And We've Got to Get Ourselves Back to the Garden

My daughter painted these powerful, and for me, truthful lyrics on to a piece of her photography as a gift and  I keep it close to me in the office.  When work gets really busy, as it has been for the past couple of weeks, garden time is limited, and I really miss it.  It's summertime.  You know, the best time of year, when everything is lush and green and in bloom, especially the hydrangeas.

Back in the early 90's, together with a few like-minded gardeners I started a garden club.  It was an amazing club (and is still going strong) and at one point we had ten incredible (and some very well-known) master gardeners. Some of the master gardeners were also very well-connected and because of these gardeners I had the chance to meet and work with a number of well-known Georgia gardeners and that was how I met Penny McHenry a/k/a the hydrangea lady.

Every year when the McHydrangea Festival rolls around, somehow my plans become altered because of a family need but today was the day that I knew I needed to get to the garden. It was the perfect day. So join me now as I share highlights from today's tour. Hope you like it.  Later in the week I'll also show you the mailbox winner and a couple of the potting tables from the potting bench competition.  

Birla House - Gandhi's Last Home

One of our first stops in India was a visit to Birla House or Gandhi Smriti as it is called.  It is the place where Gandhi spent his last days and it is the place where he died.  It's so interesting to me that I went to see India but so much of what I saw while in India inspired self-reflection and it began with the visit to Birla House. Gandhi did more than change India, he inspired social reform in many countries, including the United States.

Gandhi's work space, loom and writing desk

His bed

You cannot walk on this path. These footprints mark the path Gandhi took to the garden for prayer

Gandhi's spinning wheel. He spooled the thread for his garments

Inkwell and note the hear no evil, see no evil and speak no evil monkeys

Time stopped on his pocket watch at the hour of his death

This photo was taken shortly before he was killed

Gandhi's daily path to the garden for prayer

The place where Gandhi was gunned down.

A Great Time at Darden Restaurants - A Great Place to Work

Last week I spent the most amazing couple of days at the Darden Restaurant headquarters learning more about many best practices.  Darden is a Great Place to Work and meeting some of the employees, hearing from company leadership, learning about the many brands (some I knew but a few were new to me) and touring the headquarters was incredible.  If you love food, you would have LOVED this experience. And the highlight of the trip was a one hour session with George Miliotes, Darden's Master Sommelier!  What a great company!  Thank you for your hospitality Darden!!!!