Month: October 2012

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    Longwood Gardens at Night

    Thursday Afternoon and Evening, September 27

    Part 4

     

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    While we were eating supper, Inge (a cat lover) quickly went outside when she noticed one of Longwood's eleven cats outside the dining room.

     

     

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    Inge was delighted to see Belin, her favorite Longwood Garden's feline, as we approached Peirce-du Pont House, the oldest building at Longwood Gardens,

     

     

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    Belin was Mrs. du Pont's maiden name.

    The cats main job is "Rodent Patrol."

     

     

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    Then began our nighttime walk to the Forest of Light.

     

     

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    If I remember correctly there were 20,000 lights in this area.

     

     

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    The lights were continually changing color.

     

     

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    In the meadow there were sixty-nine structures built out of one-liter recyclable plastic bottles filled with water, laser-cut wood fiber optics connected to an LED projector and sound system.

     

     

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    We saw many more beautiful sights as we walked back toward the Conservatory.

     

     

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    Arrow Spring is a 300-foot serpentine trail filled with sage that resembles a flowing watercourse by day and a meandering stream of 15,000 lights by night.

     

     

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    The waterfall light show outside the Conservatory was fabulous. However we were not permitted to use the flash on our cameras, so I was not able to capture its true beauty.

     

     

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    Back inside the Conservatory, I captured a few more lights, flowers, and fountains.

     

     

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    After leaving through the Visitors Center, we were greeted by these beautiful lights that were continually changing color.

     

     

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    It was indeed an afternoon and evening that was a delight to my eyes.

     

     

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    Aim at and Pursue

    righteousness (right standing with God and true goodness), godliness (which is the loving fear of God and being Christlike), faith, love, steadfastness (patience), and gentleness of heart.

    1 Timothy 6:11 (Amplified Bible)

     

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    Part 3 - Longwood Gardens

    Thursday Afternoon and Evening, September 27

     

    ~~~

     Longwood Gardens, located at Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, is renowned for magnificent gardens featuring 14,000 varieties of plants.

    A Quaker family named Peirce purchased the land from William Penn in 1700 and planted ornamental trees. By the mid-19th century, this park had become one of America's choicest aboretums.

    Pierre S. duPont (1870-1954) bought the property in 1906 and, in addition to heading both DuPont and General Motors, set about to create magnificent formal gardens and fountains that would rival the splendor of Versailles.

    ~~~

     

    More pictures from inside the Conservatory

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    Light Shower

     

     

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    Enjoy the beauty.

     

     

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    A beautiful crystal chandelier in Exhibition Hall - also part of the Conservatory.

     

     

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    A change of camera settings changed the appearance of the chandelier.

     

     

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    The main occupant of the ballroom in Exhibition Hall is the Longwood Organ, the largest Aeolian organ ever constructed in a residential setting. 

     The organ was built in 1930 by the Aeolian Company, and the pipes are housed in a chamber 63 feet wide, 23 feet deep, and 40 feet high which runs parallel to the ballroom. 

     

     

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    The organ is composed of 10,010 pipes which are divided into 146 ranks.

     

     

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    Dessert service for twenty-four

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    Venetian (circa) 1920

    Given by Pierre du Pont to his brother and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Irenee du Pont.

    It was gifted to Longwood Gardens in 2005 by the Irenee du Pont, Jr. family.

     

     

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    More beauty after leaving Exhibition Hall.

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    Camellias are originally from the Himalayas and their name means 'flowering tea' in chinese, because the tea plant is a member of this family.

     

     

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    You know they are in the area by their fragrance.

     

     

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    I am fascinated by lights...

     

     

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    ...and fountains. (Notice the pennies.)

     

     

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    I found this area to be the most unusual and beautiful of its kind.

     

     

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    Can you guess what this very important area is? Look closely.

     

     

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    It's the hall of bathrooms.

     

    ~~~

    More pictures tomorrow night.

    ~~~

     

     

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    Set an example for other followers by what you say and do, as well as by your love, faith, and purity.

    1 Timothy 4:12 (Contemporary English Version)

     

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    Part 2 - Longwood Gardens

    Thursday Afternoon and Evening, September 27

     

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    Walking away from the area where we tried to match the location of our engagement pictures.

     

     

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    There are even plants on roof tops.

     

     

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    The fountains are the first thing I recognized from fifty years ago.

     

     

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    This old white mulberry tree is propped up with poles.

     

     

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    I took this picture because it reminded me of the Bible verse from Revelations 3:20.

    "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me."

     

     

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    John 8:12

    “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

     

     

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    If I had to choose a favorite spot, it would have been inside the Conservatory where we were surrounded by beauty. 

     

     

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    There will be many more pictures from inside the Conservatory.

     

     

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    I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

    Galatians 2:20 (New Living Translation)

     

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    Longwood Gardens

    Thursday Afternoon and Evening, September 27

    Part 1

     

     

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    We were delighted to be invited to go to Longwood Gardens with Inge Koenig, TFC Executive Assistant to the President and Editor of Highway News & Good News.

     

    The first thing we did after showing our free passes (from Inge) at the Visitors Center was ask a staff person if she could tell us the location of this place in the Gardens.

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    This is where we had our engagement photo taken - fifty years ago.

    She told us, "I am sure that's up on hillside." So we headed in that direction.

     

     

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    Inge and Cerwin

    One of the places we were told to look for on the way to hillside was Eye of Water.

     

     

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    It was a warm, beautiful evening.

     

     

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    Inge took several pictures of us and I thought you may enjoy seeing us for a change.

     

     

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    I like this one of us looking at the tower.

     

     

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    Then it was my turn to take pictures of inge.

     

     

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    We were getting close to the area where we had taken our picture in the spring of 1962.

     

     

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    We were told that we may not be able to get to the exact spot because some of hillside is closed to the public - due to renovation.

    We noticed that several stairways were grown over and closed.

     

     

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    While looking for the spot I took pictures of some of the pretty things along the path.

     

     

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    This was not the exact spot, but as close as we could get. Even if we could have gotten there, it would have looked quite different due to the growth of the trees and bushes.

     

     

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    I am holding our engagement picture in this shot.

    It was fun thinking about being here fifty years ago when we were dreaming of a lifetime together.

     

     

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    I've told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace.

    In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties.

    B ut take heart! I've conquered the world.

    John 16:33 (The Message)

     

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    Miller/Eshleman Reunion

    Sunday, September 23

     

     

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    It was a beautiful afternoon for a family reunion.

     

     

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    The Eshlemans - My stepmothers family

    The Millers - Her first husband's family. (He and two of their children died in a boating accident. After my mom died, Dad married Velma in 1975.)

     

     

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    Cerwin and I prepare the pavilion area, and since we know most of them, we are invited to enjoy the day at this reunion.

     

     

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    Roasting hot dogs

     

     

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    For those who know our family - the young man sitting at the end of the table (striped shirt) is our grandson Jordan. His girlfriend, Kezi, is part of the Eshleman family.

     

     

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    Our stepsister Carolyn and Kezi's mom, Glenda, roasting marshmallows.

     

     

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    Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you.
    Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.

    Psalm 143:8 (New Living Translation)

     

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