Kew Gardens’ digital light show delivers in London.

Palm House (above), a turn-of-the-century greenhouse, provides the ultimate setting

My crazy time in London (see January 17 blog) offered me a chance to see the digital light display at the Royal Botanical Kew Gardens before coming home. But much more than just a light display, Tchaikovsky’s classical Swan Lake creates sugar plum fairies and toy soldiers and helps us imagine the fluffy white swans on the lake in front of the showpiece multi-story, antique Palm House.

Kew’s imaginative winter wonderland provides digital delights for young and old. Plus, the two-mile jaunt winds through well-tended gardens aglow with imaginative light displays designed by London’s finest. Everything kicks off its first tour at 4:20 pm because London’s December brings total darkness ten minutes later. Along the way to help bolster the spirits of youngsters: hot chocolate with whipped cream, gingerbread cookies, and miniature mincemeat pies. Adults could choose from mulled cider, hot rum, or champagne paired with gingerbread, waffles, or churros (nice and crunchy, which I would expect to find in Texas!).

My iPhone photos can’t do justice to the array of colors or the creative pairing of twinkling, syncopated, throbbing lights along the path, draping the trees and far overhead. My daughter’s skills far exceed mine, but the urge to enjoy the evening’s festivities overtook our desire to record the sights. So, without stepping on others ‘ creative work, I will attempt to dip into photography from Kew and other sources.

I hope those who view this blog will consider a trip to London in a non-Pandemic future to see Kew Gardens for yourselves. It is a spectacular display that envelops and uplifts the spirit with music, color, and creative genius. Wonderful anytime, but there’s a reason it reaches out at Christmas and as the beginning of 2022 stretches out before us with promise!

As we move into February, take a little solitude, match it with hope, and thoughts of future joy in the year ahead.

There you have it. A roundabout comparison of language and a few tidbits tossed in for flavor. Next: I will finish my tales from the UK discussing Paul McCartney’s Lyrics book on display at the British Library and an interview he gave regarding the Beatles’ songs. Next I’ll address managing our habits for good or ill—how we can gear up for change.