Greetings from Richmond Gardens

I was awoken before 6:30 a.m. this Saturday when Daisy flung my jewelry box on the floor -- we're still not sure how -- scattering bracelets and things everywhere. So I am pretty exhausted, but I had an otherwise lovely day, since we drove to Richmond and met Cheryl at Maymont, where we toured the mansion which is having a Belle Epoque-themed spring and walked through the extensive gardens. Then we met Lin at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, where there are thousands of roses in bloom and the annual butterfly exhibit in the conservatory -- Lin had one that attached itself to her pants and had to be shooed by professionals with a paintbrush so she could leave. Both gardens had turtles and geese, and though there were festivals going on nearby, there were no crowds. We went to dinner at the River City Diner before going our separate ways. Now Paul and I are watching SNL with Adam Sandler and it has been hilarious, though we missed what I understand was an insane Kentucky Derby while we were driving!