Garden Journal - In Front of Highspire

The roses along the stone wall in front of Highspire continue to look fabulous as the first real heat of summer begins! Miss Lua is certainly keeping a wary eye on something -- what could it be??

Ah yes ... The Streetscape construction in front of Highspire (at least the Department of Highways portion of it) is now underway in earnest. DOH is moving drainage grates, installing the "on street" side of the curbs and repaving once the curbs are in place. Here DOH has replaced a pipe across Wilkes Street at the corner of Independence Street. I'm saving lots of money on alarm clock batteries since the DOH jackhammers start promptly each morning at 7:15 am.

Happy West Virginia Day!

Happy 146th Birthday, West Virginia!!

Animal Transport - Huntington WV to Hagerstown MD

What more appropriate way to celebrate West Virginia's Birthday than by driving the whole way across West Virginia and back in one day!

Today I left Berkeley Springs (in the Eastern Panhandle) in the early morning to drive a Special Medical Transport from Huntington, West Virginia (on the western side of WV at the Kentucky & Ohio border) back east to Hagerstown, Maryland.

My passenger is a quadriplegic Yorkie puppy named "Gizzmoe". He is 7 months old and was paralyzed by spinal injury suffered after jumping off a bed. Gizzmoe weighs less than 4 pounds and is a very sick fellow; however, despite his serious condition, Gizzmoe gave me some kisses!! Gizzmoe will be hospitalized in Pennsylvania to see if the doctors can help him. If Gizzmoe's condition can be stablized and he can have a good quality of life, I will adopt Gizzmoe and he will join the Yorkies of Highspire!

After I transferred Gizzmoe to his hospital driver and I was preparing to leave, another northbound dog transport pulled into the parking lot. That driver recognized me from other transports and we ended up walking her dogs together before they continued northward to their overnight. This coonhound puppy is headed to Rescue in New England!

Garden Journal - Fairy Roses!

The Fairy Roses are in full bloom in the North Bed at Highspire!

Muffin -- Mommie's Little (Office) Helper!

Little Muffin is feeling good and came to the office to "help" me again today! He is holding down C.C.'s pillow very, very well!

At the end of his exhausting day, Muffin was ready to go home! Can you see him?? Look re-e-eally closely at the bottom of the doorway! :) Note: In most browsers, if you "left click" on the photo for a closeup, you can see Muffin's totally impatient "hurry up already!" grumpy face -- it's adorable!

Courthouse - 2nd Floor Steel

Look at all the steel the workmen put up on the sides of the 2nd floor this past week!

A "PupLuck Picnic"!

Today Gabby, Liah, Muffin (at left) and I drove to New Jersey to attend a "PupLuck Picnic" for Rescue Me! Yorkie Rescue! The invitees included folks who have adopted Yorkies from Rescue Me! and their Yorkies (of course!) Approximately 70 people and 90 Yorkies were in attendance! The furkids were exhausted from all the excitement of the day and slept the entire ride home.

Garden Journal - Tiger Lilies!

The first of Mommy's tiger lilies are now in bloom at Highspire!

Garden Journal - Clear Spring Garden Club

The members of the Clear Spring Garden Club of Clear Spring, Maryland visited Highspire Gardens this evening! Being true gardeners, they didn't allow a little rain to get in their way!

Garden Journal - North End Garden Club

This afternoon the North End Garden Club from southern Pennsylvania toured Highspire Gardens! The rainy weather of this past week let up long enough to let the sun shine!

Garden Journal - Hyperion Daylily

The Hyperion Daylilies are blooming in the North Bed at Highspire!

Garden Journal - Front Wall Roses!

Across the front stone wall at Highspire, the clustering Zephirine Drouhin and baby pink New Dawn roses are gorgeous!

Garden Journal - Lightning Bugs!

This evening the first lightning bugs were flickering around Highspire! I love when they land on my hand and then walk up my fingertip to take off!

Courthouse - Walls & Insulation

Most of the construction on the Courthouse last month was not readily visible from outside, but this week the exterior walls began to take shape on the Ground Floor. You can see the outline of some of the front first floor windows now. Also, some gray insulation was blown onto the raw steel beams on the Ground Floor.

