HOME AND GARDEN DAY: Another great tour

Thank you, Margaret Hennes.
If she hadn't persuaded us to visit the garden at WynEden on the Library's annual house and garden tour, we would have skipped it. Instead, it turned out to the most memorable part of the day.
What a magical property! There's a picturesque pond with water lilies and quaint bridges; a vast slope completely covered by hostas spills down from the house to the lake; and paths take you past other tucked-away gardens as they meander through the hills full of mountain laurels, azaleas, and rhododendrons. A high mesh deer fence surrounds the property.
In one bed near the lake I saw a variety of spiderwort I've never seen before, with beautiful white and pale purple flowers. And I had never seen pitcher plants growing anywhere except at the carnivorous plant room at Longwood Gardens, but there they were, thriving right at the lake's edge.
We heard the owner, Wayne Guymon, telling some other guests that maintaining the ten-acre property is a full-time job, although he views it as a pleasure and a privilege rather than a job.
Our West Marlborough neighbor Sunny McGeorge was stationed by the lake doing a painting of some flowers. She said she had visited WynEden before with her Garden Club and jumped at the chance to be one of the volunteer artists on the tour.
Other highlights on the tour were the gorgeous infinity pool at the Gahagans' on Smith Bridge Road; the recycled architectural details, the flower arrangements and the quirky artwork at Cloud Hill on Nine Gates Road; and the "three blind mice" perched on a tall clock at Luedekes' old schoolhouse on Fairville Road.
The parkers on the tour put in yeoman's duty this year, as several of the houses had limited parking areas and guests had to park on the shoulder of the road instead of in someone's field. The parkers were also very proactive about asking if we knew the way to the next house on the tour.
Just driving along the back roads of southern Chester County and northern New Castle County on our way between the houses was a treat. And unexpectedly we also saw some amazing sports cars out and about: two Ferraris, a Lamborghini and a Delorean.
Once again the well-organized ladies of the library's Special Events Committee did a terrific job coordinating all the details of the tour, from the well-drawn map, to the fresh flower arrangements, to the library program exhibits at each house. And I liked the new method of gaining admission: you turned in your tickets at the first house you visited and were issued a wristband. So much easier than the old system of tying a paper ticket onto your person with a piece of string.

CLOSED: Smith's Bridge is being painted

Just a warning that Smith's Bridge over the Brandywine in Montchanin is closed until the end of June for painting. Smith's Bridge Road is blocked at Route 100, but it's actually open past the Granogue estate and right up to the bridge itself, which is chained off.

PLANTATION FIELD: A show for horses and dogs

Kathleen Crompton asked me to mention an upcoming "Jump for Rescues" jumper/schooling horse show at the Plantation Field grounds starting at 9 a.m. Wednesday, June 22. Net proceeds from entry fees will benefit dog rescues, and you are welcome to bring your rescue dog and join a parade in the ring at noon. More details are on Plantation Field's website. The PetValu store in Kennett is the sponsor.

SAFETY: Four feet is the law!

Just now I was asked by a bicyclist to remind motorists that, when they are passing a bicyclist, they must allow four feet between their vehicle and the bike. It's Pennsylvania law. It's also the safe and correct thing to do.
Four feet means 48 inches. Period. End of story. Even on winding, narrow Chester County roads with no shoulders, or if you're in a hurry to get somewhere and don't feel like crawling at 15 mph behind a bicyclist.
If you get the impression that Tilda takes this personally and is steaming mad at the moment, you would be correct.

Here's the language in the driver's manual:
SAFE PASSING IS THE LAW
1. Before passing, you must first decide whether you can maneuver around the bicyclist. Be sure to check for oncoming traffic. When passing, you must allow at least four (4) feet between your vehicle and a bicycle in order to pass safely. If necessary and if you can do it safely, you are permitted to cross the center double yellow line so you can maintain the four (4) feet of clearance between your vehicle and the bicycle.
2. Unless making a left turn, bicyclists traveling more slowly than passing vehicles must keep to the right side of the roadway and must travel in the same direction as the rest of traffic. However, this requirement is waived on roads with a single lane in each direction.
3. When there is only one travel lane, bicyclists may use any portion of the lane to avoid hazards on the roadway, including keeping a safe distance from stopped and parked cars.
4. Drivers cannot turn into the path of a bicyclist who is riding straight ahead on a roadway or shoulder.
5. You cannot force a bicyclist off the road. If you do this, you may face criminal charges.
6. Bicyclists are considered to be vehicle operators and are expected to obey all traffic laws; however, they may travel at less than the posted minimum speed and may not be cited for impeding traffic. Bicyclists may operate on a shoulder or berm, but are not required to do so.

OPTICAL: Patients and patience

As anyone who has ever dealt with the public knows, it is not always an easy job. So I was especially impressed by the unfailingly kind and cheerful service provided by the front-desk people at Miller Eye Care in the Jennersville shopping center. A pal was having his eyes dilated for an exam, and I was asked to provide transport home, so I sat in the waiting room for an hour one evening, knitting and observing.
The place was extremely busy, with the phone ringing and customers coming in to pick up eyeglasses or contacts, to get eye exams and to get their glasses tweaked. Everyone was greeted, many by name, as soon as they entered. Some patients spoke limited English, and the front-desk ladies were amazingly patient, helping them to fill out forms or apologizing for not being able to pronounce a foreign name. One little girl beamed when the ladies told her how stylish her new purple specs were.
As we were checking out, I complimented the ladies and they were quick to say that they loved their jobs, and it was a team effort.
One amusing side note: for perhaps the first time ever, I became a fashion consultant. A total stranger buying new glasses asked me for my opinion about three frames she was considering. I suppose I do have pretty cool glasses, but absolutely nothing else about me is the least bit fashionable -- trust me on this. One pair of glasses suited her perfectly, so I had no trouble giving her my confident advice. I probably should have asked about the relative costs first, but it wasn't my money, was it.

PLANTS: A different country

Thanks to the Internet, e-mail and social media, our global world seems so much smaller these days. Just like we are, my friends in England are busy with work and family life and suffering through a contentious political season. But then a moment occurs when I remember that London is a long way from Unionville.
On social media yesterday I posted a photo of the monster jack-in-the-pulpit that's growing out back in the shade garden (40 inches tall!). A baffled British friend responded to the photo with a question mark: he was completely unfamiliar with the plant and had no idea what I was talking about or how remarkable it was.
It seems they don't have jack-in-the-pulpits in the UK, those wretched unfortunates.
Then again, they don't have poison ivy, either.

SCHOOL: Drawing to a close

Yesterday afternoon I was driving past UHS and Patton Middle School just before the end of the school day and slowed down to say hello to the crossing guard.
"Just a few days left!" I said.
"Twelve," she replied immediately. It was almost as if she were counting the days.