Green-wood Cemetery

Green-wood, Go


I haven't gone back to Green-wood Cemetery since last Sunday, but I drove by it twice today. I think you must go. Right now, probably due to the long stretch of cool, sunny days, several things are in bloom at once and the trees are still leafing out. Have you seen the electrical brilliance of azaleas along side the chartreuse and burgundy of trees just leafing out? If you haven't, go. Now.

You will also see magnolias, dogwoods, and cherries in bloom. At. The. Same. Time. If I didn't have to work tomorrow, you'd see me there too.


Greenwood Brief



The cherries and dogwoods are in bloom. If I had to choose between the two, I think I would go dogwood. I would have, should have, taken more pictures on our brief visit, but then it was just for a quick lunch on the way to the studio. Go yourself, the trees in flower are worth every bit.

"Garfinkel" appears to be alive and well. Maybe you'll see him.


This guy seems exasperated with his own boredom. Sigh.


I noticed that these trees, methinks horse chestnuts (?), and several others along 37th Street are dead. 

Now, I should go back for an extended visit, maybe with a new camera in hand if I can make myself get off the fence. Someone, please, push.



Doing Today



What I probably won't have time for tomorrow. And the weather, you know, gets you looking for garden projects. I wanted to lay new wood chips down the paths before the season begins in earnest, so I headed to Greenwood to grab six full garbage bags worth. I shoveled to the music of bagpipes, the chatter of parrots, and the dull clanging of Greenwood's bell.


I cannot tell you how odd it is to find bright green feathers on the ground after 40 years of never seeing anything near that color in a bird feather. Occasionally, I hear the parrots chastising birds in the trees on my street, at least a mile from their cemetery perch. Their chatter is not particularly pleasant, I even think I prefer crows' caw to it.

Although I was close to the tower gate where many of the parrots live, the sound was louder than it should have been. I located new nests on this substation across the street. Take a close look -their brown, twig nests are near the platform.

At the beach farm, I worked alone, except for the helicopter in the distance and a constant parade of trucks. There was a large tent near the abandoned building, so clearly something was going on, but I left it alone.

I had weeding to do, and chips to spread. I spread pelletized lime and raked it in (recent soil test indicated a lower than ought-to-be pH), realizing how well garlic at this stage takes to the rake. I turned the tomato beds, raking them smooth, then planted a large handful of mesclun mix and other spring greens in one and snap peas in another. Cold still on the way? Who could care at this point? Although I did hold off on the head lettuce and fennel.

Allium sativum ophioscorodon var. Turban 'Thai Purple'


Wind And Woodchips



Watch the winds today, from the SE I believe, as I think they're already gusting. I'm off to Greenwood Cemetery to pick up three or four trash bags full of woodchips. I hope they let me in early, to get it done before the rain. Then off to the studio for some work, and with inspiration, progress. It's a shame there is often much work but little progress.


Green-wood Cemetery



street sign               cicada moult

This Sunday I spent the earlier half of daylight hours, in a post Holloween party night daze, walking through Green-wood Cemetery. As I strolled through the early-mid 19th century grounds for picnicking with the dead, I thought how peaceful it is in this park. It really is my favorite park and really is peaceful. But watch out, cars sometimes wrap corners pretty fast and silently as drivers aren't expecting walkers. Green-wood, noted so much for its famous dead and buried, brownstone Gothic arch, and parrots, has a nice selection of tree and shrub specimens. This photo is of a hydrangea I noticed while walking along. I have my favorite hydrangeas, and this isn't one of them, but it is amazing how pleasing this shrub can be in summer and then turn to match autumnal color. Pretty spectacular.

Hydrangea Flowers

As I neared the archway, I gazed upon hundreds of people about to take a tour of some kind and I became glad I was leaving as they were coming. That's just the thing about telling people about your favorite places -you don't want everyone to go. Whats that old saying, "Nobody goes there anymore, its too crowded." I'd say the stigma of death and the soccer obstacles we call headstones will keep it mostly quiet.