Diligence is a good thing, but taking things easy is much more restful.
- Mark Twain
I am opposed to millionaires, but it would be dangerous to offer me the position.
- Mark Twain
Friday, April 23, 2010
Huntington Gardens, after the rain
Diligence is a good thing, but taking things easy is much more restful.
- Mark Twain
I am opposed to millionaires, but it would be dangerous to offer me the position.
- Mark Twain
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31 comments:
You go home one evening tired from work,
and your mother boils you turtle soup.
Twelve hours hunched over the hearth
(who knows what else is in that cauldron).
You say, “Ma, you’ve poached the symbol of long life;
that turtle lived four thousand years, swam
the Wei, up the Yellow, over the Yangtze.
Witnessed the Bronze Age, the High Tang,
grazed on splendid sericulture.”
(So, she boils the life out of him.)
”All our ancestors have been fools.
Remember Uncle Wu who rode ten thousand miles
to kill a famous Manchu and ended up
with his head on a pole? Eat, child,
its liver will make you strong.”
”Sometimes you’re the life, sometimes the sacrifice.”
Her sobbing is inconsolable.
So, you spread that gentle napkin
over your lap in decorous Pasadena.
Baby, some high priestess has got it wrong.
The golden decal on the green underbelly
says “Made in Hong Kong.”
Is there nothing left but the shell
and humanity’s strange inscriptions,
the songs, the rites, the oracles?
by Marylin Chin
Oh my twice. First to the gorgeous post, then to the gorgeous poem as comment--
Pierre, you always bring something special to the table.
Dez, don't stop there. Click on Pierre. His drawings are exquisite.
I think the mallard is my favorite, but the big dog with little human seems like an interesting statement.
Giant turtles at the Huntington? Okay, well they look giant...
It's an amazing place and even more so after a fresh splash of naturally falling water.
The close-up of the turtle makes it look huge and very prehistoric. And it allowed you to get that close?
I'm amused you've had rain in Pasadena while it hasn't rained in London for three weeks. It's been the longest spell of sunny weather for ages, but now the planes are back the contrails bunch together as the day wears on so that the sky is a hazy white by mid-afternoon.
He was giant, well, about 16 inches from stem to stern. And yes, I must be the turtle whisperer, because he let me get right in his face. I had no idea they nostrils like that -- looks like an anteater.
Could be one of the original turtles from Huntington's day when he stocked the pond with some rare ones.
I wanted to ask about the turtle, too. He looks soft-shelled, not like the hardened shelled desert tortoises we have. Where in the gardens are the turtles? I have been there a dozen times but just blanked out the turtles. Too busy looking at the roses, I assume. Excellent, Karin, and Pierre, lovely post!
That shock of pink in the first photo is fabulous!!! And I do love the closeup of the turtle...he's quite the handsome turtle...but I have to ask...Could that possibly be a sculpture replica of Petrea's Boz in the last one???
Sixteen inches? That's quite a turtle!
THis is making me anxious to see it all for myself. Nice photos, KB. I like that stone chien too!
V
So did you measure or did he just tell you he was 16"?
I've heard that before.
( Blame Earl, he goaded me into saying it)
V
Virg: I just have to say it; you are a real experienced!
My wonder is still the rain.
Anon: You might want to reword that a little.
WV: sylly
Remarkable.
I see your point; I was probably to focused on the turtles.....I should have looked to the right!
Sorry!
Lordie, now you SoCals have turned the poor turtles into porn objects. Shocking. Where's my fan?
Banjo,
SoCals, SoAls, we're all the same aren't we? I'll try and prove that very very soon! :)
Banjo, things went south, as in South Pas and South Alabama. Those two are a little giddy lately.
Brenda, I don't know what kind of turtle, but it is a fresh water turtle and not a desert tourtoise.
I will be on steroids as of tomorrow for the poison ivy. GIrl you don't even know "giddy"! Watch out!
V
Virg on steroids? Oy vey. I'm going into hiding.
Your description of spring and the Huntington cactus garden got me over there to renew my membership. While strolling the cactus garden, I discovered that they have a few "Tower of Jewel" Echium going (related to Pride of Medeira). I first saw this plant in Yucca Valley. When it goes to seed I hope I'm around to gather a few.
Beautiful photos. You chose the water lovers for this series..maybe even a bird dog?
btw: I missed the South Central Jazz display. I could kick myself. The guard was kind enough to go into a back room and get me a brochure.
oops
make that "Central Avenue and Beyond" The Harlem Renaissance in Los Angeles
I think it's a Chinese snapping turtle, so you were lucky he liked you. The nose reminds me of Lord Voldemort.
I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying that I approved of it.
Mark Twain
PA, I'm going to have to track that down. I tried to grow one once, and either the dogs or the gardener pulled it out just as it was ready to bloom.
Bellis, I don't know how you knew that, but I think you're right.
Ah, Linda. Doesn't get better than that.
Love the quotes. I'm a quote collector, as you know. That's a very strange looking turtle. Turtles I've known & loved (I exaggerate, just a tad) didn't have long faces or nostrils like that.
I like the dog sculpture too. It looks like a lovely day, all 'round.
My very favorite thing is the dog's buckled collar. I guess I really am an accessory girl.
Looking at these does make me want to take things easy, Hiker.
Lovely...
Great post & excellent photography!
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