Tag Archives: gardens

New Video, exploring the Danny Woo Community Garden

Check out my new video, now up on my Traveling Orion Youtube channel!

This latest is my continuing stroll through Kobe Terrace Park, to the adjacent Danny Woo Community Gardens. For over a quarter-century, these collected plots of land have serviced the local community, and add much character to Seattle’s International District’s local culture! Definitely worthwhile, for anyone who enjoys gardening or just feels the heart and soul of it all.

Meanwhile, I did a little refining on my post-production editing routine, figuring out more on the subtleties of timing and spacing. I think I need a bit more practice and learning, but I will get there. I also added some music (free use provided by YouTube resources) at the end credits. I like it.

Anyway, here it is. Enjoy!

Colorful Gardens at the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

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I recently visited the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in Northern Washington State on a gray day this April. Some of that was detailed in my previous post, Colorful Views…). As amazing as the tulip fields were, I was also impressed by the Roozengaarde display garden area. Here, there are “90+ varieties of tulips and over 150 flower bulb varieties in total. Included are tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, crocus, muscari and other specialty flowers.”

The colors this time of year stand out, and a worthwhile attraction for tourists and locals in the Pacific Northwest. According to its website at tulips.com, the display garden is open all year round. Seeing these with the fields during the festival, is just an added bonus.

I now share some pics of the wonderful display garden below (click on each for the bigger picture):

The admiration and picture-taking was a joy, but personally seeing this for yourself is the best experience, especially with friends or family. For more info, click here and check out the Roozengaarde official site at Tulips.com for more info about tulips and purchase options

– Orion T

 

 

Pictures of the Fall 2016, Leaves Away and Soon Gone..

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My favorite part of the Fall is the scatter of leaves. They bring a sense of serenity in the midst of changing weather, with new winds and storms ushering the cold ahead. There can be a bit of melancholy about them when you apply character. They had their run and now must rest until there is wither and end. But first, take in the beauty of the loveliness shown with the sort of lush greenery and return to nature brought, especially in the cityscapes of which I often pass through.

They add to the quiet, and for some also the loneliness of mundane life. You can become part of it, and be still. Let it all sink in, and watch as more leaves gather. Especially on a Sunday, the simplicity of it all brings serenity before the usual workweek schedule takes over.

Like many wonderful things, there will be an eventual end. Fall to me can be warmer than spring to the emotional spirit feeling loneliness within. The leaves make good friends when my feet are among them until taken away by landscapers with their leaf blowers machines and crude metal rakes, or withered by time; hard to decide which is the crueler. The trees above will be stripped to face the coming cold, naked and silent until the rescue of spring next year. I shall empathize with them until then. But for now, I shall take more walks and love the Fall moments while they last…

– Orion T

Pictures above and below, taken at the Jim Ellis Freeway Park in Downtown Seattle, by me in the early November at different days and times…

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Picture of Today 9/18/2016, The Tired Flower…

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Summer for 2016 will be at its end soon, with a little of the season to show…

Yet, that flower is much like me, a little tired and in need of great rest. While much of it has been productive providing a place for bees or whatever to deal with, there has been much endured over the unusual yet varied temperatures of the summer, ranging from sudden rainstorms to the oncoming wind. There was the sunshine, but not as much as one could hope for. The garden around was a bit crowded, as the flower constantly had much to do. The Fall is coming, and then adaptation will be needed, from the roots to the very top of its next born stem. Perhaps, next year will be a livelier summer.

Meanwhile, here are some friends made. There is a little summer left in them too..

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– Orion T

Picture of Today 7/13/16, Little Strange World..

A snippet of the little world around us, with much of that similar to ours. We see interesting things under construction. The workers around them play a small part, as they provide for their community, families and themselves…so I would think through observance. Soon growth will develop, and such will be noticed by the world around them in admiration. The workers I suppose will benefit, but for how long? I think as the process repeats, they and new generations could be there to partake in and around new constructions. That could be enough to live by. Such, is another cycle of life. 

– Orion T

I captured this pic at a small garden in front of the Seattle Space Needle landmark. It’s wonderful to see a small sight under a big sight, to be just as grand.

Picture of Today 5/8/16, Mother’s Day in Seattle

There goes the day, mostly gray..

