.  The bearded iris are in full bud, given a week of warmer weather they will be opening.  The scent of wisteria is mixed with the scent of lilacs in the air.  There are beds of pink tulips and lavender lobelia just outside the door of the famous pink house with the green shutters....   Continue Reading

One minute composition

Once I watched a tourist video the still photos in a hotel lobby.  I wondered how those images would be used to relive that moment of the trip.  Sometimes it seems the world is looking through a viewfinder and missing the view.  I am as guilty of the photo obsession as anyone.  Only 24 days into a 35 day journey and Rich and I have shot nearly 6000 images.  Scanning through the collection I found my reward in the following images.  None of these subjects will last beyond the brief moment when we were there.  All were beauty worth capturing....   Continue Reading

Risco Bella Gardens

Love and passion make a powerful combination.  A Belgium man deeply in love with his wife and passionate about gardening built a five level garden encompassing eight acres on the island of Tenerife as a gift to his wife.  Nearly 40 years ago, in the early 70’s both he and his beloved wife had died and this incredible garden was left in the care of their two daughters....   Continue Reading

Fiesta de Flor

Flowers are everywhere in Madeira.  This island has a perfect climate, warmed by Atlantic currents in the winter and cooled by trade winds in summer. This island celebrates flowers, friendship, food and the art of life every April. The town puts out carpets of flowers for visitors and residents to enjoy.  Patterns and paintings done only with flowers run down the center of the cobblestone sidewalks....   Continue Reading