Friday, 11/05/21, was a chilly, dreary, rainy day and so we mostly stayed in. Deeny had a lab test in the morning and went off to that, but returned shortly. After that, we talked and talked and shared information and things with each other. In mid-afternoon Christine took Deeny clothes shopping. They returned before dinner with a couple of new tops and a pair of pants for Deeny and fixings for a baked shrimp dish that I was making for dinner. After dinner we watched an episode of Vera. I helped Deeny get Acorn TV installed on her TV and we’re practicing accessing the shows on Acorn and then getting back to regular TV.
Saturday started out kind of gloomy, but did turn into a lovely day, albeit very breezy and somewhat chilly. But it was a great day for a trip to Marie Selby Botanical Garden. We’ve been several times, both with my father and Shirley, and with Deeny. It is a favorite activity and no matter how many times we go, there are many, many wonderful things to see. And readers of this blog know how much Christine and I love gardens. So get prepared for way too many photos.
There was an orchid show going on in the conservatory; however, I didn’t think there were as many showy orchids as in past visits. Deeny thought that possibly the show was showcasing more exotic, little known orchids, and there were certainly orchids I have never seen before. But who doesn’t like orchids, no matter the variety. I’m going to try my hand with orchids. Our friends gave us some orchids for our anniversary last February, and after enjoying the beautiful blooms, I apparently killed the plants. Deeny has been sharing her knowledge of orchid care with me, including giving me a book, so our visit to Selby has stirred an increased interest in orchids.
Cricket or spider orchids 
Purple Guaria 
Blue orchid 
Purple Guaria 
Some type of Cattleya orchid 
Spider orchid
The lady slipper orchids are especially interesting and beautiful.
Lady slipper orchid 
Another lady’s-slipper orchid
Here are a couple of photos of the weirdest orchids we saw.
Wispy umbrella orchid (really weird!) 
Batflower (another weird one)
There was also quite a collection of carnivorous plants, those that eat insects and even, surprisingly, mice. One reason for the largest pitcher plants to eat mice and other small rodents, we learned, is because they need the minerals coming from the bones.
A type of pitcher plant 
Another type of pitcher plant
In addition to beautiful orchids, there are vast numbers of bromeliads, and ferns, and palms. Everywhere one looks throughout the 15-acre garden is something beautiful and/or interesting.
Bromeliad 
Bromeliad 
Giant dioon (gum palm) 
Garden statue 
Stepladder ginger 
Yellow bells
I am a touchy visitor to gardens. I like to touch plants, leaves, bark, etc. I am fascinated by patterns and textures, so I don’t need to always be wowed by flowers. I can enjoy all parts of a plant and want to know more about how a plant “works.” I somehow became aware of an app that I downloaded called LeafSnap. Now you’ll notice that most of these photos contain both genus and/or common names because I upload a photo of a plant (leaf, flower, fruit or bark) and the app will identify the plant for me and provide a nice description of the plant and send me to other sources of information.
Here are some texture and pattern photos.
Monstera – Swiss cheese plant 
Calathea – Zebras back 
Prayer plant 
Monkey puzzle tree 
Silver pothos 
Bark of the Brazilian ironwood tree
There’s a wonderful koi pond. These koi are huge! But it is a very peaceful place to sit, listen to the waterfall, and enjoy the surroundings.
Deeny 
Christine playing garden chimes 
Deeny and Christine – it was chilly today
We had a nice lunch in the cafe at the garden and then Christine bought Deeny an orchid on the way out through the garden shop. I saw the orchid below and wished I could have purchased it and taken it home. I really found it to be a delicate, exquisite orchid.
It was a great visit to Selby Garden!
We then went into Venice to wander around the very large art show going on down the main thoroughfare of Venice. There were so many booths set up displaying everything from paintings to pottery to jewelry to crafts to wood carvings. I’m glad the weather turned fine for the art show. There were lots and lots of people attending this outdoor event.
We rested back home for a bit and then went back into Venice for dinner at the Thai Bistro. We had a great dinner. Back home we watched a few episodes of Doc Martin on Acorn TV. We all enjoy Doc Martin. Deeny popped us popcorn, so it was like we were at the movies.
So, another wonderful day with Deeny doing the things that we love to do with Deeny.
What a lovely day