Saturday’s always seemed like a day apart for me, not in the same sense as Sunday, a day apart with God and church, but in a “day off from the routine” way. Since Saturday morning my husband actually had a day off, we decided to visit the Japanese Friendship Garden in Phoenix, which turned out to be a marvelous choice. It was an unusually cool morning and we arrived not long after they opened, in time to find a parking spot and before it began to get crowded. Perfect!
Since Egidio chose “Music to My Eyes” as this week’s challenge, one of my favorite songs from long ago came to mind: “Come Saturday Morning,“ by The Sandpipers. It still brings that same feeling to mind, even when a Saturday is nothing like this. Here’s the first verse:
Come Saturday morning
I’m goin’ away with my friend
We’ll Saturday-spend till the end of the day
Just I and my friend
We’ll travel for miles in our Saturday smiles
And then we’ll move on
But we will remember long after Saturday’s gone
We traveled for miles to get there and come back and we certainly remembered the tranquility and beauty of the garden long after we came home. We’ll be visiting again.
On a much lighter note (so to speak), the other song that popped into my head was Paul Simon’s “Love Me Like a Rock.” Besides the obvious (rocks) here on Mt. Lemmon, these formations are called hoodoos, so naturally my brain took the following lines from the song:
I’d say, now who do (Who)
Who do you think you’re foolin’
and morphed them into a more place-appropriate:
I’d say, now hoodoo, (Who)
Hoodoo you think you’re foolin’.
That’s it for me musically for this week. I defy you to see a hoodoo after this and not start at least thinking, if not singing, my altered lines. You’re welcome! Earworms rule.
Thanks, Egidio, for a challenge I almost passed up but then had lots of fun with. Mine is a much more plebeian response than yours, layered with so many elements, and many of the responses I’ve read so far. But there’s room for all of us in the music/photography world. 🙂
Since we walked around the garden, I’m also using this for Jo’s Monday Walk and by posting it today, I should make the deadline to get it included in tomorrow’s post, right, Jo?
This, that and the other thing 
It does indeed look from your pictures as though visiting that garden was a brilliant idea.
We loved it and the weather was perfect.
Janet, music has this power to stick with our happiest moments. I’m glad this challenge brought these songs back into your mind. Your photos certainly showed the beauty we hear in the songs, too. How appropriate it was to lead with “Come Saturday Morning” and the beautiful photos you shared. What a nice garden! Then you go to Paul Simon’s “Love me like a Rock.” Perfect matches with those photos, again. I loved the road view between the rocks. I’m so glad you did not pass up on this challenge. Your photos and song choices are great!
Thanks, Egídio. Music often defines various moments in our lives, so that was a cool idea to link it with our photos, which can also have the same effect. I’m happy you enjoyed my response. 🙂
I’ve wanted to visit the Japanese Garden and looks like I need to make it a priority. Lovely images.
Thanks, Ingrid. I’ve been wanting to go there for some time and I like that they have reciprocity with the Botanical Garden. It’s not a big space but it’s big in feel and tranquility.
hahaha sing it girl. Perfect for the hoodoos. And what a contrast from the Japanese Friendship Garden. It is the most tranquil place, and to think in is in the middle of the city. Come Saturday Morning was the perfect choice for your visit there.
The very upscale looking apartments next to it must have a fantastic view and it would lovely to be able to just walk there. There’s also a beautiful row or two of houses as you come to the garden. They’re not very Arizona, more like California or Agritopia in Gilbert if the houses were bigger and farther apart. But it’s a beautiful little area.
It really is. The puppet theater across the street is fantastic too. They have great shows. Maybe someday when your grandson visits.
We saw that. It sounds fascinating.
What a marvellous little garden, Janet! Loved your music adaptations
I’m glad, Sue. The garden is just delightful.
What a beautiful garden, and I enjoyed your musical adventures too!
Thanks very much, Lindy. The garden packs so much into a small area. As with all Japanese gardens, careful thought and work went into every aspect.
I love your approach , Janet! Beautiful photos of the Japanese garden, perfect for these songs.
Thanks very much, Amy. You would love the garden. All the Japanese gardens I’ve been to are beautiful. I’m happy you enjoyed this one.
Lovely combinations of images for the songs you chose, Janet. Or was it the other way around? Hoodoos are cool rock formations. And yep, the earworm is here. 🤣
The hoodoo song just came when I saw the hoodoos. Not really sure which came first in the other case but I’ve always loved that song, that feeling, and since we went on Saturday…
It is clear that a lot of work and love goes into maintaining the beautiful garden, and the view framed by the two hoodoos is simply stunning!
The garden is definitely a production of love+work. Mt. Lemmon is one of my favorite places in Arizona and the one road up and back has been designated a scenic byway, so you know it all looks good.
The gardens look like a wonderful place to relax and unwind 😊
It was.
That garden looks glorious, and there must be a Paul Simon song for almost every occasion, Janet. Wishing you a happy week!
The same to you, Jo. I see you didn’t link me for the Monday walk. I thought I posted early enough this week since I posted on Sunday. 😢. How should I do it? I haven’t been participating because my link never gets on anymore. If it doesn’t work out, that’s fine. I still enjoy your walking posts, but I’m curious what I’m doing wrong.
