Telling the Truth

connecting the dots of my life

Tag: Longwood Gardens

November 16, 2017

Fleeting reminders | Photos

God our Savior,
hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas,
You formed the mountains by your power,
having armed yourself with strength;
You stilled the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves,
and the turmoil of the nations.
The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders;
Where morning dawns, where evening fades,
You call forth songs of joy.

Psalm 65: 5b – 8 (New International Version)

Psalm 65 lifted my weary eyes and spirit this morning. Below are photos that remind me of the seasonal wonders our Creator has woven into the fabric of this earth. Which includes each one of us, precious and vulnerable. D took the photos at Longwood Gardens in late October.


 




Where morning dawns, where evening fades,
You call forth songs of joy.

© Elouise Renich Fraser, 16 November 2017
Photos taken by DAFraser on 27 October 2017 at Longwood Gardens

9 Comments
November 8, 2017

Dancing with Chrysanthemums | Photos

Chrysanthemums have never been my favorite flower. When I was a starry-eyed teenager, getting a chrysanthemum corsage from an admirer was distinctly less impressive than an orchid corsage. Not that I had many opportunities to receive such favors, thanks to the strict No Dancing Rule in my family. Still, I got the occasional corsage for banquets, and orchids were the best!

Orchids are still magical–witness the orchid photo below, taken in Longwood’s ever-blooming orchid house.

Yet my appreciation for chrysanthemums is growing.

Longwood’s annual Chrysanthemum Festival is about more than flowers. It pays homage to Japanese Americans, their homeland, and the way they’ve enrich our lives daily with beauty and grace. The numbers of ‘pilgrims’ to this Festival is substantial, including homegrown and overseas families. I find this humbling, given our history with Japanese Americans during World War II, including the bombing of their country.

Here’s a quick tour, including a very short video about growing and shaping those huge Longwood Chrysanthemum ‘mushrooms.’ Did you know each of them is only one chrysanthemum plant, patiently trained, shaped and transported into the Conservatory?

First, some favorite photos from the main Conservatory. The huge Japanese lanterns rolling on the grass have tiny lights inside, not visible during the daytime–I’m sad to say!

As promised above, here’s what it takes to create just one of those stunning Thousand Bloom Chrysanthemum plants. Longwood Gardens made the video in 2009. It’s only 3 and a half minutes long.

Finally, here are a few more Japanese lantern photos. First, from the silver, gray and blue cactus garden. These lanterns also have tiny lights inside. You might be able to spot a few if you look carefully at shaded lanterns in the second photo.

And finally, a few spectacular shots of the passageway that runs beside this garden.

Thanks so much for taking time to stop by today!

Elouise♥

©Elouise Renich Fraser, 8 November 2017
Photos taken by DAFraser, 28 October 2017, Longwood Gardens Chrysanthemum Festival
Daily Prompt: Dancing

17 Comments
November 4, 2017

Ikebana and Bonsai at Longwood | Photos


Last Saturday D and I visited Longwood Gardens for a late summer/early fall walk. The flower beds had been put to bed for winter, and the meadow was a seedy expanse of dying yet still graceful grasses. We took a meadow walk, stopped by the children’s railroad display, ate lunch in the café, and then headed over to the conservatory to see the annual Chrysanthemum Festival.

This year the Conservatory went all out with an Ikebana display, a Bonsai display, and Longwood style Japanese Lanterns. Plus thousands of chrysanthemums.

Below are my favorites from the Ikebana display. First, a few things about Ikebana, the art of Japanese flower arranging.

  • Ikebana goes back to Japanese Shinto worship of nature, and the Chinese Buddhist tradition of placing flowers on the altar to Buddha.
  • Today it’s more about flower arranging, following ancient rules and forms. Usually the arrangements are in the form of an asymmetrical triangle.

The exhibit hall is normally set up for musical concerts. This time it’s an Ikebana display of various kinds of Ikebana arrangements. All arrangements are by qualified members of the Ikebana Philadelphia Chapter, which includes Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland. Ikebana International has over 10,000 members in more than 50 countries.

Here’s a look just outside the exhibit hall, back toward the entrance to the Conservatory. You can see Chrysanthemum ‘mushrooms’ popping up, lots of water flowing, and behind all the foliage, lots of visitors!


Turning around from this view, we walked into a large area lined with Bonsai arrangements. Again, this wasn’t a competition, but a display by members of the local Brandywine Bonsai Society. Here are some favorites. I was especially intrigued by the combination displays of ‘large’ and miniature arrangements. The miniatures are shown enlarged; you can also see them beside their exhibit ‘partners.’


Well, friends, I’ve barely touched the Chrysanthemum Festival, and haven’t even begun to show you Japanese Lanterns Longwood style! Stay tuned, but don’t hold your breath. It’s bad for your blood pressure.

