The Lion in Winter

The Lion in Winter is a play by James Goldman that was made into a film in 1968 starring Richard Harris as English King Henry II and, most memorably, Katherine Hepburn as his estranged wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine. The play was set in the twelfth century during the Christmas season, and the titular “lion” was … Read more

Stewartia

A few weeks ago, I vowed that if I had an arboretum, I would include Japanese stewartia, for its beautiful, camellia-like flowers.  As is often the case, a stewartia popped up in front of me just a few days later.  Despite the recent infernal temperatures, it was not a heat-induced mirage. I was on a … Read more

Shadblow

Fall means foliage and as I look around at the array of red, orange and yellow leaves, I wish for more of the same in my garden.  The maple tree out front, which I estimate to be about twenty-five years old, generally makes a great show of fiery leaves.  Climate conditions this year have diminished … Read more