Thoughtful musings on various topics by interesting people at Blithewold
Field Trip – Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Greetings from Brooklyn! It is important to get out and see the world outside our own greenhouses from time to time. With the goal of gaining fresh inspiration and information, Gail, Joe, and I recently … Read more.
Beginning the year with Begonias
Another year comes to a close this weekend. As Gail, Joe, and I prepare our thoughts for the next year, we seek to re-imagine the gardens in new ways. Before the flurry of January activity, … Read more.
Walter Kilham, Jr.’s Recollections of Blithewold
Walter Kilham was the architect of Blithewold. Bessie met him in Boston in 1903 when she hired him to make extensive renovations on her newly purchased Commonwealth Avenue townhouse. She was so pleased with his … Read more.
Cheers
The sun sets today at 4:15 pm. December does not have nearly enough daylight hours for a sun lover like myself. Usually, the heights of the holiday season offset the increasingly dark days of December; … Read more.
First Impressions
I am happy to introduce to you Joe Verstandig, a fellow horticulturist here at Blithewold. Joe started working with Gail and me this past September. He is here on the blog to share with you … Read more.
A Cold December and a Warm Christmas
December 1917 in New England began with a cold spell that only got worse. Estelle Clements writes that on December 1st there was snow and high wind in Bristol. When the family returned to Boston … Read more.
slanted light
The holidays seem to be rushing at us full force this year, as usual. Although I love the lights heralding this season and the feeling of magic in the chilled night air, I want to … Read more.
Thanksgiving Poem by Marjorie Lyon, November 1959
Sixteen at the table this Thanksgiving Day! A cause for rejoicing old Auntie would say! There’s Margie whose flute in an orchestra blows And Auntie whose pictures are accepted at shows. Augustine who excels both … Read more.
A feast of flowers and foliage
After what feels like the most extended summer season I’ve seen in years, autumn is here in full rainy force. To cheer us all up during this time I thought I’d take a moment to … Read more.
October Bliss
September may be my favorite month in the garden, but October is currently giving it a run for its money. This first glorious week of October we have been lucky to have nearly perfect weather: … Read more.