Lewis Ginter Gardens in Richmond

Cherry blossoms in bloom at Lewis GInter in Richmond, Virginia, do my soul good. Additionally, heavenly-scented hyacinths are blooming in the splendid conservatory, alongside tulips, clivia, orchids, and bougainvillea. 

The charming thatched roof cottage has numerous fairy houses inside. 

These pictures were taken late March, at a time when the state of Virginia has just about threatened to throw in the towel because of Spring's slow arrival. 

Flowers, BLOOM!

Your imaginary gardener,

Patsie

The Theme Du Jour: My Seashells

The Conch, 8 x 10", Oil

Chambered Nautilus, 16 x 16", Oil, Sold

Chambered Nautilus, IV, 5 x 7", Oil, Sold

Chambered Nautilus, III, 5 x 7", Oil, Sold

Jewels of the Sea, 10 x 10", Oil

The State Department Diplomatic Reception Rooms

My personal favorite was the Thomas Jefferson room, where I am pictured below. Many of his personal artifacts are on exhibit. Tours are available by booking online and are free. Plan on making reservations months in advance. 

Winston Churchill: Painting as a Pastime

Dear Imaginary Friends,

Winston Churchill, who surely needs no introduction, wrote a wonderful little book called "Painting as a Pastime," in which he extols the virtues of oil painting. He and I are on the same page!

The book, published in 1932, is a love letter to painting. It also features several color plates of his work. 

Some of my favorite quotes: 

"I must say that I like bright colours. ...I rejoice with the brilliant ones, and am genuinely sorry for the poor browns."

"Painting is complete as a distraction. I know of nothing which, without exhausting the body, more entirely absorbs the mind. Whatever the worries of the hour or the threats of the future, once the picture has begun to flow along, there is no room for them on the mental screen. They pass out into shadow and darkness... Time stands respectfully aside."

All paintings shown are copyright, Winston Churchill. 

Kid Victory at Signature

Dear Imaginary Friends.

Kid Victory, now playing at Signature Theater, is an odd combination of disparate elements. 

First, it is a musical. But it is a musical about a pedophile who kidnaps, rapes and beats an underage teenage boy. 

Yes, it is a musical. 

It tackles the themes of faith, homosexuality, anonymous sexual dating sites, Vikings, lawns ( yes, I said lawns), and families dealing with teenage angst. 

I personally felt very uncomfortable watching the pedophile kidnapper singing about his "love" for his victim. 

One has a hard time not squirming with mortification. Yet, there are some positives. The actors all deliver stellar performances, especially the main character, who totally nails teenage boy angst. His face is a map of his thoughts. 

Signature Theater in Arlington loves to explore the occasional edgy theme, but perhaps there is a limit of good taste, that would be welcome. 

Please, no more musicals about sexual predators. 

Your imaginary theater critic,

Patsie

The Blue Rooster

Dear Imaginary Friends,

Have you ever wanted to buy a Blue Rooster that never needed to be fed? 

Well, here you are: a bona fide 

 blue rooster, housebroken, available for adoption. 

Copyright 2015, Patricia Uchello

C'a d'Azan

Nestled on the waterfront of Sarasota, Florida, is the magnificent home of John Ringling: the C'a d'Azan. Mr. Ringling and his wife Mabel adored Italy and Venice in particular. The architecture and furnishings both reflect their taste. 

Mr. Ringling was the thirteenth richest man in the world. He and Mabel had an extensive art collection, which they left to the state of Florida.