A Moment of Beauty at Filoli Gardens
I received the most wonderful email last week saying, with precautions in place, a local historic garden I love to visit (and want to write about some day) was opening this week. You can bet I was there the day and moment they opened with my mask (that makes me look like a gangster) and took a walk through their beautiful paths that twist around the historic home. In case you also need a moment of beauty while on lockdown or as things ease and open in your area (we are at over three months and more in sight here in Northern California).
This imposing home has been used in many movies and TV shows including The Wedding Planner, Dynasty, The Joy Luck Club and others, and has the most glorious pink blossoms on the trees in the early spring. This week, it was lush and green and quiet. A local graduate was taking photos there with her mask on and off and robes and hat.
The foxgloves played a tune just for me with the dappled sunlight gently peeking out in the morning. It felt like a new dawn had broken forth inside of me. A timid, special moment to cherish after far too many jolts to my system of late.
The Iris lane waved in the wind like graceful ballerinas on pointe and I fell deep into the purple splendor. The tiger patterns on others in reds and golden hues gave me courage and outspoken boldness with their fearlessness. The yellow ones flaunted their beauty like a lady in Gone With the Wind in a wild hoop skirt and matching parasol. Can flowers be fearless? Yes I believe so. Somehow they are like a battery boost to my creative spirit.
The foxglove stood in a field of pink beauties reminding me of the pink ladies in the movie Grease and showcased unfolding splendor. The blossoms on this vine made me remember hope is coming, even when we missed most of Spring, there’s a summer full of possibility if we can adapt.
The purple and rose-colored sweet peas, with many still unfolding, were intoxicating with the high notes of scent and reminded me of ladies from the 1940s with the rolled hair and long gloves in a ballgown. The veins up close are like butterflies saluting the sun with glistening wings.
The light purple sweet peas climbed near a gate to the rose garden, looking like the ride at Disneyland for Alice in Wonderland where they all are singing, or like ladies in the Easter Parade with bonnets poised in grace.
The lane with roses filled my senses with grace and beautiful scents.
The gateway helped me to leave troubles behind and enter a quiet corner under the Elizabeth magnolia in the corner. Observing families also in their masks was a bit strange with children saying, “Daddy, why are you playing dress up now?”
The central courtyard bid me adieu with its dragonflies darting about. And, finally, some flowers Dr. Seuss would have loved to use in a story waved goodbye and, I hope, invited me to return soon.
I hope you find a corner in your part of the world to #takeabreakfromthenews and be renewed indeed. And I’m smiling at you under my mask! Always.
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