tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87656128559928846332026-02-28T07:41:19.925-05:00Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.comBlogger587125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-3334263834929136332018-12-31T19:28:00.001-05:002018-12-31T19:28:40.846-05:00

     2018 has not been a good year. In fact, it has likely been one of the worst for me and my family. This was a year of great loss for us, permanent loss from death, and temporary loss from incarceration. If there can be any upshots to these losses, it would be the reminder not to wait until people are gone from your life to cherish your relationships. The other upshot was to

Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com145 W 23rd St, Norfolk, VA 23517, USA36.870872608742935 -76.29124588543601236.869284608742937 -76.293767385436013 36.872460608742934 -76.288724385436012tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-84280887950171832042018-07-20T21:12:00.000-04:002018-07-20T21:12:10.462-04:00

     While in Richmond recently, I killed time with a walk along Monument Ave. I have always enjoyed this street with its buffet of architectural styles, handsome trees and gardens, cobblestones, and the monuments themselves. It is one of Virginia's most beautiful, but increasingly controversial streets.

Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com11Monument Ave, Richmond, VA 23220, USA37.553742889484269 -77.45985514309722937.550595889484271 -77.464897643097231 37.556889889484268 -77.454812643097227tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-63554871735523690842018-04-22T19:04:00.000-04:002018-04-22T19:04:13.621-04:00

     This past week three of us from the Norfolk Botanical Garden made a visit to NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. We were primarily there to see their green infrastructure, but we saw much more. The Langley campus is NASA's oldest field operation, and celebrated its 100th anniversary last year. They have made great progress over the past few years in

Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com81 Nasa Dr, Hampton, VA 23666, USA37.0862472 -76.38087989999996811.507348200000003 -117.68947389999997 62.6651462 -35.072285899999969tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-66607577383841633142018-04-14T10:44:00.000-04:002018-04-14T10:44:15.225-04:00

     Next to the Larchmont Library here in Norfolk is a temporary memorial that aims to bring attention to the high rate of suicide among American vets. It is estimated that 20 or more take their own lives every day. That's 140 each week, 7280 each year. This number is likely an indication of inadequate treatment for PTSD and traumatic brain injury. The memorial was created by&

Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com86525 Hampton Blvd, Norfolk, VA 23508, USA36.9012018 -76.30419849999998411.321762800000002 -117.61279249999998 62.4806408 -34.995604499999985tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-43304781623072440242018-04-07T20:15:00.000-04:002018-04-07T20:15:20.680-04:00

     On a recent trip to Virginia's Eastern Shore to enjoy time with my family, I took an early morning walk along the edge of Metompkin Bay. Longtime blog followers will know that I have been here many times before, but it is always beautiful to me, especially at sunrise. Although both dogs joined me, it was Penny's first extended walk since arriving. Due to her tendencies towards

Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com7Accomac, VA 23301, USA37.711212627291495 -75.60428674332797537.6860881272915 -75.644627243327974 37.736337127291492 -75.563946243327976tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-36350675245797298302018-03-29T17:53:00.000-04:002018-03-29T17:53:39.524-04:00

     Although, this year's Winter Walk-Off may not have been the largest, I very pleased with the diversity of the posts. My informal survey says that winter was not terribly extreme, and that it was cold where it should be, and mild where it normally is. The only exception would be my own world, where we finally had more welcome spring-like temperatures just this week. Until this

Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-21443143630201449962018-03-11T18:08:00.000-04:002018-03-11T18:08:28.090-04:00

     On Friday the weather man told me that if I had any outdoor plans for the weekend, that I should make them for Saturday, as a nor'easter would be rolling in on Sunday. So I got up Saturday morning, had my coffee, found my Felcos, and headed outside to tend to my neglected back garden, only to feel rain. I may do wet, and I may do cold, but I don't do wet and cold. I went back

Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com8Portsmouth, VA 23704, USA36.835101508882808 -76.29914760589636.833513008882811 -76.301669105896 36.836690008882805 -76.296626105896tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-78867915873001984432018-03-02T14:07:00.002-05:002018-03-02T14:07:48.068-05:00

     I love poking around old cemeteries, and perhaps my favorite is Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond. After nearly 3 decades I made a return visit while I was in Richmond on Thursday. I set out on foot from the entrance with just a light rain falling, but soon found myself hightailing it back to my truck as the weather intensified. Fortunately, you are also allowed to drive.

Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com6412 S Cherry St, Richmond, VA 23220, USA37.5403977 -77.452978611.9591162 -118.7615726 63.1216792 -36.144384599999995tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-44978383879077246102018-02-25T12:03:00.000-05:002018-02-25T12:03:53.283-05:00

     This week the weather door creaked open, and we experienced glimpses of early summer, with  several days in the 70's, all the way to 80 yesterday. Open windows in late February is not the norm. Friday was an exception. It barely made to 50 with cold, dank air. It never really rained, but a mist fell all day, and I never could seem to get warm. However, it made for some

Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com13Norfolk Botanical Garden, 6700 Azalea Garden Rd, Norfolk, VA 23518, USA36.9015812 -76.200203811.320299700000003 -117.5087978 62.4828627 -34.8916098tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-73031681516158984142018-02-19T18:40:00.000-05:002018-02-19T18:40:06.160-05:00

      Since 2011 I have held my Winter Walk-Off, and though I don't blog like I once did (real life taking away from on-line life), I still wanted to continue with this meme. This has been a mixed winter here. We had extreme cold, kissing the single digits, in January with a good amount of snow. We have also had temperatures in the 70's, and the forecast for Wednesday of this week

Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com27Sarah Constant Beach Park, Norfolk, VA 23503, USA36.9589302 -76.25823100000002311.377648699999998 -117.56682500000002 62.5402117 -34.949637000000024tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-80918116603233900672018-02-03T17:56:00.000-05:002018-02-03T17:56:44.166-05:00

     Back in October, my wife, a friend, and I traveled to Richmond for the day to celebrate my son's birthday. After a delightful lunch we headed down to the James, as I wanted to see the relatively new Potterfield Bridge. The pedestrian and bike only bridge is built atop the stone piers of an old hydroelectric structure, allowing visitors cross the river 20' above the quick

Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com16T Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge, Richmond, VA 23219, USA37.534034826151448 -77.4444071275390837.527738826151449 -77.454492127539083 37.540330826151447 -77.434322127539076tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-35585110077218569332018-01-18T20:19:00.000-05:002018-01-18T20:19:16.778-05:00

     I have spent most of this week at the Mid-Atlantic Horticulture Short Course. I serve on the board of its sponsoring organization, and I have attended this annual event for decades now. It has always been a welcome diversion during the cold part of the year, as I look forward to being introduced to new plants, learning from great designers, and networking with my fellow green

Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-54051537969247523062017-12-31T18:43:00.001-05:002017-12-31T18:43:44.726-05:00

     I am generally a glass half full person, but this past year has me reevaluating my portions. I am not sure I have ever wanted to see a year close more than I have wanted this one to do so. Unfortunately, like many years do, it is leaving a lot of unfinished business for what follows. This was the year hospice took over the care of my mother-in-law, saying she only had weeks to

Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com23Knitting Mill Creek, Norfolk, VA 23508, USA36.8870305 -76.292983836.8743305 -76.3131538 36.899730500000004 -76.272813800000009tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-76739339214422674912017-12-29T22:06:00.000-05:002017-12-29T22:06:23.417-05:00

     Despite greatly decreased activity at my blog, I did not want to let the end of the year go by without posting my favorite photos of the year meme. For a number of reasons, I spent less time behind the lens in 2017. Despite this, I was unable to narrow my choices to 10. There are 16 to consider. Women March, Norfolk 2017 (1/21/17) The first photo on my list was taken at the

Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-38315004823194824882017-11-10T20:02:00.000-05:002017-11-10T20:02:08.510-05:00

     Last Saturday I took my bike to First Landing State Park in Virginia beach for a ride on the Cape Henry Trail. The trail is an old country road cutting across Cape Henry from the Chesapeake to the Atlantic. It runs through a diverse forest growing on a series of ridges formed from ancient sand dunes. In the low spots between the ridges, cypress swamps have formed where the

Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com5First Landing State Park, 2500 Shore Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23451, USA36.907833800000013 -76.01912679999998111.385799300000013 -117.32772079999998 62.42986830000001 -34.710532799999982tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-84248359208976253822017-10-29T15:24:00.000-04:002017-10-29T15:24:43.195-04:00

     Earlier in the month on a gray wet day I participated in planting a rain garden in the NEON District of Norfolk. NEON has little to do with electrified gasses, rather it stands for New Energy of Norfolk, and the powers-that-be have designated this area as the city's arts district. As clunky as the name is, I do applaud the city for promoting the arts, especially in a part of

Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com5Neon District, Norfolk, VA, USA36.8558792 -76.28918320000002536.8495267 -76.299268200000029 36.862231699999995 -76.279098200000021tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-13454310243453129832017-10-09T21:37:00.002-04:002017-10-09T21:37:29.238-04:00

     This past Saturday I took my kayak to the Chickahominy River, close to where it meets the James. This was not my first time here. When I was a child my father belonged to a rod and gun club with a cabin on a bluff overlooking one of the river's tributaries, and visits there are some of my fondest place memories. The water here is brackish, more fresh than salt, but still

Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com7Chickahominy Riverfront Park, 1350 John Tyler Hwy, Williamsburg, VA 23185, USA37.2663682 -76.870683837.215827700000006 -76.9513648 37.3169087 -76.7900028tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-20018692579995683492017-09-30T15:03:00.000-04:002017-09-30T15:03:14.809-04:00

     In the small courthouse town of Accomac on Virginia's Eastern Shore is a building that has always intrigued me. It looks like a Greek temple expressed in wood, and throughout the South you can still see many modest buildings that have been adorned with a few columns and a portico. I find it interesting that this architectural form has inspired so many structures, millennia

Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com823333-23339 School St, Accomac, VA 23301, USA37.723655062170273 -75.670909881591837.720515062170271 -75.6759523815918 37.726795062170275 -75.6658673815918tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-38079767781433496442017-09-22T21:07:00.000-04:002017-09-22T21:07:54.698-04:00

     Several weeks ago my wife and I attended a family wedding on the Eastern Shore, and at the last minute of packing I decided to throw my bike into the back of the truck. The wedding was not until late afternoon, so I headed up to Chincoteague and Assateague Islands to ride their bike trails. I always find it beautiful there, and I always leave feeling better than when I

Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com14Assateague Island, United States38.0932834 -75.20706439999997937.6932414 -75.852511399999983 38.493325399999996 -74.561617399999975tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-14761343575070660672017-04-04T21:09:00.000-04:002017-04-04T21:09:04.006-04:00

     This past week I crossed the bay to speak to a group of garden club ladies on the Eastern Shore. On the way back to Norfolk I decided to visit the gardens at Eyre Hall, especially since this was one of those rare trips to the Shore when I was unencumbered by either disinterested, impatient family members, or dogs suffering from a loud case of separation anxiety. I have been to

Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com133215 Eyre Hall Drive,, Cheriton, VA 23316, United States37.3134567 -75.98170529999998711.791422200000003 -117.29029929999999 62.835491200000007 -34.673111299999988tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-27497272604361111742017-04-01T16:07:00.002-04:002017-04-01T16:07:39.951-04:00

How leisurely the cherry blossoms bloom this year, unhurried, by their doom Kinu, 1817

Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com6Norfolk Botanical Garden, 6700 Azalea Garden Rd, Norfolk, VA 23518, USA36.9015812 -76.200203811.379546700000002 -117.5087978 62.4236157 -34.8916098tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-65604229270809698362017-03-26T15:54:00.000-04:002017-03-26T15:54:12.524-04:00

     For this year's Winter Walk-Off I had 9 hardy souls brave raw cold winds, blinding snow, treacherous ice, and hungry wolves. In reality only one post had snow, though several were soggy and wet; there were no wolves, but several dogs walked; and there were also snakes, chickens, and several other birds. #1 - Janet in South Carolina Janet has walked with me each year of my

Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-24163421063788407892017-03-12T21:20:00.000-04:002017-03-12T21:20:04.282-04:00

     In conjunction with attending last October's Perennial Plant Conference, two coworkers and I were able to visit Chanticleer, and Longwood Gardens - twice. On the night before the conference we went to see Longwood's Nightscape, which is a state of the art combination of original music, color, animation, and movement - all projected onto the garden's plants. You will have

Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com7Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Rd, Kennett Square, PA 19348, USA39.871271 -75.6747202999999914.3492365 -116.98331429999999 65.3933055 -34.366126299999991tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-48218869785123767092017-02-26T19:33:00.000-05:002017-02-26T19:33:30.090-05:00

     Last October, I found myself falling in love with Chanticleer all over again. This was my fourth visit, and I am not going to say it was my favorite visit, because I would also say that about trips 1, 2, and 3. This was, however, my first time in the rain, though not visit-cancelling rain. It was sporadic enough to just keep your umbrella handy, but not always open, and light

Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com21Chanticleer Garden, 786 Church Rd, Wayne, PA 19087, USA40.031311 -75.39136200000001514.509276500000002 -116.69995600000001 65.5533455 -34.082768000000016tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8765612855992884633.post-43953048282065698742017-02-20T20:48:00.000-05:002017-02-20T21:35:07.399-05:00

     Test 1-2-3, Test 1-2-3. Good, I am glad to see this thing's still working. It's been a while since I used it, but I couldn't let this time of year go by without celebrating my Winter Walk-Off meme. Truth be told, we haven't had much of a winter to walk off. Though I am no fan of the cold, I do wish we were having more normal weather. The plants are about 3 weeks ahead of

Leshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18281256160705697856noreply@blogger.com40Norfolk, VA, USA36.8507689 -76.285872636.647684399999996 -76.6085961 37.0538534 -75.96314910000001