Saturday, March 31, 2012

Cape Photo of the Day - Photo #31


To finish out my first month of Cape Photos of the Day, I'm returning to the Goshen Farm. Everyone in the Cape should know and care about this property. Few tangible markers of the Cape's history remain to us today. We have the guard house and the headstones on Swan Drive. And we have this lovely old homestead that is really the only place in the Cape where you can get a sense of how it might have felt to live on this peninsula before paved roads - heck before cars, electricity, supermarkets, the Civil War, the birth of our nation, public water (oh yeah, we still don't have public water...).

Today is a wonderful opportunity to visit the farm and check out the new Sharing Garden. An open house will be held from 10 - 2. Stop by, take the walking tour of the property, hear about the exciting new Sharing Garden, and soak up the history of the place. Details can be found at the Goshen Farm website. Come take a step back in time.


Friday, March 30, 2012

Cape Photo of the Day - Photo #30


If you haven't had the opportunity to visit the Goshen Farm, this weekend is a terrific opportunity. The Goshen Farm Preservation Society will be holding a "Garden Shower" on Saturday from 10 - 2 to celebrate the opening of the Goshen Farm Sharing Garden. Land has been cleared on the grounds of the old homestead to create a community garden. Plots are rented in 10 X 10 or 5 X 20 foot parcels, and gardeners can plant and grow to their heart's content.

It's really a beautiful spot. You get the sense of being on a hidden plateau perched above the Cape. This picture doesn't do a bit to show that. I just happened to take it when I was up there a couple of weeks ago browsing for my own plots. I was ambitious and requested two of them. After spring break, I have to put some backbone into my ambition and get my garden planted.

If you are free tomorrow, stop by, have a look around, and join in the fun. This group has taken on the really meaningful task of preserving a piece of Cape history. It is a true labor of love on their part, and they would love to involve as many Capers as possible in the restoration of this special property. This weekend is a great chance to check things out and get on board.

Even if you aren't interested in gardening, come visit the site and see what's happening. The Goshen Farm Preservation Society has a broad range of activities to interest anyone. It's a great walking destination from anywhere in the Cape and an absolute gem.

Here is a link to the Goshen Farm website. It in turn has a link to the Sharing Garden information. There is also a Sharing Garden blog that has information specific to happenings associated with the garden.  You can also visit the Facebook pages for both the Goshen Farm Preservation Society and the Goshen Farm Sharing Garden. They have better and more updated pictures of the garden.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Cape Photo of the Day - Photo #29


My VERY last camellia of the season. The bush has been blooming away since January, and as we near the end of March, this is the last but not least of its bounty. I planted this camellia back in the spring of 2009, and that winter in December, we got a record breaking snowfall that also broke several of the branches off my baby camellia. I propped it up for the remainder of the winter, and it has gradually recovered. It bloomed pretty nicely last winter, but this year, it knocked itself out. You can see one of the spent flowers in the background.

I'm clearly on a flower kick with my camera. It's a sure giveaway of my amateur status as a photographer. They are easy subjects, but they will be gone soon enough, and I will have to get more creative with my shot choices.

One more early wakeup before spring break!

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Cape Photo of the Day - Photo #28


Get a load of this cherry tree loaded with blossoms. The Cape is bursting with them. This one appealed for its pure symmetry and the way it sits so gracefully on  this green slope. Take a look around. They will be on to the business of leafing out and photosynthesis soon and will have no more time for this frivolous, showy display.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Cape Photo of the Day - Photo #27


God bless the folks who clean up and plant the beds down at the shopping center year in and year out. We are treated every spring to a beautiful display of their handiwork. The vibrant red tulips brightened my day. The crape myrtles only have their smooth, mottled bark to show at this point, but in a few months, they will be the belles of the ball with the tulips bright spring showing just a flash in the pan.

Monday, March 26, 2012

Cape Photo of the Day - Photo #26


I spied this lovely cat sitting by a grape trellis of sorts on River Bay a few weeks ago. I thought the brown Siamese fur was nice against the brown of the dormant grapes. This cat has a very nice yard to prowl.

Our cats have always been indoor cats, but I think the Cape would be a wonderful place to be an outdoor cat. We have a black and white one that frequents our yard, and I always feel just a little bit guilty when I see our Dinky watching him out the window. Of course, if she were out there, he would probably send her to the vet with gashes and tears. Maybe one day when my daughter is out of the house and Dinky no longer has her soulmate, I will let her have a taste of the great outdoors (and worry myself silly until she comes back inside!).

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Cape Photo of the Day - Photo #25


Another foggy morning shot from last week. I didn't get out with my camera today, so I'm offering up this one. Hope everyone had a nice weekend.