Elouise♥

© Elouise Renich Fraser, 4 November 2017
All photos taken by DAFraser, 28 October 2017

16 Comments
October 16, 2017

Monday Morning Sunshine

We had a cool front come through during the night, with blessed relief from 100% humidity day and night, cool breezes, and the slightest hint of sun behind those clouds which will, of course, dissipate in their own good time.

Still, I want some Monday morning sunshine. So here it is, beginning at the top with one of my favorite taken-by-me photos of D, my loyal partner, at Longwood Gardens on the day of our 52nd wedding anniversary. Isn’t he gorgeous? So is that sunshine, I might add.

Coming in a close second is the second main male in my life right now–Prince Oliver Smudge the Second. He’s perched on one of his thrones, alert as ever, loyally watching over my first main male to make sure he doesn’t fall asleep in front of the computer. Also taken by me, this time with my mini IPad (instead of D’s fancy camera).

Next we have one of my favorite Calvin and Hobbes strips about the infamous Divide and Conquer Strategy. I debated using it for my last post, but decided it was too lighthearted for the subject matter. Still, it makes a great point, and the little stab at the end might help you keep your sanity and upbeat outlook at least alive, if not thriving.


Finally, a rousing rendition from Norman Blake in true Southern country music style, from the soundtrack of “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” Sing along and don’t be bashful. It’s great fun!

Cheers!
Elouise♥

© Elouise Renich Fraser, 16 October 2017
Photos taken by ERFraser, 11 Sept 2017 and October 2017
Cartoon found at bloggingblue.com
Daily Prompt: Loyal

13 Comments
September 14, 2017

Thorny Matters and a Happy Update | Photos

Maybe I’m crazy to put these two things together, but they are what they are! In a nutshell, it’s all about Longwood Gardens and what’s happening these days.

Yes, we celebrated our 52nd wedding anniversary at Longwood Gardens! See D’s gorgeous shot above? Evidence that thorny isn’t always ugly. Even though marriage is sometimes like picking a rose and getting the thorns.

Then there are those flowers you just have to wonder about. Why there? And what’s all that fluffy stuff? I don’t have a clue. Do you?

It feels like I’ve been thinking forever about putting some of my favorite blog posts into an ebook or something like that. Sometimes I feel like a snail that isn’t going anywhere. But here’s evidence that if I wait long enough, the beauty, form and shape might suddenly come clear–in a burst of sunlight in the late afternoon. Yes, it’s a Mexican Century Plant. Can you see the beautiful patterns on the back of the sword-leaves?

On another bright note, sometime over the last weekend, I passed two markers: 1000 posts and 1000 followers! I’ve decided that calls for at least two more walks in the meadow. One right here with you so I can show off more of D’s gorgeous photos from Monday’s visit, and another visit to Longwood before we lose this early fall weather. Here’s the only thorny thistle photo I could find from Monday’s meadow walk.

And here are a few last thorny/spiny beauties from inside the Conservatory.

With many thanks for your visits, likes and dislikes, comments, questions and generosity of time. I never guessed I’d love writing so much. Weird, because as an academic I’ve written all my life. But never like this–from my heart to your hearts, as truthfully as I’m able.

Elouise ♥

© Elouise Renich Fraser, 14 September 2017
Photos taken by DAFraser at Longwood Gardens, 11 September 2017
Response to WordPress Daily Prompt: Thorny

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June 29, 2017

More Sunny Day Photos at Longwood

We’re back today at Longwood Gardens, on ground level just in front of the main fountains’ reconstructed home on the right. To the left are formal gardens with their own fountains. Note the lovely boulevard with sturdy benches, and trees that project a leafy art show on the ground below.

The front of the main building is lined with decorative urns,
young dwarf papyrus plants and small ornate fountains.

We walked down the side path toward the conservatory.
Here’s a look back from the top of the stairs.

D took the photo below from the conservatory plaza at about 3:30pm.
It gives a sense of the immensity of this project.
Don’t miss the bell tower in the distance.

Below are two photos D took in June 2015 from the conservatory plaza.
The project was well under way.
It’s hard to believe this (below) became that (above).

Below you can see what the Fountain Garden looked like in August 2006.
Visitors weren’t allowed up near the main fountains, and
the old decorative containers and sculptures were in sad shape.
Most foot traffic went around the edges beneath trimmed trees,
though visitors could sit on the lawn during special events
such as the annual 4th of July fireworks and fountains show.

After visiting other gardens, we walked back through the Fountain Garden.
It was nearly 5:00 pm. Here are several last, lovely looks.



Thanks for stopping by!

©Elouise Renich Fraser, 29 June 2017
Photos taken by DAFraser, 27 June 2017, August 2006 and June 2015
Response to WordPress Daily Prompt: Sunny

7 Comments
June 28, 2017

Sunny Day Photos at Longwood

Yesterday was spectacular, so we took off after lunch for an afternoon at Longwood Gardens. The newly renovated Italian Water Garden opened several weeks ago. Besides that, we hadn’t seen other areas of Longwood this season. Here’s a teeny tiny taste, with more to follow in a later post.

