(I'm gonna give y'all some links in a minute that you are definitely going to want to hit. TRUST ME! But before that, you MUST look at some pictures I took with my computer camera out at the Norton Art Gallery today.)
Mercy! What a glorious day it has been here in NW Louisiana! Mr. Weather has graced us with the finest atmospheric results that one could imagine! (You gotta' be from 'round here to catch that one). GLORIOUS! GLORIOUS! GLORIOUS!
Mr. Weather had given me the heads-up this morning that it would be GLORIOUS, so I called up The Mrs. In-law early this am, and asked her if she'd like to go eat lunch with me and The Mrs....then go on out to the Norton Art Gallery grounds and catch the "peak" of the Azaleas. Oh man...she jumped on it like a duck on a Junebug! She loves plants and junk even more than her daughter does...
Me, The Mrs., and The Mrs. In-law, hauled our cookies over to the Ming Garden Restaurant for lunch at about 11:15. Oh man, that place has the best (and cheapest) lunch menu in Shreveport! I always order the "Garlic Shrimp" plate with "extra hot." After we all THREE of us paid the tab of $17 (total) we proceeded to the Norton Art Gallery to walk the sinful lunch off...
When you approach the 40 acres in the South Highland Neighborhood of Shreveport you begin on this bricked path with Azaleas and "gorgeous" other junk all around.
This here is a "Fringe Tree."
This is a close-up of the "fringy" bloom things on it.
This is a closer look at the "George L. somethingoranother" Azalea.
(I wasn't listening real close when The Mrs. & The Mrs.-In-Law were telling me what it technically was)
There are reflecting ponds and Dogwoods all around.
It is not really possible to capture the true glory of God's magnificence with a computer camera.
This is one of the statues out in the grounds. It is entitled "The Plight of the Injun!"
(or something like that)
(or something like that)
It was commissioned to be struck by Mr.Norton back in the 1940s.
As you near the end of the walk, you see this.
Then this!
Then this!!!
As I said earlier, computer cameras can not capture the gloriousness of it all!
It's kinda like when you are standing on the floor of the Los Pinos River valley in Bayfield, Colorado where we lived for a while...the water is rushing...the migratory birds are passing overhead...in the river you see beavers building dams...you look to the north and see banks of oak brush showing their color. You look to the northeast and see an endless bank of Aspens with their shimmering yellow color that is truly worth more than gold in the moment.
You stand there in awe! You are truly unable to form any human words to describe just how grand and glorious a place that God has given us to enjoy for a while. Then, you realize that when we do finally pass through this season of struggle, that there are treasures laid up for us that "eyes have not seen."
This here is a "Snowball Tree."
It's kinda like a hydrangea like we have at Andy's Place. But, it's REAL tall, and the blooms are all white (unlike our pink, purple, and yellow hydrangea blooms) like "Snowballs." Good name, I'll say!
When I saw this thing, I almost wanted to snatch a bloom and start a ruckus with the black guys that take care of the Norton Art Gallery grounds. But, they were not in the mood for it. I did my best to egg 'em on...but couldn't find any takers on a snowball fight!
Lots of weeds to pull...and no time to waste on a mystified Cracker like me.
If you live anywhere near Shreveport, get your butt out there to The Norton Art Gallery this weekend! (You will thank me if you do...)
Okay, I have about 4 reeeely good links I was gonna show y'all. But, it will have to wait for another day.
Fooled ya!
Dude, that looks almost as pretty as Augusta National.
ReplyDeleteBut, it ain't as pretty as the photos I posted today.....
Great pictures, Andy. Norton is a gift to the area, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful garden. BTW "Snowball Trees" are a type of hydrangea.
ReplyDeleteSOOO pretty and peaceful! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAnd three eaters on a tab of $17?? Better not let the Prez find out about that! He'd have to find a way to spread that around.
As I said earlier, computer cameras can not capture the gloriousness of it all!
ReplyDeleteClose enuff, Andy... close enuff!
Most definitely a beautiful place; you are fortunate to have such. I love botanical gardens but it's been a while since I've been in a good one. They're rather thin on the ground where I live nowadays.
Moogie, you have even more glorious places near where you live. I know... The Crescent City has its' troubles...but the lack of beautiful gardens ain't one of 'em.
ReplyDeleteBuck, thanks for the "Close enuff!" But, as you know, there is no way to "capture the moment" with a piece of Kodak hardware...no matter how sophisticated the software.
And yes, Buck...I know where you are currently residing. Not a place really much fit for green stuff. But...and I forgot to mention this...the Norton Art Gallery has put in a new "Southwest US" exhibit.
If I'm lyin', I'm dyin'! They have a sculpture of a male Javelina hog...with his male thingy hanging out (made The Mrs. In-Law LOL) at the entrance to it. I reckon that they are trying to ejumacate us dumb southerners on how plants be out somewheres else.
It didn't flip my switch to see a bunch of cacti, and such (I lived amongst it for quite a while).
But, Pam's Momma was just fascinated by it all! Of course, her back yard is like something out of a House and Garden magazine...and she does it all herself at 75 years old. Tough (wonderful) mother-in-law, I tell ya'!!!