Thursday, April 7, 2016

TToT: Tulip Time


It is Tulip Time in Topeka.  Years ago a man who lived out in the county came up with a unique idea for a fundraiser.  He would plant hundreds--thousands maybe--of tulip bulbs, charge people to stroll across his pretty property in the spring, and use the proceeds for beautification projects throughout Topeka.  A few years ago the man was no longer able to keep up with the physical labor such an undertaking entails.  The city, recognizing how popular the event had grown, took up the spirit of the event filling public spaces around town with an abundance of tulip bulbs. Now is the time the city is in full bloom--Tulip Time.

I am thankful that Gerald Binkley had this vision years ago.


For all the people who plant gardens for others to share.


For my friend Terry who happens to be the Parks Director of Topeka who helps provide serene spots for Topekans to linger.

For the smell of blossoms in my yard right now.  The apple blossoms smell especially sweet this year;I'm hoping that sweetness translates to the apples.






I am thankful that my husband has embraced the idea of fly fishing whole heartedly. I gave him equipment for Christmas hoping he would enjoy it. After a winter of practicing his casting in the school gym and the driveway,we are now trying out some nearby fishing spots for more realistic practice.  I take my camera and while he fishes I wander around snapping photos.  The experience helps us both relax, get some exercise and soak up some Vitamin D. A bonus of the empty nest lifestyle.

In a strange way, I am glad that Picmonkey photo editor has been on the fritz.  It caused me to try BeFunky to edit the photos for this post, and I had fun experimenting.







  

22 comments:

  1. Well I do so love tulips, but you know...allergies. Ugh. Fly fishing, eh? I find that whole idea fascinating. It just seems so calm, so pastoral, you know? Does your husband tie flies, also? Because that's an art all unto itself, isn't it?
    Thanks for the PicMonkey/BeFunky tip. I don't do very much with my photos, but I'm trying to branch out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My husband mentioned he was interested in trying fly fishing after we watched A River Runs Through It again last year. It does look so serene. Turns out it is very scientific. Lots of physics involved. A good match for his engineering brain, but I think I will be writing on a blanket by the river!

      Delete
    2. Sounds like a grand way to spend an afternoon...
      By the way, I love your header photo! So funny!

      Delete
    3. Took that picture a year ago last Christmas when visiting our son in Salzburg, Austria. Only one of many places my kids have taken me that were never on my bucket list, but absolutely should have been.

      Delete
  2. Spring started to bloom here, but there have been cold winter winds and even a flake or two which affects the way I look at cherry blossoms and blooming pear trees. I'm glad your hub is enjoying a hobby in his free time. I am awaiting the day when my hub is free from the demands of his business and I am free from the bookkeeping end so we can enjoy some quality time together.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It has been a little reluctant to move whole heartedly into spring this year. Things seem to go along nicely for a few days and then a blustery day comes along in protest.
      Having your own business is so constant, isn't it? I see it with my sister's farm. Here's hoping you two find some quality down time soon.

      Delete
  3. tulips1 (not so much a fan of our photosynthetic brethren, but) i do admire tulips...I just keep forgetting to plant them, in like what, the Fall?
    fly fishing certainly appears to have some secondary skill development that must augment the satisfaction that comes with capturing the fish

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yup, fall planting. No last minute decisions with the tulip crowd.
      I think fly fishing is the thinking man's dinner procurement from what I have seen so far.

      Delete
  4. Heheh I've gotten so comfortable with PicMonkey, I'm skeert to try out other places!

    HOORAY for going out and having handily linear interests and getting vitamin D together in the sunshine. BIGGER hooray (and many hopes) for your apple trees bearing beautiful fruit later this year.

    And I can't tell you how much I love the idea of a tulip town, and beautification projects. It's the kind of story I'd love to see shared somewhere like 1000Speak *drops large hint and crosses fingers*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, my subtle friend! I may just have to write it up because my daughter was saying before reading this post that she recalled walking through a garden together as a family when she was a child but couldn't place where or when. It was the original Tulip Time gardens. I write to make sure my kids have a place to go that will stir old memories.

      Delete
  5. Ah, tulip time.
    :-)
    Love that so much. Being out in nature, fishing, provides a lot of relief from the stresses of every day life.
    Those apple blossoms sound divine. Hope for apples apples apples from just such blossoms in the autumn season to come too. My favourite thing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love anything grown in my yard or a friend's yard. The freshness can not be topped!

      Delete
  6. I adore Tulips! They might be my favorite flower <3 There is a small town in Iowa that has a Tulip Festival, same general idea, I never had the opportunity to go when I lived in Iowa but always wanted to.
    Your photos are gorgeous! You are a talented photographer and photo editor!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. The thing I love about photography is that it encourages me to go out looking for what is beautiful.

      Delete
  7. Ah, that story about Topeka tulips is wonderful. I love hearing stories about people doing such nice things. Thank you for sharing that.
    Somehow, I have managed to have a tulip free yard. I never remember to plant them in the fall.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have some really bright and cheerful ones in my yard this year. I just asked my husband if he even remembers us planting them last fall. He said only vaguely. Usually at this time we are bemoaning the fact that we forgot to plant bulbs! I must do better on auto-pilot because there they are!

      Delete
  8. the tulips story sounds amazing and fun - wonderful list - getting out in nature, fishing and snapping pictures - just the other day i mentioned to my family that in the fall we need to plant bulbs so that we can benefit in the early spring pretty flowers tulips and daffodils too. have a wonderful week ahead.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hope you get those bulbs in the ground this fall. It is such a treat when they finally pop up.

      Delete
  9. I love tulips! Mine finally shattered this weekend with the dreadful wind we had.
    Did you upgrade to Royale on Picmonkey? I want to, but I'm afraid I would waste a LOT of time playing with it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did. I had Royale for probably 8 months or so. I used it all the time. I can't figure out if it is having problems or if the latest mac update just doesn't play well with others. Either way it wasn't doing me any good so I cancelled.

      Delete
  10. I love tulips but haven't had much luck getting them to bloom again after planting. Must not be cool enough here. And love your geese. How fun to get some pics with babies. Maybe you will see some later this spring.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Tulips and spring are the best. Thanks for stopping by.

    ReplyDelete

Penny for your thoughts.