The ultimate F word...

It's official!  I am freakin' F-F-FIFTY!

(THAT F word...haha!)
Yep, you heard (read) correctly!  Half a century old!
Though in Asian culture, time spent in the womb counts so I'm technically 51!

How the heck did THAT happen?!
You know that old saying, "time flies"?  Well, it truly does!

When I was a little girl, 50 looked ancient!  Do you remember thinking that, too?
Even our grade school teachers, in their 20's and 30's, seemed so old!

But now that I'm HERE, I certainly don't FEEL ancient.  

So what exactly does 50 feel like? 

Let's face it, 50 has gotten a lot younger as we have gotten older.

 Maybe it's because our views and fears on aging are so different now, right? 

To celebrate, I was lucky enough to plan a wonderful vacation in Punta Cana (Dominican Republic), dancing the week away.  Though I 'worked' 6 of the 7 days as a fitness instructor (teaching Zumba), I had a wonderful time!  Free accommodations, all the food and liquor you can handle, AND bring your spouse at no charge(!)...all in exchange for teaching an hour or two a day...it was too good a deal!  And the perfect getaway to reflect and embrace the BIG 5-0.

There is no better feeling than seeing laughter and joy light up so many faces.  

Who doesn't love music and dancing!  I could do it 24-7!
Though my 50-yr. old joints would need a few squirts from the oil can!

I will cherish these memories for a very long time.

 

Back to the F word...

We also often hear, "age is just a number".

Age is so much more than just a number.  It's your state of mind, your spirit,
your life's journey.  How you live it.

That's what makes you unique...at whatever age.

I certainly don't have it all figured out yet, but I do try to learn from my actions,
and not just go in circles making the same mistakes.

 

I've learned if you have an itch to try something new, go for it!

Don't be afraid to fail. Dream.  Dream BIG!

Accept things you cannot control.  Learn to let go of baggage. 
Easier said than done I know, but, try.

Do more good.  Help others.  Make more friends.  

Realize that family and friends are more valuable than all the riches in the world.

 Appreciate them.  Tell them you LOVE them.  Every day.

Be hopeful.
Soar high.  

Also believe that what you seek seeks you.
 

 And, most importantly, get to know yourself.  Take time out each day and just be.
Meditate, read a book.  Take a walk, or dance like no one is watching. 

 Breathe deep and enjoy each day we are given.

JUST DO IT!

 No, I'm not always this cheerful...ask my family! 
Life gets to me, too...and baffles me at times. 
Yet, it still delights...and I find treasures in the ordinary.

Don't be afraid of dark days. 
They are needed to make us appreciate the bright ones.

If I've learned one worthwhile truth, it's this:
After every storm...

appears a rainbow.

You just have to look for it.  It's there!

So here's to a new chapter and a new saying, "life begins at 50"
WOO-HOO!!!

        Thanks for visiting, friends.  Enjoy your summer!

Waiting and watching...

I know I am not the only gardener (in zone 6), to be neurotically checking on her garden's progress.  Hellebores (Lenten Rose) are usually blooming their hearts out by the end of March.  This year, there is nary a bloom on any of the clumps....what is going on?!

So featured photos below are from a recent trip to Longwood Gardens (PA) during their AMAZING orchid show.  Any friends from NJ attended?  An afternoon in this conservatory more than satisfied my hunger for vivid colors and blooms galore. Aahh...

Have you ever seen such HUMONGOUS oriental lilies!  And the afternoon light couldn't have been more perfect!  Here is the elusive Himalayan Blue Poppy

Mixed in with pink tulips really made them pop!

 

Imagine the heady fragrance from these Stargazers

The many faces of Lady Slipper orchids.  Cute, aren't they?

You can't miss it on this one!  So unique it was under lock and key in its very own greenhouse.

 This garden made my mouth water.  Seriously, it did!
(As always, click on the photo to enlaaarge)

I do grow an orchid here and there, but, I am NOT a collector.  Are you?

These orchids look like pansies!

Seeing these gorgeous blooms in person tied me over a bit...at least til the forsythias and magnolias put on their show.   Thanks for visiting and hope you enjoyed the eye candy, friends!

B is for...

Beautiful Butterflies!  And, boy oh boy, were they ever!

What a special morning I spent here at Niagara's Butterfly Conservatory.
In it's 17th year of operation, this tropical paradise is home to approximately 45 different species, totaling 2,000 butterflies in a given week.

Did you know that, on average, butterflies live only 2-3 weeks?!  Of course, there are some species that live only a few days, while others (migrating monarchs) survive 6-8 months.  I didn't know that!

For feeding, butterflies use their proboscis, the straw-like tube, to suck up nectar.

When not in use, the proboscis curls up like a coil.

The two fore and two hind wings are supported by veins.  The velvety surface of the wings are actually thousands of scales, connected to create their beautiful color and pattern. 

Above and below photos are of the same specie, the Blue Morpho.

Their markings can either blend in for survival...or promote warning with bright colors.

Over half of the population in the Sanctuary are imported from Central America and Indo-Asia.

In order to prevent pests and diseases, no host plants, on which the female can lay eggs, are grown here.  To maintain the right balance, new butterflies are 'raised' in a controlled environment on premise.

 

Some of my favorites of the day were this green and tan beauty, the Malachite.

And this black/white Rice Paper butterfly.

The Zebra Longwing below (in the foreground) landed often on the rim of my camera...

but were always too quick!

The enclosure houses over 100 different plant materials.  Many are exotic but there's a few you might recognize...like these crotons and anthurium.

This tiny guy (2-3" wingspan) is known by 5 names:  The Red Postman, the Small Postman, Red Passion Flower Butterfly, the Crimson-patched Longwing and Sara Longwing....whew!

Trays with rotted fruit provide their main source of nourishment.

And flower nectar, of course.

Though all butterflies have 6 legs, we mostly only see 4. Like in the above photo of the green Malachite.  The front two are very short and sometimes non-functional.  Another fun fact is they can taste with their feet!

This stunning Cairus Birdwing was one of the largest!

A controlled climate of 80 degrees F., with matching humidity, caused many foggy pics!  I will definitely plan another visit next time I'm crossing the border.  I hope you enjoyed this tour of the Sanctuary and I hope you'll have a chance to visit in person, too!

Other than it being St. Patrick's Day, March 17 signifies an important date for me, as a gardener.  It's time to start my Sweet Peas from seed!  Growing season still feels so far off  (cold temps this week) but, it's imminent...thank goodness!  Have a great day!

My Favorite~Orchids!

I could probably do 10 posts from the hundreds of photos I took just on orchids alone! The variety and abundance of blooms took my breath away! The lighting, however, made it tricky to capture them in full glory, not to mention waiting for the crowds to thin out as I snapped each view and angle. Thank goodness patience is in my nature...most of the time!





Quite terrestrial looking this one...






Really cool were the bromeliads and other tropical plants.


It's no wonder this bloom-laddened specimen won 1st Price






Dendrobium 'Spectabile'~described as grotesquely twisted, I found it quite unique and beautiful. A collector's plant costing upwards of $100!



This was much more impressive in person...a deep, deep purple, almost a blue tone to it.

Not true to nature, but this 'orchid tree' was quite impressive!



A big 'thank you' to all the friends who've popped in to say hello. I always enjoy your visits and comments!
Our best weekend yet to do some yard recon and really get excited about what's blooming...just around the corner!