Closed Doors

 We have had some gorgeous spring days lately. The sunshine is amazing! Yesterday I decided I needed to sit in the sun and also the hot tub/spa at my apartment complex. Off I went. There were a few children playing in the pool, but no one in the spa. Happy Day! I set up my chair, took my robe off, and turned on the jets of the spa. Getting ready to step into the warm water I found a sign "Spa Closed".  Now I am not sure why it was closed, but I wasn't going to take my chances. I returned to my chair in the sun and sat there for awhile. In my sitting I noticed the joy of the children playing and teasing each other. I noticed parents and friends enjoying the day in the sun. It was a lovely time to feel the sun on my face and rest. Sometimes doors open in a different direction just because the door you thought you were walking through was closed.

That being said, on Saturday I drove to Elk Rock in Portland. It is less than a 1/2 hour from my apartment and has gorgeous gardens. It is on the grounds of an Episcopalian Retreat Center that overlooks the Willamette River. Many people don't know it is open to the public, as it is tucked in a quiet neighborhood and doesn't have markers to find it. You have to know it is there.

I wanted to go see the wisteria, as I knew it would be in bloom.

I drove up to the property, the gate was open; so I drove inside and parked in the visitor parking lot. There was one other car there, but I didn't see anyone. I got out and enjoyed the wisteria immensely. It was the best I had ever seen of it in all the years I have tried to capture it. It amazed me that no one else was there enjoying it. It felt like I had the place to myself in my own "secret garden". 

After enjoying the wisteria, I walked on through the grounds snapping pictures as I went.

Still I saw no one.

The sun was glorious.

The flowers gorgeous.

Ahhh! Another wisteria! I had forgotten there was a white one on the walking bridge.

One trillium hiding under the flowering bush.

The view of Mt. Hood and the river was spectacular!!!

It was a glorious walk. I enjoyed every minute.

Returning to my car I proceeded to leave.

No, I never saw a person in the garden.

As I drove out to leave I realized the gate was now closed, strange!

It automatically opened to let me leave and then closed behind me.

As I looked back I saw the sign, "Closed on Saturday and Sunday".

Did they close the garden just so I could enjoy it by myself?

Laughing with flowers I thoroughly enjoyed.

I guess I was trespassing, but then I had a delightful time in the garden.

My own "secret garden" just for me.

Sending love,

Marilyn

Home Again, Adventure Taken

 My adventure took me to the Big Island, Hawaii to visit a friend. Each morning we started with a visit and tea. Then an adventure!

Day One

The beaches are volcanic, but I wanted to see the beach. Off we went down the road to the nearest beach to my friends house. Though it wasn't the type of beach to lay out in the sun it was beautiful to listen to the waves touch the ground at the shoreline.

Then because we were sitting on a volcano on the Big Island there was a hike to see the caldron steam.

A stop at a local fruit stand intrigued me with varieties I had never heard of.

A walk in my friend's garden and we spotted passion fruit hanging from the vine. One ripe one was enjoyed by me. Oh, I do love passion fruit (lilikoi). I enjoyed it fresh from the vine, but also in a jelly and shaved ice. 

The fruit from the palm trees in my friend's garden were not edible, but looked beautiful hanging from the tree.

Day Two 

 A friend of my friend invited us to come for lunch and a walk in her garden.

From the time I stepped off the plane the vegetation of the island amazed me. It was like a tropical paradise or maybe Jurassic Park live and in person.

I almost forgot to tell you about stopping at a garden nursery.

OK, I was besot/enamored by the flowers.

Day Three

We visited a chocolate farm where the owner/farmer gave us a tour. Beside growing and producing chocolate, the family has a farm to table restaurant in town where the food comes from this 3 acres farm. I was amazed at the variety of fruits and vegetables grown here. There were even beehives with busy bees producing honey, a pond for the frogs and dragonflies, and a small rice bog.

The farmer said there were wild pigs hiding in the vegetation. The island has quite a population of wild pigs and some wild chickens. I did see one family of pigs along the road.

Here is the rows of chocolate plants. Can you see the pods?

The farmer sharing his stories that were fascinating to hear. The farm is organic. They have a program where they bring in high school age kids to work on the farm and learn about bio-diversity.

Even vanilla grew here. It wound it's vines through the trees. All very lush.

Again it felt like walking into the jungle. I did bring home a few chocolate bars and mosquito bites.

Since I took so many pictures to share, I will continue on another day this week. For now all I can say is my adventure was about spending time with a friend and amazing vegetation, plus good food coming from my friend's kitchen.

Sending love,

Marilyn

Focus on the Stars

 

“You must have chaos within you to give birth to a dancing star.”

— Friedrich Nietzsche (Thanks Corey)

Welcome Fall Equinox

Here we are on the first day of fall where night and day are equal in length for a very short time. We are headed into the dark nights with less light in our day. It is even more imperative that we notice the small glimmers of light. Hold on to the glimmers, celebrate them, and never let the darkness get you down.

Last evening I attended a fund raiser for a local organization called Growing Gardens. It was a celebration of growth and helping others. My "live in gardener" and I sat at a table of all Hispanics. It was fun to hear their involvement in the organization and their joy of gardening and honoring each other. Even though we didn't understand their conversation, they were kind to include us from time to time in conversation.

The watermelon bouquet was all edible, from the garden.

The cucumber/honeydew melon, kombucha was made of things from the garden.

Earlier in the day I attended a tea tasting.

That also was a joy, a sparkle in my day.

The green leaves were much of the tea we tasted.

It also came from someone's tea garden.

My friend, Ana, pouring the tea as we sat around the table in a friend's greenhouse.

And there were small flames and sparkles on Saturday night, where my church had a gathering on a farm to just celebrate being together as we enter fall.

As the sun goes down over the orchard in the country, I noticed the colors of the sky and they sparkled.

And the light of the fire made my heart happy.

Simply, I just keep noticing and sharing with you. May our spirits stay happy, sending love to each other in the dark night and chaos. We can be those "dancing stars" in the dark night.

Notice what you Notice!

Sending love,

Marilyn