Sorry, Janet. Totally my mistake. I didn’t notice this morning when I commented. Yesterday was a busy day and I didn’t get to see it. I will add it when I get home in half hour. Usually people leave a comment in mine with the link but I know you’ve had issues with that. Sorry! 😘❤️
It’s fine. I was just curious. I can do the link in the comment method and will the next time. Thanks. ❤️
I totally didn’t see that last sentence. Distracted by the Hoo Doo? Who knows! Sorry- it’s there now as I won’t be posting next week.
I got yours in my Reader as usual. Have a good time next week with whatever you’ll be doing or wherever you’ll be going. ❤
Just a bit of a jaunt in Spain. Not fully planned yet so I didn’t want to say too much on the subject. Thanks!
Sounds like fun.
A Saturday adventure with your guy to this beautiful place sure looks like a winner to me. Beautiful photos. 🙂
It was the best. I’m happy you liked the photos. Happy Monday.
The Japanese Friendship Garden is enchanting, thank you for sharing! I had to search YouTube for the song, I think I’ve heard it before. An excellent choice to go with the Garden photos. Loves Me Like a Rock – oh, yeah, that’s an ear worm song!! 😂 Thank you, I’ll be singing it in my head all day while I think of the photos you shared. Well done for the prompt!
Thanks, Shelley. 🥰. The garden was wonderful and I look forward to going again. Just wish it were a bit closer. We’ll have to look for something else in that same area and do a combination trip.
You’re welcome. Ah, it’s fun to find a location we enjoy so much we want to go back. Best wishes on finding a place closer that you can enjoy as much too.
A+ for creativity this week Janet! I remember both of those songs and they’re perfect for your post. And I’ll admit, I would NEVER have thought of tieing hoodoo and who do ….. superb!!!
The hoodoo thing is just how my mind works, Tina, so I’m pleased you enjoyed it. 😁😘
Nice post and musical selections for this post Janet.
Thanks, Anne.
😊
Wow! Beautiful pictures! I never knew about the Japanese Gardens in Phoenix. I will make it a priority to visit them, especially in the spring. That may be an excellent choice for a Blogger meet-up next Spring for all of us.
I will now always sing that song when I see a HooDoo! It’s perfect!
Enjoy your Monday!
It would be a fun place for a meet-up. Spring would be an excellent time to visit or any time that it’s not too hot! 🙂 Glad you liked the hoodoo rewrite.
Great photos. Beautiful garden! Love the song complements too.
I’m always glad to read you enjoyed my post, John. The garden was small but mightily beautiful. 🙂
Japanese gardens are sublime in their care and attention to detail. I love your photos and have your song ready to listen later. I’m enjoying this discovery of songs 🙂
Thanks, Sofia. I’m glad you loved the photos. I think they convey the beauty and serenity of the garden. Just realized I should have included links to the songs, not just the names. 😳
I thought I should have too when I’ve been visiting the other posts. Oh, well 😀
I recognized the Friendship Garden immediately from your opening image. It truly is a beautiful way to spend a Saturday, or any day. A wonderful take on the challenge, Janet.
Thanks, John. You’ve seen many more things in this area than we have!
Saturdays really are special, particularly if we’re fortunate enough to enjoy such a serene walk through that stunning garden. Thanks for sharing this bit of peace with us. 🙂
Happy to share, Hannah. I hope your week’s off to a good start.
I really enjoyed your post! Your song + event pairings are terrific. The gardens are beautiful. And now I’ll pair “hoodos” with “Who do you think you’re fooling” and….don’t forget “Hodor” from Game of Thrones….😊😊
Thanks, Patti. I don’t know Hodor because I didn’t make it past the first episode of “Game of Thrones.” Not my cup of tea…or maybe mead. But I’m happy to have given everyone an earworm for the Paul Simon song. 😁
It’s a the end of winter or the middle of Hawaiian summer, beautiful
Thanks.
janet
The earworms are set. At least I Iike the song. You photos are gorgeous. I love that waterfall. That could be a calendar page.
Nothing worse than an earworm of a sone you detest! 😉. I’m glad I didn’t do that to you. I think it would be difficult to take a bad photo in this garden because it’s so beautiful.
A lovely walk, for sure.
Thank you!
You’re welcome. BTW, that dress your link went to yesterday was just stunning!
Thank you, Janet!!
[…] Lens-Artist Challenge #297- Music to My Eyes […]
Love this! Very interesting 🙂 thanks for sharing!
My pleasure. I’m happy you loved it. Thanks for taking the time to comment as well as visit. That’s always appreciated.
janet
good
Thanks.
janet
What beautiful scenes Janet 🙂..
Thanks very much!
Great shot and songs that, they do go well together – love me like rock 🙂
That one would work too.
WOW WOW WOW. I am quite amazed at the nature here, so amazing, spectacular, very beautiful flowers and pictures as well🌸💯🌠🌠🌠💯🔥🔥🔥🌼
I love the waterfall picture, Oh My God, nature or should I say “Mother Nature” is just a delight, nature connects our hearts and uplifts our moods. Being out there in nature and even travelling is a great activity to embark on here and you and your husband had a time of your lives I can bet😀👏
Nature is something we all need in order to be our best selves. We had a lovely time at the garden and it was so relaxing and refreshing. Of course this nature is very much curated by people. That doesn’t make it less beautiful, though.
Thanks for the visit and lovely comment. I always appreciate both.
janet
Of course Janet and you are welcome. I was really blown away here by these Photographs ⭐🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
The waterfall is a nice capture. Keep up the great work💯