An unapologetic plant geek shares advice and opinions on gardening, the contrived and the natural landscape, as well as occasional topics from the other side of the gate.

September 7, 2012

Turning a New Leaf

I have been rather negligent posting to my blog, but things have been in flux here lately.  After working 16 years for the same company, I decided to apply for a position at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens. The past few weeks have been a blur of resumes, applications, phone calls, interviews and sleepless nights.  Last Friday I was offered the position and immediately accepted, elation set in.  However, the sleepless nights have not ceased - over having to leave good friends in a place where I have spent about half of my adult life.  The only thing making this easier is that I am now working at one of my favorite places, ever.

While I still have one week left at my old job, I started working at the gardens this week.  When I clocked out today I took a stroll, and the following is just a taste of of what now get to see every day.

Caladium - Yellow Blossom (Leung Pa Li Chart) Caladium - Yellow Blossom (Leung Pa Li Chart)

Children's Garden 

Opuntia
   Opuntia 

Abelmoschus esculentus (Burgundy Okra)  
Abelmoschus esculentus


Canal Bank

Cortaderia selloana and Weigela florida 'French Lace' Cortaderia selloana and Weigela florida 'French Lace'

Colocasia esculenta 'Mojito' Colocasia esculenta 'Mojito'


Canal Bridge
 Hedychium
  Hedychium

Helianthus
   Helianthus

Butterfly Garden

I am sure you don't believe me, but I am not responsible for this men's room graffiti. Garden graffiti

37 comments:

  1. Les,
    Congratulations! Hope you enjoy in much better than the long time job, sometimes it is best to move on.

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  2. Congrats to you Les ! I've worked at the same company for 25 years and I can only imagine the courage it takes to step away from the known..Looking forward to updates from your new world !

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  3. Congrats, dude!!! I am so jealous. Go after your dreams...

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  4. Congrats! So if I ever come to the gardens can I get in for free now?:)

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  5. those are amazing leaves....and the Hedychium ...I have them..they are butterflys right? what is it this colors common name?

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  6. Yay for you! Les that is wonderful news!!! I look forward to lots of future posts about the gardens, congrats!

    Love that burgundy Okra!

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  7. Les,
    I'm thrilled for you! This is going to be great.

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  8. How exciting for you, and for us - because I'm sure your photographs taken at this place will be amazing over the years. Congratulations on the new position - and, hopefully, fewer sleepless nights in the days, weeks to come.

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  9. Les, I am so excited for you...Congrats.

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  10. Congratulations on a dream job. I was wondering because I was checking, on your update to blog posts. Good to know you were busy working on this great opportunity. You will have so much fun with your camera here too. It is like having a whole new playground of color and beauty.

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  11. Boy oh boy oh boy. I imagine being you waking up in the morning knowing you get to work at such a beautiful place. Hope it turns out even better than your wildest dreams.

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  12. Les,
    Wishing you all the best in your new position. I have been pleased to see the gardens change and grow since I first joined the Tidewater Rose Society in 1979.Have enjoyed judging shows there as well.

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  13. That sounds wonderful! I think the gardens are lucky to have you. Change can be intimidating but this seems like a great opportunity.

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  14. What a nice place to visit! I've never seen such a beautiful and characteristic leave as that of the Caladium - Yellow Blossom! Pure beauty and nice colors and texture, almost from out of space. I love it!

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  15. Thrilled to pieces at your exciting news, Les. Your old friends will just have to visit you at your new job -- and from the looks of your new job, that shouldn't be too painful for them.

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  16. Lucky Les!! So happy for you. I felt that way just volunteering at Cornell Plantations and then freelancing for them. The graffiti artist made a nice touch with that red flower, too. Stay elated!

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  17. Good for you Les. NBG is amazing and I hope you enjoy working there.

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  18. I am hoping to see you in the NBG newsletter teaching photography and editing classes as well in the not so distant future?!!.....ok, I know, one thing at a time! You'll be great there!

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  19. Good for you Les! Congrats. A new chapter begins....and maybe that's why it's tough sleeping right now. Change is hard for a lot of us but the best part is that you're doing what you love.....and that's great! All my best.

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  20. How wonderful for you! Congratulations!

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  21. gosh, les----wonderful that we can still see you around, not moving away to another part of the country---AND----a much shorter commute?

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  22. Congratulations, Les! I am looking forward to your posts at your new job.

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  23. How exciting! Congratulations. Good jobs are precious things these days and I think you are going to enjoy this one.

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  24. Thrilled for you, Les. NBG is fortunate to have you and I feel fortunate that you'll remain a Tidewater Gardener!

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  25. How fabulous! Congratulations Les, I hope it is everything you dream of and more. Most of all I look forward to the photos ;-)

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  26. Les, partings can be difficult. Hopefully you'll keep in touch with those you've really connected with. But this was too much of an opportunity to stretch your wings to be missed. I add my congrats to the slew of others you've received here.

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  27. Congratulations, Les!
    - Georgia

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  28. Congratulations Les!! This sounds like an amazing opportunity.

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  29. Congrats! As a frequent visitor to NBG, some day I wouldn't mind meeting the Tidewater Gardener, whose blog I have enjoyed reading the past 2 years! You will be an asset at the Gardens!

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  30. Les,
    I think that's just wonderful! How nice it must be to have a job in one of your favorite places. I'm very happy for you! I know you are going to love it...

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  31. Wow, great! It's one of my favorite places, too. I wonder if I will meet you in person there someday... Enjoy your new job!

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  32. I can't thank you all enough for the encouragement and kind comments. They will take me far. Tomorrow is the last day at my old job, and it could prove an interesting day.

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  33. Congratulations on your new job, Les! I hope you have many satisfying and productive years there.

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  34. Congrats! Looks like a beautiful place to work and I anticipate many posts on your surroundings. It is hard to make a big change like that even when we want to do it and know it's the right thing. Change is always scary even when it's good.

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  35. Wow!! That must be one of the best "offices" in the world! Congrats Les, wishing you all the best in your new position.

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  36. Congrats Les! I will def miss you at SG. Thanks for all your help and guidance over the past few years. I'll will def have to renew my NBG membership now!

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