Here for 3 days. Lived in Boston working as a nurse from 1979 to 1981 at the Joslin Clinic, and returned 7 years ago for a brief visit. Decided it was time to visit again.

Since I am unsure what our reception would be in the EU with our current prez feel it best to stay stateside.

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Was shocked how pricey B town hotels were so went with a hostel that Expedia recommended, and am quite pleased thus far.

On the way to the hotel did some exploring on Charles St., so much has changed in 40 years!

Then the Gardens.,

And a closeup of the boats..

Gee, I’ve worked up an appetite. Time to go to the North End for some Italian food..

Think I’ll do this blog pictorially. The flowers say it all.

I was fortunate to hook on for the garden tour by the volunteer docents. Most days at 12 or 1. Call ahead for specifics, as what a wealth of information they hold.

The children’s playhouses

And will close withe the garden fountains

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Haven’t been here in 40 years, and the universe gave me another perfect day for this visit. Was so thankful!

Where do we start with this visit? I believe a little bio on the family is appropriate.

The Phipps Union was a happy one with 4 children, 3 boys, 1 girl. They were married over 50 years and even slept in the same bedroom!

Marjorie was a Brit, the child of a shipping magnet, and he an American who inherited 40 million from the Carnegie steel sale.

Not a bad way to start a marriage..

During WWII Marjorie housed 30 of her nieces and nephews from the EU in the home.

And in each room there was a flower 🌼 arrangement from the gardens.

And we’ll end our tour with a closer look at one of the many splendid chandeliers.

Need I say this is a must see and wait till you see the gardens..

On this pristine day, the last day of April, drank in the beauty of this Park, and the exceptional Museum attraction.

Let’s start with the outdoor sculpture park.

There also is a studio where classes are held. Wish I lived closer, they have great offerings…

Now I’m off to the real reason for the visit, The Art Deco exhibit.

This was a remarkable exhibition, well done, and kudos to the Museum.

Art Deco is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The movement actually began in Europe, but quickly caught abroad. It began after the then pandemic, and World War I.

20th Century Rendering

But actually…

Back to the exhibit..

Also at the Museum was an extensive collection of young Tiffany, (son of Tiffany), art. Here are some, and they are truly lovely in oils, and watercolors.

Charles was a traveler.

Then there is dad’s art work. Tiffany lived on Long Island so understandably his works were grabbed up by the wealthy Gold Coast folks.

His Lamp

His Vase

And they even managed to have a Picasso and Chagall here.

Go if you can, take time to walk the grounds, and as always, Enjoy!

The universe smiled on me for this visit. The day was literally perfect as I said earlier. Flowers were in bloom, the sun shown brightly, and there was a slight breeze as I enjoyed the fragrant smells, and beautiful colors.

Here are the flowers..

The Azaleas and Rhododendrons

Planting fields was the home of the Coe’s. The mistress of the house was a Standard Oil heiress, and Mr. Coe was in Marine insurance, then later railroads, etc., etc.

They were philanthropists of the arts and their home was Tudor style having 65 rooms. Sadly, the home is only open on the weekends so I was unable to tour, however, I did manage to peek in the windows and it is beyond words.

Here is the home..

What a wonderful day!

You never know what you’ll find when you travel!

This would have been my father’s 101st birthday 🎁.

Thanks for the gift dad.

After hearing of the Art Deco exhibit at Nassau County Art Museum on Sunday Morning decided I must go.

Don’t you just love Jane Pauley!

We kind of grew up up together. She’s 74, born on Halloween 🎃, a Scorpio, so she’s super smart. And she nabbed Gary Trudeau, the Doonesbury cartoon guy, or more than likely he nabbed her. Regardless, she certainly knows her stuff.

Watch her 9am Sunday’s on CBS.

After the show immediately made arrangements for a hotel near the Museum of Art of Nassau County. Found a clean and friendly place across the street from a beach 🏖️ . And while Long Island beaches are a bit more rocky for my taste got in a nice beach stroll and some sunshine as the weather was 78 degrees!

Long Island is gorgeous with multi million dollar homes behind large gates, and treed lots hiding their beauty. It was a delight and eye 👁️ opener just to see the homes with their manicured lawns and gardens.

Never will be able to afford, but a treasure to see and appreciate.

On to Planting Fields..

Did you hear that items are being removed from the Smithsonian Museum of African Americans?

WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — Some artifacts and exhibits are being removed from the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

It comes a month after President Trump’s executive order to remove what he calls “improper ideology” from Smithsonian museums.

Do I need to say what is next?

Went to a social and play in Callicoon, NY. Before I paid the 80 bucks asked if folks would be friendly to this single gal and was assured they would. Well, thus far all have turned their back on me so will eat and run and the hell with the play.

Things changed so I stayed, here’s the cider mill pics where we had a most delicious buffet.,

First on the schedule of this visit was the reading of The Midnight Ride.

Since I am going to Boston early May for a short visit this one woman play fit in. It was the next piece after the reading of the poem. The play was about Paul Revere’s wife, Rachel, and I received much valuable information for my visit.

Another View of Rachel

Reading of a letter from Paul.

The cake made for the play.

When I was in West Albany elementary I recall each May Day Miss Zelinski, putting us around the May Pole and doing Russian dances. She was from Russia.

My one dance partner was John Hickey. As Miss Z., stuck me with him. Poor John, but he was gracious, and probably dead by now, and in Heaven for dancing with the fat girl.

No one ever wanted to dance with the fat girl. 60 plus years later I remain the albatross as I am thinner than all the fat people of this day and age, go figure.

Someone at work recently told me they hate me as I don’t have a belly.

Will I ever win???

Enough of that…

Have been entrenched in my garden since my 36 hour holiday. I have purchased hay and grass seed spreading it over the 1/3 acre. All my deer resistant plants are planted as well.

It has been fun but exhausting. Yesterday I leveled a section of the lot with the 1 ton of dirt.

Boy, did I feel that last night!

Even two watermelon juice merlots didn’t squelch the pain. I finally had to use the pain pills the dentist in the Azores gave me and it worked!

I’ve decided the cabin is too much for me and am in talks with 2 realtors. Looks like I’ll loose about 150 thousand but if I install a well for 20 to 40 grand I’ll only loose 100.

Big decisions.

Went to the DA yesterday about my erroneous contractor who did faulty or no work and took my money. I’m up to over 20 grand in those that “fixed” things, but even those “fixes” in some cases were a waste of money.

I thought when you got old it would be easier.

Here’s some pics of the garden.🪴

Happy May Day.

Thanks, Miss Zelinski.

Will end the month with yet another video on this which would have been my father’s 101 birthday 🎁.

Guess my daughter had better keep her pom in or always within eye 👁️ sight.