One of the highlights of my trip to Florida was meeting a gentleman that answers to the name A.G. We were invited to his house for cocktails, while we watched the sun set on the beach. He was such a gracious host and he has such a beautiful place. Immediately when you pull up to the front of his abode it’s very obvious that you are about to enter the home of an avid gardener. The outside wall that hides his secret garden is lush with tropical plants. He welcomed us into his fabulous home where we were greeted with the sound of New Age music and the smell of incense. I knew from that instant, I was going to enjoy my time spent in his company. I was later told the incense and music was intended as a joke. I don’t know if that’s true, but I do know comedic intentions or not it was right up my alley.
We were only there long enough to freshen up our drinks before I asked permission to see his garden and to take a few photographs. He happily obliged and led us into the first of two courtyards. His garden was filled with crinum, plumeria, climbing fig, thunbergia and trees of all kinds just laden with fruit. I thought to myself, how wonderful it would be to walk outside in the morning and pluck your breakfast from a tree. Ones that immediately caught my eye were the key limes, satsumas and Myers lemons.
The garden alleys and pathways were punctuated with awesome statuary like this one of Venus. Any of you that have seen my garden know I am a sucker for statues of goddesses. This is 'Venus De Milo'. He also has ‘Venus Italica’ by Canova and thought it would be really neat if he got ‘Birth of Venus’ to add to his collection. Some how the sea shell seems so appropriate since he's right on the beach.
Birds of Paradise and sun symbols were in plenty…
Different versions of Green Man A.K.A. Leaf Man dot the wall and decorate fountains around the garden. He’s the symbol of rebirth, resurrection and a guardian of nature.
After a tour of the garden it was time to trot across the street to the beach and watch the sunset. I think the pictures speak for themselves…
It was a wonderful eveing and I sincerely enjoyed A.G.'s company, I regret the time passed so fast.
What a lovely tropical tour. Makes you want to camp in the cabana with a margarita Jimmy Buffet style (not that I drink or anything). Very nice tour.
ReplyDeleteTina,
DeleteHe really does have a such a beautiful home. Rumor has it around town that it may have once been a secret meeting place for Kennedy and Ms. Monroe.;0)
Wow---what a fabulous home and setting A.G. has.... IF I didn't love the mountains so much, I'd vote for a place like that ---with a nightly view of the sunset..... WOW!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGlad you met him and enjoyed your time with him. He obviously is a very interested and gifted person... Hope you get to go back sometime.
Hugs,
Betsy
Betsy,
DeleteThe mountains have always won hands down for me. But lately I've been looking more at the beach for me as a retirement place. Both energies are peaceful but in different ways...
What a beautiful sunset at the beach! Love the sea oats in the foreground..
ReplyDeleteSweetbay,
DeleteSo good to see you here again. Glad you like the sea oats that was actually my plan when taking the photo. Glad you picked up on that, I accomplished my goal!
Gardener's are the nicest people, well most of them anyway.
ReplyDeleteLes I agree. I think working with the Earth brings you a special peace that radiates when you meet others.
DeleteIt looks as if you were in a tropical paradise. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteLisa,
DeleteIt was a tropical paradise! I failed to get pictures of the raised deck. It give a birds eye view of the garden.
A walled Secret Garden! How are we supposed to be happy with our wooden privacy fences after this, Randy? (On the other hand this was a good year for Meyer's lemons and satsumas - yay!) Thanks for letting us have a look inside.
ReplyDeleteAnnie at the Transplantable Rose
Annie all I have is chainlink! LOL
DeleteStunning! And what a gorgeous blog you have. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you LostRoses! I'm glad you came to visit me!
DeleteReally great sunset shots!!...Im a fla girl! haha
ReplyDeleteSharon,
DeleteYou get to enjoy these all the time then don't you!
Randy this was BEAUTIFUL ! .. and if ever you were to visit my very humble abode I would have new age music and incense burning (I just bought a new one called ocean and it is very nice .. hope to have it calm me as I attempt some yoga after many years away) .. I love your pictures, you chose well! .. Green-man fascinates me the terra cotta one with the gargoyle ? sitting on his head was my favorite : )
ReplyDeleteThe closing pictures of the sunset were stunning .. you did GOOD !!
Joy (our north is not yet that cold .. phew!!)
Joy you sound like my kinda girl!;0) Let me know how sore you are from the Yoga! I've been thinking about starting that myself. They say it's really good for people with bad backs.
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