Saturday, February 09, 2008

The Peace of Saint Francis

Far and away my favorite room in the Como Park Conservatory is what I always called the fern room. It is cool and the air is moist, smelling of life and all things green. There is a little waterfall that tumbles over rocks and past various ferns into a pool at the feet of this lovely statue if Saint Francis. Saint Francis is even a bit green and there are thick carpets of mosses between the plants.

And then there are the orchids. There are creamy orchids,

wispy, delicate orchids,

and sparkly orchids.
I know absolutely nothing about orchids except that they are amazingly beautiful. My visit to the Conservatory refreshed me. I won't let years go by before I visit there again.
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12 comments:

Larry said...

It seems like a nice place to visit.-I'd like to go to a place like that and sip a cup of tea.-Finding a place that helps bring some inner peace is one of the keys to life.

Anonymous said...

Lovely. I can smell the air from your description. I love the slightly mossy St Francis. Wonderful.

Anonymous said...

The orchids are gorgeous. Now I want to go to the Conservatory in Pittsburgh. It would be a nice break from our colorless surroundings.

Mary said...

When you described the atmosphere around Saint Francis, I could feel and smell the earthy scents. So beautiful! And the orchids are especially exquisite. Yes, Linne, don't let much time go by before you visit again.

Anonymous said...

Lynne, didn't realize you were back to blogging, boy it was a wonderful surprise for me. The conservatory pics are so great, it has been many years since we were there. I loved the smell of the place it is so earthy and so warm in the middle of winter, sort of Hawaii in the middle of the city.
Wish we didn't live so far away, but your pics brought back pleasant memories and I can dream and imagine. Thanks!
Prayers still coming your way.
Nature Knitter's Mom [Betty K]

Susan Gets Native said...

Yum.....humidity and warmth. Did your body go into shock, walking in the door?
LOVE the greenish St. Francis.

Anonymous said...

Superb orchid photos Lynne. I love orchids but I have restrained myself from getting too deeply involved with them - I've heard they are "highly addictive" and the last thing I need in my life is another nature-mania. OK, I could always use another nature-mania but I'm not sure my family could stand me having another one.

Jayne said...

Such beautiful orchids Lynne. Love the St. Francis (the name of my church!) watching over it all. Glad it brought you such joy and peace.

NatureWoman said...

Beautiful orchids Lynne! Mmmmm, smelling plants is such a wonderful smell.

RuthieJ said...

Wouldn't it be great to be able to have a fern & orchid room in your own Minnesota house? All that good smelling hot, humid air would certainly help get us through the winter.
Great pictures, Lynne!

Kathie Brown said...

Beutiful post and photos! If you want to learn about Orchids, read the Orchid Thief! Not a story exactly, more like the description of an obbsession and obssesive people! Born Again Birder is right. Best stay away from this one!

VJ said...

I like the fern room, but I think my all time favorite is the sunken garden with the coi pond running its length.

Hi I was directed here by Jayne at Journey through Grace. It sounds like we live in similar areas of the state. My "door" is always open at my blog; come say hi sometime. I'll be glad to have you.