Garden Journal - First Tomato!

The big containers on the Courtyard at Highspire have produced the first cherry tomato of the season! I took this photo after dark ... because I couldn't wait until morning to eat this juicy little guy!

Garden Journal - Peonies

In the North Bed, the peonies are bigger than ever this year! It seems they all bloomed at once ... and the incredible scent knocks you off your feet!

Garden Journal - Pink Iris

This pink iris has always struck me as quite the "Glamour Puss" in the Gardens with its oversized falls and fluffy orange beard, so this year it gets the "full glamour treatment" in this closeup!

Happy Birthday... (Now Go Away, Mom!)

Junior has no interest in my 46th Birthday! After returning home late from taking a Rescue Yorkie for much-needed surgery, Junior sought refuge anywhere he could from my after-hours effort at a party!

Garden Journal - Iceberg Roses

The always-reliable Iceberg roses withstood last Winter's extremely cold temperatures and look terrific this Spring in the Rose Garden!

Garden Journal - Jackie In Pink

Jackie In Pink verbascum is in full bloom beside the Main Fountain at Highspire!

Garden Journal - Miss Lua, Guard Cat!

Miss Lua is always on guard for errant moles (or kitties) who dare stray into "her" Gardens!

Garden Journal - Queen Elizabeth

In the Rose Garden beside the Main Fountain, beautiful Queen Elizabeth stands on thick stalks almost waist-high and sports blooms larger than my hand!

Garden Journal - Rosa Rugosa

This rosa rugosa in the North Bed is wrapping the yellow glass hummingbird feeder in a blanket of pink!

Happy Memorial Day!

This burgundy iris cluster in the Partierre is so spectacular on this Memorial Day weekend!

Garden Journal - First Butterfly!

This evening I saw my first yellow butterfly of the season! It was flitting across the North Bed, but it was too quick for a photo! Next time...I'll be ready! :)

A Stuffing Party!

Today Miss Paras (age 19 1/2 - on left), Muffin (age 18 - on right) and I (almost 46) traveled to Chambersburg, Pennsylvania for a "Stuffing Party" to benefit Rescue Me! Yorkie Rescue. Lots of rescue volunteers come to these events several times a year to stuff empty dog beds with fiberfill so the finished beds can be sold at dog shows for fundraising. The Rescue spends the money raised for medical care for the pups prior to their adoption. Muffin and Miss Paras were Sweet and Gorgeous and quite adored by one and all! Its neat to think that together Miss Paras and Muffin totaled only 4.9 pounds, but comprised 37 1/2 years of Yorkie!

Welcome Muffin!

"Muffin", an adorable 2.6 pound, 18 year old Yorkie, has come to live at Highspire! He is looking forward to feeling better with some intensive medical rehab for respiratory and other serious medical issues. Muffin fits right in and my other Yorkies love him already. Tashia, my former Arkansas Puppy Mill momma, thinks tiny Muffin is her new "puppy"! Welcome to Highspire, little Muffin!!

Garden Journal - Mary Rose

Mary Rose is fragrant and stunning next to the Main Fountain at Highspire!

Well Earned Relaxation....

Following the conclusion of the Master Gardeners Garden Tour, Todd and I took the evening off to visit our parents at Nebo and check out the sunset at Panorama!

Garden Journal - Master Gardeners Plant Sale & Garden Tour

Today is the first day of the Master Gardeners' Plant Sale. Toddy pulled the little red wagon home from the Park with our purchases!

In conjunction with the Plant Sale, the Master Gardeners organized a walking "Garden Tour" of downtown Berkeley Springs and Highspire is "Stop #1"! Todd's help in preparing the Gardens for this early season Tour was invaluable!

Miss Paras, Todd and I are ready to welcome our visitors to Highspire. We are so pleased to be asked to participate in the Master Gardeners tour! The Garden Tour and the Plant Sale continue through 4:00PM tomorrow.

Garden Journal - Gala Madrid Iris

Today is the first day of bloom for the Gala Madrid iris! This is a stand that originally came to Highspire from our Grandmother's house!

Garden Journal - My Supervisor

Toddy and I are getting the Gardens ready for the upcoming Garden Tour. This task is so much easier with the expert supervision of Lua the Garden Cat!