The eye of water at the top has been dry as a bone while renovation of the Water Garden was under way. It’s always a cool shady refuge. Quiet, with benches all around, and the sound of water spilling over into a creek rushing down to a waterfall that drops from the bell tower to a pool below.

We crossed the creek and walked by towering trees to the bell tower.
The giant trunk below is a dawn redwood.


Just beyond the bell tower above you can see stairs going
down from the Conservatory into the new Italian Water Garden.
The photo below was taken from the Bell Tower–
our first peek at the Water Garden from a distance.


Now we’re headed downhill from the Bell Tower to ground level.
On the way, we go through a shady wooded area.


Here we are at ground level behind the main fountains.
We’re going to go up the stairs for a close-up view of the main show!.
Note the small water fountain in the courtyard,
and the elevator tower just left of the stairway.


It’s 3:00 in the afternoon, time for water music and a brief water show.
Here are a few more photos taken from the viewing platform.
First, directly below us, looking toward the Conservatory.
Second, a look back at the Bell Tower.
Finally, I think the gentleman with the keys is checking out
music/water display coordination.



Stay tuned for more Longwood photos!

© Elouise Renich Fraser, 28 June 2017
Photos taken by DAFraser, 27 June 2017
Response to WordPress Daily Prompt: Sunny

14 Comments
May 27, 2017

early Spring splendor

early Spring splendor
fills chilled air with blossoms–
garden seat beckons

***

For one of my followers who wants to know where the garden seats are in Longwood Gardens. There are many–which I’m now collecting from my photo albums. This particular bench has always been one of my favorites–at the end of the flower walk, often in the shade, always off the beaten path.

© Elouise Renich Fraser, 27 May 2017
Photo credit: DAFraser, March 2016 at Longwood Gardens
Response to WordPress Daily Prompt: Infuse

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May 19, 2017

More Spring at Longwood | Photos

~~~pink azaleas on the wooded path toward the lake at Longwood Gardens

Ready for round two of this notoriously breathtaking Garden? The first set of photos took us into the Gardens and down the flower walk. In this set, we’ve left the flower walk and are in a small wooded area, making our way down toward the lake.

Here’s a first look at the lake,
definitely having a hard time with algae at this end,
yet beautifully romantic with a lovely old gazebo.

Turning around on the path,
we see a young red cedar grove beside a waterfall creek
flowing through Longwood’s managed wetland.

 Turning back toward the lake,
we’re walking toward the opposite end of the lake
when we come upon a pair of geese!
First mama, followed by ever vigilant papa.

This handsome human couple has no idea they’re about to
come upon the geese just beyond the weeping willow tree…
Do I know them?

We’ve reached the plaza at the end of the lake,
usually well populated by visitors with cameras,
and excited children feeding the fish with Garden-approved pellets.
Today it’s peaceful and quiet.
Don’t miss the sturdy blue lounge chairs overlooking the lake!
Or the gazebo in the distance.


Meanwhile, back up the steps to the main plaza,
we’ve turned around to see the Italian Water Garden!
Plus one gardener. Leaving the water garden,
we take the path on the right side toward the meadow.


Just before we come to the meadow, we cross a bridge over a pond
and spot a green heron stalking its next meal.
Unfortunately, he didn’t give us a good front-face pose.
Here you can see his handsome back and headfeathers,
followed by a photo of his unfortunate prey. Poor baby.


No walk through the meadow today.
Instead, we take the short perimeter path in the foreground.
A recent controlled burn leveled one major area.
It should be stunning by the end of May.
Here’s a quick look back before we head for the café.

 Before we reach the café, we pass a popular site,
a tree house for children. Now empty because
it’s late in the afternoon. Don’t miss the birdfeeders!


Finally, two looks at early spring growth along the path to the café.



Hoping you have a weekend of note, no matter the season!

© Elouise Renich Fraser, 19 May 2017
Photo credit: DAFraser, May 2017
Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
Response to WordPress Daily Prompt: Notorious

21 Comments
March 22, 2017

my heart skips a beat

my heart skips a beat
poised atop blossoming stems
ready to take flight
anticipation quickens
for this I was created

***

Turning words loose to go where they will
Clear about my identity and to Whom I owe my life
Introverted and grateful for it
Highly sensitive to winds of change
Sailing updrafts and downdrafts
Gliding and plunging
through the inexplicable logic of this universe
known only to my Creator
Taking an uncharted ride to places unknown
Giving wings to words

© Elouise Renich Fraser, 22 March 2017
Photo credit: DAFraser, April 2015
Longwood Meadow Garden, PA
Response to WordPress Daily Prompt: Acceptance

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