Beautiful shots

Big, beautiful, blue agave at the Dallas Arboretum

I was working on an article, and I found these lovely photos while I was on a search for something which worked with my piece. Since we are getting ready to have the Mother of all cold fronts, gaze upon these beauties. First, is the gorgeous agave Helen Weis and I saw when we visited the Dallas Arboretum. It was faboo, and Helen recently reminded me that I had to work very hard to get this photograph going around behind the bed to get the right angle.

The second photo is of the bulbs I forced this fall. They are now large and beginning to bloom, but I liked them best at this stage when they were full of expectation and opportunity. Some of them worked, and others were an epic fail. Still, they’ve given us months of enjoyment. You can’t beat that. I wrote about forcing bulbs and other natural gifts for Lowe’s.

The last photo is another from the Dallas Arboretum. I think it has such an ephemeral quality, and it is one of my favorite all-time shots. Helen and I were walking around the Japanese garden when the misters suddenly came on making our journey a magical one. I can’t tell you how many different shots I have of this small lantern, but there are so many. There are good reasons people are attracted to Japanese gardens.  All that peaceful green mixed with stone makes us breathe deeper and slower. In the hot summer, they are cool and serene. The imposed order created by clipping and spacing the trees helps us feel safe and in control of our world. Japanese gardens are made for strolling through and are to be enjoyed at a relaxed pace. The next time you walk through one notice how the elements of the garden mimic clouds–puffball trimming of the trees–water–raked gravel–and mountains–large stones. All reasons why Japanese gardens are one of the most popular garden types in the world.

Japanese Lantern--Dallas Arboretum

If you can, before the Arctic front hits, try to get outside today and enjoy the abundant sunshine. It’s a perfect day for a walk, or in my case, a leaf clean-out of the beds. As you’re walking or working, think on those things which make you most happy. All of us should count our blessings, and when I count mine, I think of you.