It was a rather spontaneous decision. Leaving our house on Sunday morning, I mentioned to Tom that we should take a quick ride after church, Chatting with my dear friend Pat after church, I said we were thinking of driving over and she said maybe she and Rick would follow us. Before long, there we were, exiting our cars and walking up to the doors of the historic Oak Park Conservatory.
Sometimes, we don’t realize how much we have missed until it rises to greet us.
So it was on Sunday morn as we opened the glass door to the historic greenhouse, a mecca amid concrete, bordered by traffic. We inhaled all the scents that winter had robbed us of. Ah, the blissful joy of fragrance and chlorophyl and peat, basking in windowpane sunshine.
It was good. Very good, indeed!
Visit the Oak Park Conservatory here.
What a good decision that was, Penny. You have gifted yourself a visit to the land of summer, probably a very forgotten place. I can feel your delight at entering a world of the senses once more. The flowers in your last photo look as if they are dancing, and very happy to be seen by you.
LikeLike
Oh, they do look like they are dancing, Juliet. Thank you for seeing that. It smelled so wonderful and felt so fresh as we entered this special place. Yes, the land of summer seems very forgotten right now, but, soon we will start to see buds and blooms and hope will rise again.
LikeLike
Oh, how beautiful. Now I want to go to Washington Park Conservatory in Springfield. Coincidentally, today as we drove by a nursery that is near here, I could see the owner working in the greenhouses. It is not open yet, but as we passed I thought, “I would love to go in there and just smell the dirt.” Of course, both my husband and the owner of the nursery would have thought that I was crazy. So, it was just a passing fancy. I appreciate you doing that for me so at least I can see the pictures, imagine the smells and the warmth.
LikeLike
Do go, soon, to Washington Park Conservatory – and bring some of the grands, if you can. There were several families with small children roaming about when we were at Oak Park. They loved seeing the turtles, 3rd and 5th pictures, and were trying to smell the flowers. I know what you mean about smelling the dirt (though I do think that the nursery owner would understand).
Janet, the warmth was so comforting. We all took off our coats as soon as we stepped in, then in the second area, where the succulents are, we were even warmer. My bones said “thanks”. The volunteer said that they had record numbers this winter, especially on Sundays, with this long winter.
Any peepers yet down there?
LikeLike
More evidence of that hope you mentioned a few posts back. Thanks!
LikeLike
You are welcome, Karen. There are little signs everywhere, though today is very cold. Hope, hope, hope.
LikeLike
Oh Penny! I am so glad you had the chance to revive the spirit today. You must have felt intoxicated by the fragrance and the sheer delight of immersing in spring. This outing kick-started what I hope will now be an endless season of such enjoyments. And if winter was this long, let’s just hope spring is even longer. Love the photos!
LikeLike
You are spot on, Debra, it was a Sunday revival of sorts – a balm for the soul. We actually talked about going to the Garfield Park Conservatory soon and Elmhurst’s is set to reopen after a renovation in April. We are so lucky, aren’t we, that our forebears had the vision to give us conservatories?
At any rate, I must have been channeling you. As soon as the door to the green, green space opened, I started to “breath lighter”.
LikeLike
Dear Penny, yes, as your first commentator said–the flowers in that last photograph look as if they are dancing at a cotillion. Or maybe a dance in the Jane Austen era! Peace.
LikeLike
Now, dear Dee, I am wanting to watch Sense and Sensibility again, or, perhaps, Pride and Prejudice, and dance the dance of the flowers. Do you have a conservatory anywhere near you?
LikeLike
That was a very good idea. If spring teases with its ‘will it won’t it, go look for the alternative under glass.
LikeLike
It ended up being a most wonderful alternative while we await spring here, Friko. I was quite content for a bit of an afternoon “under glass”.
LikeLike
A lovely way to renew the spirit and such a good idea. I must be like the children as I love those happy turtles on that sunny rock! It was 78 here Sat. and 33 this morning. Spring is getting closer!
LikeLike
They looked so content, basking in the sun, on a warm rock, waterfall behind them. Turtles are so fascinating and peaceful. 33 here right now, Marilyn, but, it was much nicer yesterday. We are getting there, slowly, but getting there.
LikeLike
That looks like a fabulous conservatory. I absolutely love the way greenhouses feel and smell and it has been way too long since we’ve been in one. (If you don’t count the fact that all of Florida can feel like that one on hot humid days!…but somehow it’s not the same at all.)
LikeLike
It is quite fabulous, Sallie; old, historical, peaceful and a sanctuary for souls like me. I’m sure you do feel like you are living in a greenhouse at times, but, still is nice in wintertime. We are fortunate to have several nice conservatories around here, many of them free or nominal. Sunday was just the perfect day for the tulips were blooming under all that glass, with a hint of what is coming our way.
LikeLike
What a treat, summer colours, some warmth, knowing that the real thing isn’t too far away now. Conservatories/ greenhouses are always so lovely to visit. We saw a gorgeous one in Auckland hours before we left New Zealand…it was our last excursion of our trip, as we knew it would leave us relaxed and ready for the 27 hour flight home ! Jx
LikeLike
It was akin to eating an appetizer, Janice; something to whet the appetite until the main course comes. I think I’ve read of the one in Auckland from a few of my New Zealand blogging friends. Oh, how I would love to see it.
What a long flight home that must have been – but, oh, the memories and family ties that you made and strengthened while you were “down under”.
LikeLike
I love your descriptions, Penny – chlorophyl and peat – the words hit my brain complete with exactly the right smell. Gorgeous. So glad you have such a wonderful place to visit on a Sunday morning. Inspired. Axxx
LikeLike
Me too, Annie. We are very fortunate – and I might have known you would have such a good sense of “smell”. Thank you, Annie.
LikeLike