Glooms is not really a word but it rhymes with blooms, so here it is. Taking a break from home hibernation, Virginia (the person) ventured out to walk around downtown Williamsburg, located in Virginia (the state.)
It felt like an episode of the Twilight Zone. Lunchtime on Duke of Gloucester Street is usually busy with crowds of visitors, college students and townies.
It was empty.
There’s often a 1/2 hour wait at the Cheese Shop for favorite sandwiches, with nary an empty table outside to be found. But, not today.
Today most everything is closed.
Walking a little further I noticed a few spring blooms peeking out (see that purple tree hiding?) But there wasn’t as much spring around as I hoped to see.
Passing one or two other walkers we waved greetings across the street (keeping our social distance) but it all seemed rather gloomy. Empty and gloomy.
Then I saw an open gate a bit off the beaten track, beckoning. As many times as I regularly walk on D.O.G. street (for exercise, plus it’s lovely) I have never seen this garden.
An explosion of color around every corner!
Even though trees here are still mostly bare and skies a bit gloomy, these riotous blooms chased the glooms away.
A profusion of blooms = instant antidote for the glooms.
“Where flowers bloom so does hope.” Lady Bird Johnson
grace, peace & blooms
Virginia : )
Roses in the Rubble 
Nature finds a way no matter what the circumstances are! Beautiful colors! 🙂
Thank you, Lisa. My pics don’t really do the garden justice, but you get an idea! Blessings! 🌸🌟🌸
Well, keep up the good work! 😊
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What a lovely garden. I have a son who lives in Richmond. He’s a dancer on Richmond Ballet. I also have another son and his new bride (she is also a ballet dancer) who live in Richmond. I love Virginia and am looking forward to a trip out there. We go out to the Ocean when were out there. I think I’ll give Williamsburg a look next time we’re out there. Blessings and stay safe ❤
Scarlett, do visit Williamsburg when you’re headed this way. We’re only 45 minutes from Richmond & 55 minutes (in minimal traffic) to Va. Beach – a lovely place to take a break! Blessings to you, too – be safe!!! 🌸🧼🤗🧼🌸
I will do that !!! Blessings Mz. Virginia, stay safe out their ❤
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Definitely in the spirit of finding “roses in the rubble”! 🌹 🌸 🌹🌸 🌹
Amen, Cindy. You know how much your sis loves flowers! These blooms shrieked JOY (the Easter kind) to me! Big big hugs + lots of love & prayers. 🌸🙏💜🙏🤗🌸
That garden saved the day! Nice.
Tim, my pics can’t do this garden justice, but you get an idea. Flowers that shrieked JOY! Blessings & please be safe! 🌟🌸🌟
Good day Virginia, how are you?
Very much enjoyed viewing (your) photographs of a town I’ve never been to but knew a little of through past studies centered on the American Revolution. I hadn’t appreciated its collonial aspect and found myself likening it to certain (old) northern towns in the U.K. As i recall, the town has quite a history.
I was delighted by the vibrant garden bristling with colour, lifting one’s mood and exciting the eye. I was also rather taken by the gnarly old tree and imagine it blossoms beautifully when the season is right for it to do so. This ‘secret’ garden was quite a find. Perhaps if this walk is a regular wander for you, you might keep watch over the garden and share it’s seasons with us. Who knows, maybe you’ll even get to know the owners of the house?
Enjoy a wonderful weekend. Take care, stay safe and well,
DN
Dewin, wow, you are (very) well read to know Williamsburg’s role in our history. Jamestown was the 1st English settlement in 1607, followed by Williamsburg not long thereafter. It became the capitol of Virginia during the Colonial era. In 1693 King William & Queen Mary established The College of William & Mary here where notable founders of our nation like Thomas Jefferson studied. (George Washington served as Chancellor @ W&M after his presidency.) Yorktown (a 20 minute drive) is where General Cornwallis surrendered to the ragtag American army on one side with General Lafayette’s French ships blocking escape by sea on the other side.
Although a fire burned most of Williamsburg a long time ago, the downtown was restored to its previous elegance in the 1920s with grants from the Rockefellers. The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation maintains the buildings with historic interpreters in colonial garb who make things educational & entertaining for myriad tourists (& lots of student groups) who visit very year.
That tree intrigued me for a closer look – so glad! I met a local lady in the garden (also taking pics) who said it’s open to the public. Maintaining our social distance she said it’s beautiful every year. Don’t know how I missed it in years past!
Stay safe, Dewin. Guess we need to “bloom where we’re planted” right now? Keep calm & bloom away (with out going away!)
Oh dear, what was in my tea today? ☕️🌸🤪☕️🌸
Absolutely delighted to learn more of the town’s intriguing history, thank you Virginia! Your photographs bring the town alive for me, your potted history adds depth and detail, and I feel happily sated as a result. (Undoubtedly, the icing on my curiosity cake would be chance to listen to the interpreters in colonial garb…I do enjoy a good guided tour before being let loose to freely ramble!) As a colonial settlement, it becomes more clear to me now why the architecture bares some similarity to places visited in certain parts of the U.K. From a personal perspective, I think it is essential to maintain historic settings and present them in their original guise; I’m in admiration of the crafted work done here…being there must feel as though one has been stepped back in time.
My knowledge of Williamsburg is quite limited: English history is the principle subject taught at most schools in the U.K, but I was fortunate in having an enthusiastic History teacher who thought it good practice to temporarily divert our gaze and embrace key moments in the history of other nations as well. I am so glad they did.
That tree has an unfathomable allure: a certain quality that makes it intriguing. It has already brought you into contact with another, and no doubt it will connect you with many other people over time as well: perhaps that is its magic.
‘Bloom where we are planted’ – is a wonderful expression and perfect for this moment in time! We shall spring from where we are sprung 😀
Stay safe and well. Take care of one, and all,
Namaste,
DN
“We shall spring from where we are sprung” – Virginia likes that one!! My mama always said the Bloom quote (methinks to inspire me to keep trying when things didn’t always go my way…) Blessings, Dewin! 🌿🌸🌿🌸
‘Bloom where we are planted’ – and in so doing flourish beneath the Sun and grow reaching for the stars.
Your mum did you proud Virginia: a wise woman was she. No doubt you heeded her advice and grew in strength and character as a result. We fall so as to learn how to pick ourselves up and carry-on regardless.
Have a wonderful weekend 🙏
DN
Aww, thank you so much for sharing this. Hope. 🙂
Elva, hope that you are staying well & safe in CA!! Pls be careful. Much love & lots of Hope! 🧼🌟🤗🧼🌟