I Simply Remember These Favorite Things, and then I Can Smile All Day
Episode 7, March, 2023
A Plant:
Spiraea ‘Double Play Candy Corn’
Nothing is new about spireas, but like a Transformer, they disassemble and reassemble from a large old hedge plant (like Spiraea van houttei) into an explosion of color that fits in anyone’s garden, even small ones like mine. The flowers are handsome enough but the foliage is magnetic. Seen here is the spring foliage in my garden.
A Garden:
Desert Botanical Garden
There are many gardens I have visited here, there and everywhere but I can’t think of a more unique one than Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, AZ. If you think of desert flora as cactus and scrub, and maybe a few palms, you will be blown away with the diversity of plant life and the remarkable floral displays. A stroll is perfect, but the garden always has interesting events. Next time in the Phoenix area, do not miss this spectacular place.
A Book:
The Diamond Eye, Kate Quinn
Historical Fiction. I have read a number of gripping stories about the cold war, world wars and the amazing people who get caught up in these events. I had not read much about WW2 from the perspective of a Russian soldier. Mila Pavlichenko was a librarian and student when Hitler invaded the Ukraine and Russia. She was thrust into service and became history’s most deadly sniper and her story as a soldier may not be easy to read. However, she was part of a student contingent sent to help nudge Franklin Roosevelt into supporting Russia’s efforts against Hitler. Her lasting friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt is a fascinating part of this true story.
A Show:
Vera
We can’t seem to get away from UK detectives and sleuths. While everyone we know is watching Yellowstone and Breaking Bad, we travel with Vera in northern England as she and her team solve crimes, with a large dose of common sense, as well as little gunfire and overt violence.
Vera is now in her 12th season, we have enjoyed them all.
A Place:
Perth, Western Australia
I have met a ton of travelers going to Australia, but most stay on the eastern side of the country. As wonderful as Brisbane, Sidney and Melbourne are, we recommend Perth and the entire state of Western Australia as a place to visit. The city is wonderful, the gardens are fine, the beaches are unbelievable, the scenery is beautiful and the people are among the friendliest we have met. Not on the trodden path, but if Australia is on your bucket list, you might want to consider a visit to Perth while you are there.