Garden Journal - Courtyard Roses

The climbing roses outside of the Courtyard look better than ever this year at Highspire!

Toddy's 250th Marathon!!

Today Toddy ran his 250th Marathon in Frederick, Maryland! As you can see, he ran barefoot!

I made a little sign (on the right) for Toddy to wear to let other runners to know today is a special event! The race organizers even gave Toddy the number "250" to wear for his special day!

It poured rain for most of the day -- but Toddy did Great, pacing in a group of half-marathon runners and finishing his full marathon in 4:47:48. See his exciting finish below!


As a founding member of "Team Toddy", it is always terrific fun for me to cheer on all the runners from the sidelines!

CONGRATULATIONS TODDY on completing your 250th MARATHON!!! I'm So Proud of You!!!

Toddy Warms Up!

After Toddy ran the Apple Blossom 10K in Winchester, Virginia this morning; we drove to Frederick, Maryland to continue Toddy's marathon "warm up" with a 5K in Frederick, Maryland! When Toddy approached the Finish Line, I was surprised to see another Barefoot Runner in the race!



Before we left, I decorated my car in Toddy's honor.

Garden Journal - First Iris!

The last several days have been unusually warm with temperatures in the 80s and 90s. As a result, several flowers are seriously out of sequence -- including this new white iris reticulata that I didn't even expect to bloom until next year!...but it sure is cute!

Toddy Arrives for His 250th Marathon!

Toddy arrived early this morning to stay a while at Highspire and run his 250th Marathon in Frederick, Maryland this coming Sunday! I get to go cheer him on!

Courthouse - The Clock Tower Emerges

This week the Courthouse clock tower outline emerged. When the steelworkers finished, they packed up; but before they left, the steelworkers planted an American flag on top of their new creation!

Garden Journal - Lilac and Spirea

These fragrant beauties stopped me in my tracks above the Courtyard! Both the purple lilac and the white spirea are in full bloom!

Miss Paras Attends the "Mutt Strut"

This morning Miss Paras and I attended the "Mutt Strutt" - a fundraiser for the benefit of the Humane Society of Morgan County (West Virginia), held at Cacapon State Park.

In addition to participating in a short walk, Miss Paras and I won two contests! Smallest Dog (2.4 pounds) and Doggy/Owner Lookalike! ( I knew my white hair would come in handy someday!) Miss Paras won a dog bed -- which is a good prize because Miss Paras does enjoy her beauty sleep these days. They didn't have a contest for "Oldest Dog" because she would have "run off" with that category too! :)

Garden Journal - Tree Frogs

Tonight the tree frogs have started singing. They are taking advantage of the warm temperatures to get a "jump" start on their season!

Sad News - Arnold

This evening Arnold, my 13 year old Special Needs Yorkie, died from complications of congestive heart failure. Arnold was only given 2 to 4 months to live when he came to live at Highspire (see December 18, 2007 blog entry), but he survived 16 months...and all of it Quality Time. This is my favorite photo of "Arnie" (as he was affectionately known) taken at his 13th Birthday Party. Arnie let me tie his "Bow Hat" around his head -- and he wore it all evening! Arnie had an excellent sense of humor. He looked so handsome in his blue sweater. I Love You, Arnie and I'll miss you always.

Mala In the House!

Mala, the town cat, is holding Court at my office today ... and she clearly wants a Belly Rub!

Garden Journal - Happy Easter!

This little bunny has hopped over to Highspire to wish us a Happy Easter!

Courthouse - Up, Up, Up!

The outline of the third floor is in place now with the base of the clock tower and the main archway also visible in the right foreground of this photo.

Garden Journal - Cherry Blossoms

The Yoshino cherry tree blossoms are incredibly delicate and pink!

Courthouse - More Steel!

The steelworkers have finishing laying the second floor!

Garden Journal - Flowering Quince

This evening the flowering quince is gorgeous at Highspire!

Garden Journal - Double Daffodils

This double daffodil in the North Bed is so huge it almost needs staking!

Garden Journal - Hyacinth

The purple hyacinths outside the Courtyard smell so sweet!