It might come as a surprise, but I do have other interests beyond cherry blossom trees: all things French and gardens anywhere. This year, I was lucky enough to be accepted for the Garden Docent Training Program at Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens. I was thrilled when my tour passed the test and I joined the ranks of Hillwood’s Garden Docents in May.

Hillwood’s moniker is “Where Fabulous Lives,” a fitting tribute to its benefactor, Marjorie Merriweather Post and an apt descriptor of the collections inside the mansion and of the gardens that surround it. If you choose to visit, I hope I’ll be lucky enough to be your Garden Docent!

The visitors’ French hats were made by them as a special French Festival activity enjoyed by all ages on July 11, 2015.

But it’s still under wraps so stay tuned. In the meantime, I found this note from Peterborough, NH where I was delighted to give a talk this past April: ” . . .she is the best speaker we ever had here. Full sentences, no notes.” Wow!

In Washington, DC, it is hot and humid today, so here’s a photo of one of my favorite places– the US National Arboretum– on a snowy day. Makes me feel cooler just to think about it. Hope it will do the same for you!

A Yoshino Cherry Tree at the US National Arboretum in the snow.

Well, all I can tell you is that May for me disappeared into a whirlwind of travel, including a fabulous trip to Turkey where I saw Kwanzan cherry trees blooming in Istanbul, Konya and Ankara! I was incredulous, as you might be as you read this, but the photo is proof. It was taken on May 1 of this year in Istanbul. It was thrilling to find cherry blossoms there, on top of all the other wonderful experiences that await any visitor to Turkey. I highly recommend Turkey as a travel destination.
I also was in New York City briefly for BookExpo — stay tuned for further developments regarding my various publishing projects, currently still under wraps.
Next week there will be a planning meeting for the 2016 National Cherry Blossom Festival. Very excited about that since 2016 will also be the centennial celebration of the National Park Service! Watch this space for more information as it’s available.
Happy summer!

I’m looking forward to three book signings this weekend at the National Park Store Tent, not too far from the paddle boats dock. I’ll be there Friday the 10th, Saturday the 11th and Sunday the 12th from 1 to 3 each day. Of course, what I love most is to sign books, but I’ll be happy to chat and share what I know about Washington’s amazing cherry blossom trees. Please stop by!

The National Cherry Blossom Festival’s press conference was this morning. The National Park Service prediction for peak bloom was the big news — it’s expected to be from April 11 to 14! Looking forward to lots of springtime fun, which I’ll share with you on this blog.  Think pink!

The Cherry Blossoms’ Peak Bloom will be all over DC news channels today!

This year, more than most, I am elated to see that March is upon us.  Lion or lamb, it will be an improvement over the frigid February we experienced here in Washington, DC in 2015.

I’m delighted to share that I will be giving a cherry blossom talk at the Caroline County Library Community Services Center in Milford, Virginia on Saturday, March 14th at 4:00 pm.  This talk will be open to the public and is one of several the Library System is holding, honoring Japanese culture.  Hope to see you there!

My other public talk this year will be in Peterborough, New Hampshire, on April 23rd at 2 pm at RiverMead Retirement Community.  Members of the public are invited to attend as well as RiverMead residents.

My other “official” talks this year are private events, but if you want to meet me and chat about all things cherry blossom, I will be signing books by the Tidal Basin for several weekends during the National Cherry Blossom Festival.  You can find me at the National Park Store Tent from 1 to 3 pm on Saturday, March 28, and Sunday, March 29 — then again Friday, April 3; Saturday, April 4; Sunday, April 5; Friday, April 10 and lastly Saturday, April 11 — all from 1 to 3 pm.

Just in case you think cherry blossoms are my only interest, here’s an image from my foray to the Smithsonian American Art Museum yesterday.  My novel set in 16th century France is shaping up and the legend of Jeanne d’Arc plays a big role in it.  Stay tuned!

by J. William Fosdick, on view at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, 2015

And here’s another clue — King Francis the First of France on view at the Metropolitan Museum in NYC.