Weekly Feature: Hidden Gems

This week's Hidden Gem: Daffodil Hill

I would never have believed it had I not seen it with my own two eyes.

I thought I had died and gone to Heaven it was so beautiful.

Believe it or not, my Aunt, Sister, and I had just come from my Uncle's funeral when my Sister said we should cruise by 'Daffodil Hill' at Lakeview Cemetery. It was that perfect time of the year.

I did not know how well that would go over with my Aunt, but once we saw the whole hillside, it was the right choice and well worth it.

I am in awe of Lakeview Cemetery and have always been. I get weird looks when I speak of taking so-called 'field trips' to the cemetery periodically but that's ok. I even went on a date there--and it was delightful.

It's been around since 1869. Going to Hiram College, I have a warm place in my heart for James A. Garfield, who is buried at Lakeview Cemetery, among others such as Eliot Ness, Rockefeller, and Ray Chapman--the Cleveland Indian shortstop killed after being hit in the head with a baseball during a Yankee-Indian game back in 1920.

Lakeview Cemetery as a whole can be, and one day will be another one of my Hidden Gems, but today I am focusing on 'Daffodil Hill.'

When you enter the cemetery, they have signs pointing out the flower tour. You follow the arrows and after seeing the beautiful horticulture throughout, come upon the most amazing hillside covered with thousands of yellow daffodils.

I've heard this hill has been blossoming since the 1940's.

I could not believe my eyes. It was intoxicating and unbelievable.

I am so glad I got the chance to experience this phenomenon with my own eyes this year.

Seeing it once, this will be a yearly pilgrimage for me each and every spring.

Please, if you have not made your way through Lakeview Cemetery, it's quite the exquisite adventure. But, I hope you definitely take time to drive through next spring and take a gander at 'Daffodil Hill.' Then, you too, will see why it is this week's Hidden Gem!

Opening Day 2010

Cleveland Indians' Baseball Season 2010 has arrived!

This is the one day all season it really does not matter if the Indians win or lose, though winning is the cherry on top!

Baseball season kicks off and all teams are equal, at least for a few days.

The fan fare leading up to and just before the game oftentimes is more entertaining then the Major League Baseball Game itself.

Seeing baseball legend Bob Feller standing on the pitcher's mound and fire a strike into Sandy behind the plate brought chills.

This year proves to be interesting to say the least.

No matter how my Indians do, we have a whole new system, manager, coaching staff including Sandy Alomar Jr., and a bunch of young, new players who will be playing their hearts out.

The weather was perfect!

A time to see the new things at the ballpark, re-connect with 'baseball buddies' in your section, and just enjoy an afternoon in the Springtime air.

On a personal note, a bittersweet day since it will be the first Opening Day without Mom by my side....but there were plenty of my co-workers at the field to pull me through!

Texas wound up beating Cleveland 4-2, but honestly, the excitement of the day overshadowed the final score--at least for today!

Because Cleveland Indians' baseball is back in session!

Weekly Feature: Hidden Gems

Today's Hidden Gem: Ohio's Changing Seasons

Sometimes we take the changing seasons for granted. Other times we groan when our less-liked season approaches.

It is November 6, 2008 and still in the 70's. Sitting on my porch draped in the sun's grasp, the sweat beads begin forming on my brow. Then driving around from neighborhood to neighborhood, the trees a true sign of the greatness of a higher being and Mother Nature's grasp.

Each tree, clutching the one just beside it, forms a perfect rainbow of all the colors in the spectrum. Each tree, each leave --a different shade and color. No two alike.

I've said this before and I'll say it again (even in January and February)--I'd rather live in a city with the changing seasons than a city with no seasons at all!

I have family down in Florida. My best friend currently lives in Tampa, Florida. I will never get over the concept and the visuals of being in Florida in December wearing shorts and flip flops, surrounded by decorated palm trees and Santa Claus in his bathing suit! I may need a therapy session to get the vision of Santa in his skivee's out of my head. The seasons divide the year into four sections, based on the periodic weather changes.

We are currently experiencing Autumn (yet more like Indian Summer). Autumn skates into Winter, which catapults into Spring and then Summer.

Each season has its own beauty, its own character, and depending on what exact time of the season, each is 'my favorite!'

This particular time when the trees still have all their leaves and their amazing array of colors is my favorite Autumnal moment.

Then we experience those 'snow globe' memories when the snow flakes (no two are alike) coat the earth with a fine covering making you think you are a scene from 'It's a Wonderful Life' or 'White Christmas.'

Mom had a great point about Spring the other day. The cold weather is getting to her but she still loves the changing seasons. I asked her if Spring is her favorite? She said actually no. During the beginning of Spring, the earth is still dead, the grass is brown and flowers have not yet awaken. Towards the end of Spring is when this season really comes to life.

And then Summer, for me, is great! At times, Cleveland can get way too hot and humid. But I exude that 'tropical' feel!

Yes, we truly are lucky to be able to experience all four seasons through the course of each year.

Hopefully, you can find a glimmer during each season and learn to enjoy and celebrate what we have right in our own backyards!!

As we slide from season to season, I hope you too, will see why I've chosen Ohio's Changing Seasons as this week's Hidden Gem!