Thoughtful musings on various topics by interesting people at Blithewold

To Arnold Arboretum

I am ashamed to admit that before yesterday I had never set foot inside Arnold Arboretum. Crazy. Good thing for me we came up with a couple excellent excuses for a day trip. The first … Read more.

Ahead of schedule

I don’t want to crow in case any of you are feeling swamped – either by the end of the garden’s season or in anticipation of the holidays – but as Gail would say, “we’re … Read more.

Grand finale

This weekend is the gardens’ final huzzah and I can hardly believe it. The season went by so quickly and it’s quite possible that the gardens have never been prettier than they are right this … Read more.

Sun catchers

This whole glorious summer-like week I have been in raptures over the light. How it slides in sideways through the morning and afternoon… (Are you stuck inside then? Shame.) How it would be blinding if … Read more.

Making arrangements

I don’t think I have been nearly noisy enough about the cutting garden this year. It is so knock-your-socks-off bloomerific. I’m also not sure I’ve mentioned just how fun it is to pick flowers from … Read more.

Equanimity

It feels like the pendulum has paused exactly mid-swing, balanced between seasons, temperature extremes, and in the high blue sky between dewy mornings and golden afternoons. Right here, right now, everything, except maybe my raging … Read more.

Kaleidoscope

I am always reluctant to say goodbye to summer but this morning, as I type with cold hands for the first time in months, I have to acknowledge a shift. The capricious weather has been … Read more.

Distractions

It seems to me that this has been the busiest week all summer. There’s so much going on in the garden! But I have to admit that very little of the work is being done … Read more.

How to slow summer down

I wish I knew that trick because once again summer seems to be flying by — despite long days in May and June spent planting; despite what felt like an interminable heatwave in July. But … Read more.

4th of July sparklers

I can’t let Independence Day go by without shooting off some of Blithewold’s prettiest sparklers. (As always, click on pictures for a larger view and captions or just mouse over for captions.) Have a happy … Read more.