I live in such a beautiful city. Lakeland has a lovely park around every corner (almost, anyway). We are very proud of our formal garden, called Hollis Gardens. The late Mark Hollis and his wife, Lynn, donated money to the city to build the garden and then endowed it. Back in 2007, I took some photos while touring it with my very first blogging friend, Genny O.
Joe and I met Genny, her sister and her parents when we were in Italy, back in 2007. It is such a small world. They are from the Philadelphia area and know some of the same people Joe knew and of course they were all familiar with many of the same places there too. Genny is a great photographer and she had a really good camera. It was fun to watch her 'working'.
When we got back to the USA, Genny had told me about blogging on Yahoo360 and suggested we could stay in touch that way, which we did. She is the one who got me started blogging. When Yahoo closed, we moved to Multiply. When Multiply went down, I moved to Blogger and Genny lost interest (I think). We are still in touch now and then by email and on Facebook. She is the director of a homeless shelter in the Philly area and I know recently lost her dad and is helping with her ailing mother.
Joe and I visited with them in Philly, and Genny came down here for a week a few years ago. It was so great to make such a good friend while on tour in another country. Never would have expected it. While Genny was here, I was able to arrange a visit for her in one of our homeless shelters. She was impressed with the community support. We also spent one day at Busch Gardens, and toured around Lakeland.
Dinner with our tour group, in Venice. Joe is sitting next to Genny's sister and her dad is next. I'm sitting next to Genny and then her mom.
Genny photographing the Bridge of Sighs.
Genny photographing in the Hollis Gardens. The next photos are mine, in the Gardens.
We have a wonderful Albert Paley sculpture in our Gardens. It is a tribute to volunteerism.
More wonderful sculptures in the Gardens, these by J. Seward Johnson.
Here are a lot of professional photos of Hollis Garden, from the internet.
It is so pretty. A lovely wedding spot.
HOLLIS GARDEN
Here are a lot of professional photos of Hollis Garden, from the internet.
It is so pretty. A lovely wedding spot.
HOLLIS GARDEN
That is my throwback post from 2007. Not so long ago, but Italy feels like a lifetime has gone by since we were there. Thanks for your visit today! Peace & hugs.
Oh my, you do live in such a beautiful city. What a sweet blessing to make a special Friend in such an unexpected way. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSounds so pretty. I was at a plantation this past weekend in Charleston and it is similar to these gardens. I tend to not take pictures so I won't have any to share. I pretty much enjoy the time there without having to worry about picture taking. Then I regret it.
ReplyDeleteThe Gardens look very pretty. Very neat that you met your friend in Italy and kept in touch. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos Terri. Thanks for sharing. Blessings
ReplyDeleteThe Albert Paley sculpture reminds me of some of the works that I saw in the Pyramid Sculpure Park her in Ohio. It is a small world, isn't it. I've met people I've known in very strange places. Thanks for sharing your story about Genny and her family. She sounds like a lovely person, and I'm sure they all miss the dad.
ReplyDeleteSpecial times, and special friends. The pictures are all so beautiful and thank you for sharing your friends as well as the pictures.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful memory to look back at. It's great that you got to meet with Genny and her family. The gardens are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to really connect with someone in another country and then be able to continue the friendship here in the states. There have been many we have met on our travels, but they all live so far away. The pics are really pretty. I especially like the close up of the magnolia and the last two sculptures.
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