The Newest Member of the Family

This is Tootsie, the newest family member. Just look at that face! This is how I was looked at every time I visited the animal shelter. I've never been fond of the diluted calico or torties because I thought they looked muddy. But as you can see, she is more vibrant than most with her shimmering white. But it was her personality that won me over. She's been with us since Thursday and is now beginning to relax. She is such a lover and wants attention and to be petted...a lap cat to be sure. Now to get Shalimar used to her. So far, Shalimar has done her hissing but hasn't been aggressive. I will put Tootsie in Bratley's carry crate and allow Shalimar into the room to meet her. Tootsie is being kept in the family room until she sees a vet on Monday. Once I've been told she has a clean bill of health, I'll be gin switching the cats for an hour at a time to get Shalimar used to her smell and give Tootsie a chance to explore the house. The only problem with switching the cats is that Tootsie won't be satisfied with just in the family room any more and will want out all the time. Today, she tried to follow me out. She's starting to feel much more relaxed and is beginning to be anxious to be a part of the family. But the animals need a little more time. Bratley already met her, but she's not sure about him yet. He's fine with her though. Shalimar is more difficult. It's only been two days. For some cats it may take two months. I certainly hope not.

Because Tootsie is such a lap cat, I find myself drawn into the family room to watch TV and stroke her while she purrs. Chloe was like that and I wasn't aware of how much I missed that. Shalimar isn't cuddly but shows her love in a different way. I hope they get along soon. I'm anxious to get Tootsie acclimated into the family. Shalimar is definitely interested.

Today

Today I took a couple of hours off work to go to the Memorial Service of a friend who passed away over the weekend. He was a good friend and will be missed.

pictures of blooms, etc.

An Unnamed Variety of Viburnam

Wild Spice - Hybrid Rugosa, 1999 - Sport of Blanc Double de Coubert - 1892

The fragrance of this rose is aluring. It has a nice repeat anda beautiful orange hip. This is a rose that require little to no care.


Peach Flombae Huchera
Rachel - Miniflora 2005
Species Hosta
Japanese Painted fern - Usurla

Caramel - Huchera
Fimbriata - Hybrid Rugosa - 1891
June Hosta
Little Sunspot Hosta
Peach Melba Huchera

Let this be a lesson...

I'm not sure how this happened, but my computer seemed to have dropped one of the images from Longwood. I was able to retreive it, but this isn't what this story is about.

About three years ago, at a local nursery, I found this scrawny, little weeping hemlock, looking so sad in the dump area. I inquired about it and it was sold to me for 75% off. I knew nothing about the weeping hemlock and was told that they don't get more than 10 feet tall and were very slow growing. Well, that was simply perfect! I wanted to plant it near my well and needed something that wasn't overbearing.

While we were at Longwood Gardens we saw a mature weeping hemlock. I stood there and stared at this thing. The nursery had been right. About 10 feet tall; this one was maybe 12 feet. Close enough. Slow growing too. According to the information on the plaque this one was nearly 100 years old. OK, no problem there. But what the nursery failed to mention was that the tree gets 50 feet wide!!!!!! Oh, my Lord, I've got to move my weeping hemlock!
The moral of this story is that you can't always believe what you're told in a nursery either. They either didn't know that it had such a spread or they failed to mention it. Now I have to find another place for this little tree. There's no rush to move it since it is so tiny right now and grows ¼ inch tops a year.

I've had mine for three years now and other than looking a little fuller, it's not much larger than it was when I found it. I figure I need to find another home for it in the next 5 to 10 years (hopefully sooner) before it gets large enough to become a danger to my well.

I like this little tree and really want to keep it. I will find a home for it. I will. I will.

Fountains and Other Stuff at Longwood Gardens

These are just some of the other fountains, paths and structures that we encountered throughout our day at Longwood Gardens.

These are the main fountain displays for the estate. They run at intervals throughout the day in a fountain display that is gorgeous. There are wonderful views of it from the main conservatory area.This is our other favorite spot. Taking photographs of the hidden gazebo. While we were here, we met the most wonderful couple who were there, like us, to take pictures of this beautiful spot. We do have a tendency to linger here.
The annual walk and fountain. This is a path that leads you to view a variety of mass annual and bulb plantings. Always a huge punch of color and textures.
The fountain in the woods. This spot almost looks like a runway with a fountain at the end. A single straight up shot of water. We like it here to sit and rest on one of the many benches they have along this strip. It is very inviting.

Both of these pictures are along side of grass and gravel paths through the woods.

Above is a water fall that feeds the Italian garden fountains below. Although I find the Italian Water Fountains a little to formal for my taste, it is nonetheless most impressive. The water fall that feeds this exhibit does draw my attention.

This is a treehouse that we stumbled upon. This is a new exhibit this season. I liked this treehouse and if it were finished inside, other than for a treehouse/play area, I could actually live in this!!!! Except for those steps.

I hope you enjoy this tour of Longwood Gardens. We spent the day there and took almost 300 pictures so this is just a small spattering of the images we have this time.

The Orchid Room at Longwood Gardens

This post needs no further information other than your nose leads you to this most unique inner room.

More on Longwood Gardens

The conservatory is a grand, large scale greenhouse complete with several reception areas that lead to a grand ballroom where parties were always held by the DuPont's. Now, for the 2nd year, the grand ballroom is on display with the rest of the conservatory.

There are founds and ponds and all sorts of waterways running throughout the conservatory, long, decorated paths of ferns and flowers that lead to one greenroom after another. It's an easy place to get lost in. There is a lily pond area that wasn't open to the public yet, a children's garden, bonsai room, tropical room, dessert room, a florist room where they keep florists roses, hibiscus and other interesting florists plants and flowers. All of these rooms are quite interesting from the cactus to the bananas.



We were honored to explore part of the way with a local Red-Hat Society that were visiting the same day. They were an interesting group of ladies.




The next post will be one of our favorite places to linger and take photographs. This is the part of the conservatory we spend the most time and is the most beautiful to view and smell.....