Gratitude Monday: Fight Love Live

This close to the Spring equinox, I’m grateful for the places here in the Valley They Call Silicon that bring gardens—beautiful, stunning flower gardens—to those of us who live in environments that are dirt-free.

Well, as dirt-free as you can get being in eye-shot of El Camino Real.

If you’re in the South Bay and you don’t want to drive up to Golden Gate Park (which indeed has spectacular flower gardens), Filoli fits the bill.

Filoli is “one of the finest remaining country estates of the early 20^th Century.” The family that built it made its money in originally in mining, then it was bought by a couple whose wealth came from shipping. So, there was plenty of the readies to construct and maintain several distinct garden areas.

(There’s a big old mansion, too, which apparently was used for exterior shots of…Dynasty, maybe. I never watched that and I find the house a little on the pedestrian side; although the kitchen is pretty interesting.)

Shortly after I moved to this area, my friend Amy insisted that I had to go there, that it’s one of her favorite places around here, but I never got round to it.

Then we met there one year for their Christmas craft sale, which is held in the house. (Gardens not open during that period.) And I was interested enough to go back a few months later to see the exterior.

Dear readers—Amy was right. When I was there, roses were in full force, along with irises (one of my favorites; I love bulbs). It was lovely to wander around amidst the scents and colors and forget all about tech matters. It does not possess the in-your-face extravagance of the Huntington Gardens, near where I grew up. But I actually prefer it because it’s more inviting.

Well, last week, the Table Topics at Toastmasters were all about Spring, which got me thinking about needing a flower fix. So I drove up there and was well rewarded for the effort.

This being early in the season, there were various narcissi, and enough tulips to soothe the soul of any Dutchman.

Don’t believe me? Take a look.

  

The estate’s name comes from the words Fight, Love, Live. Story is that the Bourns, who built it, believed in this credo: To fight for a just cause; to love your fellow man; to live a good life.”

I’m grateful for them, for the foundation that continues their work and for my friend Amy who insisted that I go see this place. It is forever entwined with our friendship.