HomeI usually make the point of walking through the annual R.I. flower/garden show every year that I'm in town.
I remember one year the theme of the show had something to do with children and another year Martha Smith, the former Providence Journal writer whose book on her gardening experience had just come out, was one of the speakers during the event.
I also remember the year I volunteered to accompany a group of 4 - 5-year-old preschool children from the Child Development Center at URI - Providence campus and spent the whole morning at the show. I recall how excited they were to see all the flowers and exhibits. (Those children are now juniors in high school and many have fond memories of that special trip).
Despite my ambivalent feelings toward flower/garden shows, written about in this article about the Philadelphia Flower show, managed by the same firm that also did the R.I. Flower show, I still feel compelled to support our local Flower Show. I urge everyone to attend the annual event.
Not wanting to deal with the possible big crowds, I made my way to the flower show around midday on the first day it opened. I looked at the floral arrangements, various artistic displays; then slowly observed the "Timeless Gardens."
I remember my early years of buying and awkwardly carrying different kinds of orchid plants from orchid farms/vendors back to my car. Now, orchids are so easily obtained at many places that I did not purchase any. However I picked up 4 new house plants, grown in local and nearby New England nurseries.
2.19.10.. one of the 4 house plants .. Stromanthe sanguinea
2.19.10.. one of the 4 plants... Pelargonium Vancouver centennial
There are vendors for arts and crafts, household products, clothing, jewelriy and food including dairy products. I remember the old days of buying fragrant, decorative candles and lavender-filled eye pillows.
I have been looking for a small stained-glass angel to replace the broken one and never thought I would find one there; but I found many to choose from.. made by an artist in Winthrop, Mass..
2.20.10 .. A handcrafted stained-glass angel
The flower show brings back lots of fond memories.
