It's tough getting old; I think my testosterone levels are okay...my cupidity is failing though

Not stupidity, I'm still doing fine with that. I just don't have the same drive to acquire that I used to have. I still love pretty much all plants.. Pat asked me yesterday at lunch if I was planning on walking through the Orchid Tent. Every Columbus Day weekend, the NCOS, National Capital Orchid Society, has a show and sale. I did. Karen and I went today and I didn't buy anything. The plants were beautiful; I think there were significantly more flowers than usual. I was just happy to look at them.

View down into the Cryptomeria Walk at the USNA Bonsai and Penjing compound

I don't remember if it was 5 years ago, but there was a project here that included "limbing up" the cryptomerias. Aarin and I were responsible for the severity of the pruning. Our choices were not universally popular at the time but I think, in retrospect, we did the right thing. There is more light for the ground level perennials, and certainly this view down from the east terrace of the Administration Building is wonderful.