“Amber Ghost Japanese Maple”
Heatherwood Hill of Learning
We planted this beautiful Japanese maple a couple of weeks ago. It has already started to change into its autumn glory. We now have 44 Japanese maples planted throughout Heatherwood. This Amber Ghost will accentuate the view out of my office window. Every morning when I write, I turn and gaze out over the “Hill of Learning” to get a little inspiration of what is to come during the emerging day.
“Early Morning Sunlight”
Heatherwood Japanese Garden
The color is starting to change in our Heatherwood garden. The early morning sunlight brightens up the colorful leaves. Every day brings a change in the colors. For the next several weeks I will be out in the garden continuously. Every day presents a gift of something new.
“Lonesome Alley”
Venice, Italy
In our free time, we were on constant alert for unpopulated alleys. They were few and far between, even in the back street areas away from the main tourist sites. Tourists seemed to be everywhere. We make it difficult for the hometown Venetians to live a private life. During our next trip (there will be one), I hope to spend our time searching for little out of the way places to courteously explore, eat, and enjoy the wonderful city the way a Venetian does.
“The Grand Canal, Early Morning”
Venice, Italy
It is much more enjoyable to stroll the iconic places in Venice at 6:00 AM, before the tourists wake up. Compare this view of the Grand Canal with the image in my last post that was taken mid-afternoon. Large crowds dominate Venice from about 8:30A to 10:00P. During these time periods I tried to focus my walks to the back streets.
“The Grand Canal from Rialto Bridge”
Venice, Italy
Compare the heavy traffic on Venice’s Grand Canal with the quiet peacefulness of the small back canal in my previous post. I much prefer the intimacy of the “off the beaten track” places over the grandeur of the iconic scenes. To get this image, I had to wiggle my way through a crowd to a spot on the Rialto Bridge. On my previous post, I just had to wait a minute or two for a gondola to pass.
“Pastel Canal”
Venice, Italy
It is quite a change in perspective from the rural Palouse countryside in Washington State (in my previous post) to 13th century buildings in Venice, Italy. The concept of history is so very different between the two.
We just returned from a trip to Venice, Florence, and Rome. My mind is whirling trying to put the Roman Empire, Middle Ages, and Renaissance time and cultural evolution in perspective. The trip is a catalyst for me to set aside time to study and refresh my knowledge of history.
The above image caught my attention from several unrelated view points: the soft pastel colors, the water and bridge without any boat or people traffic, the bridge connecting the two buildings (what were their relationships?), the mystery of what is around the corner.
“Steptoe View”
The Palouse, Washington
One of my favorite places to be in Washington State is on Steptoe Butte in the Palouse. It is a place where I can gaze over the rolling hills of the farm land below and dream of the past, present, and future. Time goes by, clouds skim across the sky. Little ‘ant-like’ vehicles move about. Memories flash through my mind. When I was a little tyke, Uncle Ben and I would walk out to the sagebrush ridge past our orchard. We had our special rock where we would sit and look over the Naches valley below. Farmers would be working their fields, driving their tractors back and forth. He would tell me stories both fictional and of his past experiences. I would dream.
I close my eyes, then open them up again. The farm land fades away. In its place emerges a pattern of textures, tones, and curves. The scene below becomes a flowing blanket as the shadows from the clouds traverse across.
“Kotoji, Red Dragon and Ryu Sei Japanese Maples”
Heatherwood Japanese Garden
The Kotoji Japanese lantern is flanked by the ‘Red Dragon’ Japanese maple on the left and the new ‘Ryu Sei’ maple on the right. The Red Dragon was planted in 2019 when the Japanese garden was first constructed. The Kotoji lantern was added the next spring. We just planted the Ryu Sei this summer. The Ryu has a weeping form. Over time it will grow and gracefully bend over the stream below the Kotoji.
Heatherwood is constantly changing and growing. As long as my imagination continues, I hope to continuously add to to the garden.
“Two Zelkovas”
Heatherwood Summer
Four years ago this area was a pasture of grass and weeds. The house and garage below was clearly visible. It is amazing how a few trees, shrubs, perennials, and grass can change the scene. The lawn grass was planted three years ago. The trees and most of the shrubs and perennials were planted two years ago. Several fill in perennials were planted last year. This year we have just sat back and enjoyed this part of Heatherwood.
In the years ahead, the two Zelkova trees will grow and form a natural canopy and “tunnel” between the two planting beds. The trees in the background will get taller and entirely block our neighbor’s garage. The shrubs, ornamental grasses, and perennials will fill in and continue to add color and interest. For now, we sit back and enjoy!
“View From Rock Garden Path”
Heatherwood Summer
The summer is rapidly passing. June, July, and more than half of August have wizzed by. September is right around the corner. School starts in two weeks! The many 100 plus degree days have been hard on the garden. But it has also brought out brilliant colors.
We are very thankful to have an adequate water supply. We water in the evening to keep most of our trees, shrubs, and vegetation healthy. We have lost a plant or two when a dripper becomes plugged. But overall, the garden has survived very well. Our feeling go out to the many who live in areas of severe drought conditions through the West, the country, and around the world.