What’s in a name? This delightful Eastern red cedar, like most of the trees we call cedars, is not really. It’s a juniper (Juniperus virginiana). It belongs to Juan Calderon. The photo is from the 2008 1st U.S. National Exhibition. Now, six short years later, it’s time for the 4th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition.
You know how sometimes you wish you had been somewhere when something important happened but you didn’t find the time or energy to pull it together, and then later, as word gets out about what you had missed, you wonder why and maybe even kick yourself a little?
Tomorrow I leave for the 4th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition and there’s still a lot to do (books to get ready, see below*), so I won’t say much more. Except that, when I think about what I still have to do, I can only imagine what lies in front of Bill Valavanis and his tireless crew.
But I’m not worried. I’ll finish up here and pull out of my driveway tomorrow morning and Bill and and his friends will do what they have to do and open the doors Saturday morning.
Meanwhile, there are these photos that Bill sent us at 12:07am this morning…
Bill Valavanis and his happy band of brothers (and sisters) with the new road sign.
This blank slate awaits the vendors and their wares. Having been a vendor (not this time, though some of our books will be available*), there’s a lot I could say about how much goes into it (a whole lot). You can show your appreciation by showing up and doing a little shopping.
Another blank slate. I can only imagine how they get from this…
…to this. With miles to go before they sleep.
A glimpse of the process. Looks like some little trees for a Shohin display on the cart. There’s a finished shohin display in the distance.
Here they are again. Just a brief respite.
The welcoming garden. This is what you’ll see first when you show up this weekend.
There’s still time to get up and head to Rochester for the 4th U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition. I look forward to seeing you there!
* For you bonsai book lovers, I’m pricing and loading up a bunch of books (including many out of print) for Bill’s indomitable crew to sell. These should help a little with the Exhibiton’s expenses (we split the proceeds, which should help a little with my expenses too).