my name is Winter, said the pale magenta rose

On a perfectly ordinary day, I found this rose, said the mysterious Princess Haiku. Perhaps it wasn't.

Sheldon's Garden

North County Garden Tour

When I left my house for the Garden Tour this morning, fog gradually gave way to a mother of pearl underlay. White clouds floated against a crushed blue flower palette of sky. In other words, it was a perfect day for garden viewing.

I was fortunate to get a great shot of a forty year old tortoise named, Sheldon, who meanders about his garden. The pictures in this post are all of Sheldon's very Japanese influenced garden. He is one lucky tortoise to live in such a beautiful place. He snoozed in the sunshine while I snapped away. Isn't that his job?

This charming garden is located in the historic district of a small town in Sonoma County and belongs to a house built before 1925. "The new landscaped berms are planted with roses, lavender, hellebores, Japanese maples and a vast assortment of perennials." I hope that my photos give you a feeling of this little paradise. The garden is surrounded by tall evergreens and redwoods and was designed with an eye for the "borrowed view" belonging to Japanese garden aesthetics.

roses awaiting midsummer eve

My new little digital camera works I am happy to report, said Princess Haiku. More flowers to follow.