garden

From Poi Pond to Bird of Paradise 

The white surf on the coral reef disappeared into the blue shadows along the shoreline. From the cliff house, on the East Shore of the island, the daily temperature rarely dipped below 71° and seldom peaked above 84°. Our exercise regimen included a two-mile walk along the small stretch of beach on Kalapaki Bay. Looking out beyond open waters, the azure blue of sky and sea melded together until it disappeared into a hazy horizon. The sun shown so brilliantly white, I often had to squint behind polarized sunglasses just to find shade in the leafy fronds of a towering palm tree. Evening strolls through the cultural garden past bridges, waterfalls, and statues led us on stone pathways from magnificent Poi Pond to exotic Bird of Paradise. A nightcap against the radiant sunset soothed the senses. Two tropical cocktails arrived decorated with a maraschino cherry and fresh-cut pineapple wedge skewered by pretty paper umbrellas. Well done, Kauai Marriott Beach Resort. 

Boston’s Public Garden Charms Everyone

Young and old alike may be drawn to Boston’s Public Garden for a treasured Swan Boat ride experience or to simply stroll along the breathtaking pathways to gaze at the ornamental landscape in awe. Bronze figures and animated statues add to its allure. Have you seen the infamous Duckling Sculpture of mama duck with eight baby ducklings trailing behind in military formation? Its story dates back to 1941. The evening we were drawn to the Public Garden, it became the perfect backdrop for high school prom attendees. The air was alive with lighthearted laughter, captivating dialogue, good-humored fun, and romantic love stories. We walked hand-in-hand crossing the beautiful arched bridge as the evening shadows cast a warm golden glow over the village green. Well done, Boston!

Bellagio Conservatory is Transformed into Japanese Tea Garden in Las Vegas, Nevada 

Fragrant cherry blossoms, graceful pebble fountains, delicate origami cranes, and exotic koi fish in a tranquil pond are a few of the eye-popping elements in this vibrant display. At every turn, thousands of fresh tulips, daffodils, snapdragons, and spring flowers blanket the ground among botanical animals enormous in size. Overhead ethereal hand-painted parasols appear floating in air. Linger among the bonsai trees, note the abstract stone art of Mount Fuji, and be inspired by the karma of the Far East recreated in the Bellagio Conservatory at Las Vegas. 

The Open Arms of Love

“Just imagine becoming the wayyou used to be

as a very young child,

before you understood

the meaning of any word,

before opinions took over your mind. 

The real you is loving,

joyful, and free. 

The real you is just like a flower,

just like the wind,

just like the ocean,

just like the sun.”
~ Miguel Angel Ruiz

Behold the Lovely Clematis 

“The common hill-flowers wither, but they blossom again. The laburnum will be as yellow next June as it is now. In a month there will be purple stars on the clematis, and year after year the green night of its leaves will hold its purple stars. But we never get back our youth.”~ Oscar Wilde, “The Picture of Dorian Gray”.

Peony Pondering 

My Garden of Prayer

“My garden beautifies my yard
and adds fragrance to the air…

But it is also my cathedral 

and my quiet place of prayer…

So little do we realize

that ‘the glory and the power’

Of He who made the universe

lies hidden in a flower.”

~ Helen Steiner Rice

The Allure of Poppies

“And now, my beauties, something with poison in it, I think. With poison in it, but attractive to the eye, and soothing to the smell. Poppies…Poppies. Poppies will put them to sleep. Sleeeep. Now they’ll sleeeep!”

– Wicked Witch of the West, Wizard of Oz.