Visiting with "The Richmond Area Daylily Society."

Good Morning Daylily Friends,

What an absolutely wonderful fall, daylily week-end, Diana and I have just experienced.  We were invited to come and speak to the Richmond Area Daylily Society, and the drive to Virginia was just delightful.  We left the house and proceeded up I-85, and made just one or two turns before reaching our destination.  When we drove across the State line we took a picture of the highway sign where we were welcomed by residents of Virginia.  When we arrived at Petersburg we drove down a street and saw a sign that announced that General Lee's Headquarters was nearby.  We finally found the home, and when we did, I had my picture taken in front of the Headquarters.  Diana and I learned that the home is privately owned, and so it is over 150 years old.  We tried not to intrude, and soon left.

The next morning we decided that we would go and visit the battlefield at Petersburg, but when we arrived the gate was closed.  This was what we expected, and we found a "paper note" attached to the Stop sign that read as follows: "Because of the Federal Government Shutdown, this park facility is closed."  Oh well.  Sometimes we just can't do what we want to do, but it surely is bad under the circumstances we have here.  Since we couldn't enter the park, we went into the adjacent cemetery, and there we had an interesting adventure.  We met a group of "Sons of Confederate Veterans" who were busy repairing the grave sites of Civil War Veterans.  I spoke with several of the men, and soon they agreed to let me take their picture.  Imagine taking your Saturday morning to repair graves.  These fellows are dedicated.

Well Diana and I decided that the time had arrived that we should
go to the Club's meeting.  When we arrived we met so many friends.  Almost as soon as we pulled into the driveway, we saw Dave DeKort and his mother, Mary, who drove from North Carolina to attend the meeting.  Then we saw Kim Langston who is now married, and has a young son.  It was difficult for Kim to make the trip, but she did, and we were so glad to see Kim.  I must also tell you about the wonderful hospitality of President Paulette Miller and her popular young son, Michael, who is an outstanding hybridizer. Paulette and Michael took us to dinner on Friday evening, and after our meal we just kept
talking, and the young waitress must have "given-up" on trying to reassign our table.  I must likewise mention Club Member, Louise Walton.  I do not recall having sold daylilies to Louise, but she owns these daylilies that I've introduced:  KENNESAW MOUNTAIN HAYRIDE, LEMON SORBET, PASTOR LAURIE ANN MOELLER, RED SAPPHIRE, and CHILLED ORANGE SORBET.  Louise likes my daylilies, and this really lifts my spirits.  Thanks Louise for giving me the good news.

I want to also mention that it was a wonderful treat to speak before a Club whose members include the Esteemed Hybridizer, Ms. Margo Reed.  Margo was selected by the AHS as "Hybridizer of the Year."  This recognition is a significant accomplishment, and I think that H. MARGO REED INDEED is one of her very best introductions.

After our meeting Diana and I drove to downtown Richmond, and drove along "Monument Avenue."  This street is significant because there are a number of significant statutes erected along the street.  One of the statues is of Major General J.E.B. Stuart.  General Stuart was a significant Commander of Southern Cavalry Forces. General Stuart has a great, great grandson who lives today.  His name is J.E.B. Stuart IV.  What a heritage!

Then, of course, there is a statute honoring General Stonewall Jackson.  There are two writings on the statute.  The first says "Stonewall Jackson," and the second lists the dates of the General's birth, and of his death.  About his  death, it is simply written: "Killed at Chancellorsville."  Unfortunately Stonewall was shot by one of his own men as he was returning, during darkness, from a reconnaissance mission.  Just before his death General Jackson said this:  "Tell Gen. Stuart to act on his own judgment and do what he thinks best.  I have implicit confidence in him."  General Jackson said this as he was turning his troops over to Gen. Stuart.

To me, the most important statute was of General Lee.  It looks just like the many pictures that I've seen of him, even those showing him in a standing position.  I was also impressed  by the fact that absolutely nothing is written on the statue, except the word "Lee."  I suppose that anyone who knows much of anything about American history would have to have some knowledge about his life.  He was a man of great accomplishment, and he was a leader the South had, who truly had success in battle. So, on Monument Avenue, General Lee's statute is prominent.

We saw much more in Virginia including the Governor's Mansion, and a massive statue of General Washington.  Wow!  He was a Virginian as well.

When we returned home I was tired.  I went to sleep.

Thanks again to the Richmond Area Daylily Society.  Coming to visit with you was much, much fun!

Bill