What matters is what one does with the time involved. For me, contacting loved moms I know, wishing them the most of this wonderful day. Also, getting much motherly advice in return for my sickness recovery (yes, yes I’ll get vitamins and soup, but it’s too warm to bundle up). 

So, Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there from here in Seattle. I dedicate the above today pic (and bonus below) to all of yous…

– Orion T

Pictures of Today 3/20/15, Hello Spring..

Today is almost done, and what a day it was!

Tis the first day of Spring, and very wet. In the Seattle and surrounding areas, there was light on/off rain. Very pleasant to walk through, especially throughout my paths. Here below, are some moments with notes..

Within a downtown park by the Washington Convention Center, a favorite little tree stands. Here, the petals seem very relaxed in the rain.

And the petals, I think enjoy this rain as much as I. Let em drop..

Much later, I journeyed far to the city of Redmond for a short research gig at Microsoft’s main headquarters. A nice busy place, but what got my attention for the longest was this little bird outside. That was a very chirpy fellow, but also not letting me too close for the more detailed shot.

And then, after a long walk and briefly ending up lost. I found myself in a parking lot of scattered sakura blossom petals. There is seriously a lot to take in, and a little dangerous. More on this, tomorrow..

Finally, back in Downtown Seattle. Here is another pretty tree in the rain.

Up close and personal..

Later, I took a pit stop at the Kobe Terrace Park at the International District. When last here, there was little on the ground. I said I would be back to see them fallen, in an earlier post last weekend. Now…

More on this tomorrow, or the next day..or whenever I get around to it. But soon, I promise.

Pictures of Today 2/14/15, Bloom Together

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Noticing more colorful blooms this later Winter season. This time, a little hidden by some bushes on a street divider at Denny and 4th. You can notice them easy on a sunny day like today, as the blue skies mingled with big fluffy clouds here in Seattle. Hopefully nobody stomps on these little ones while crossing, as I would love to see these continue. I will be checking as the Spring season nears much closer..

If reading this today on 2/14, then Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Picture of Today 2/10/15, Can’t wait for Spring..

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I admire the early blooms of this winter now. These are reminders of changes, and how every month has signs of the next ahead. The weather lately is a little less chill as the days go by, and a bit more relaxed..for now. The rains pass by with light long pours, usually in the night with just enough to leave the ground soaked for a day or two. I see a lot of mud, and reflections of the grey skies above.

Meanwhile, some plants in various gardens around the city are presenting their first blooms of 2015. I have been told that some of the great cherry trees of the Northwest are showing signs of early Spring. These natural presentations are great, as I have been a bit too comfortable with these short days of grey. Perhaps, the time for early change in this season, is a sign that I must bloom early as well. I have set multiple goals for myself, of which I hope to have active by this Spring. Much like these new blooms, I can not wait.

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Pictures of Today 11/29/14.. of Snowy Awakenings.

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As I expected the usual to follow, I slept a longer on the night before. In the morning, I rested in bed for an hour longer; using my layers of blankets as a turtle shell. I procrastinate even further, prolonging my morning intake of granola and hot apple cider. My apartment window gives little clue to the world outside, as it faces too close to an emotionless brick wall. I suspected nothing, but a normal day. I wait, with holding onto my unexpectations.

Yet eventually, I would go for the great morning walk. And then, surprise… snow and cold winds overwhelm my senses as I leave the building entrance. And suddenly, there was laughter in the distance of children running in the distance. The bluest of skies, missed from the days of conquering greys. I see these remnants of a snowy wonderland, with the city gardenscapes and roofs of unmoved vehicles saving the last largest clusters of snowfall. I felt bewildered, and unadjusting to this sudden drop in temperature. I ask to the neighbor standing aside, puffing on a cigarette, “how long and how much did I miss this?!”

“All night, and some this morning..”

Heh, was all I thought. Not so much the disappoint as I rarely see snow; but I feel a sort of sureness of what world I would wake up to. The morning was almost gone, and snowfall clearly ended. But thankfully, there was much of it still around for me to take a very long and worthwhile walk.

The color of leaves and sudden rush of sunlight brought uniqueness to this morning. The snow was just enough for nature to peek through in places, bringing the a heightened ambiance and surreality to what I find otherwise usual and expected; yet peaceful and adaptive.

So, I am happy to catch this time and place..perhaps the most important potentially missed should I have stayed inside further on. Here are some moments to pass on, in thanks to this world for waiting up..

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