Author Archives: johnvic8

About johnvic8

John Viccellio retired after 24 years in the U. S. Navy and began to dig into gardening when he could finally land in one place. He completed the Master Gardener course in 1992 and has since designed and constructed two of his own gardens. He wrote a monthly garden column for ten years and was a regular contributor to Carolina Gardener magazine. John published his first book, Guess What's in My Garden!, in 2014. He lives in Stallings, NC with his wife, in close proximity to six of his eight grandchildren.

Life Goes On

Posted on February 16, 2022 by johnvic8

I am saddened to post that My Arranger died on Friday after a long battle with Alzheimer’s and cancer. Hospice was there at the end to keep her comfortable. Sixty-three years and eight months of marriage, three daughters, eight grandchildren, … Continue reading →

Posted in Things I See Around Town | Tagged , , | 23 Comments

A Photo a WeekChallenge: FOOD

Posted on November 18, 2021 by johnvic8

What a great challenge this week from Nancy Merrill Photography: FOOD. I love food. Probably a little too much, but at my age, who cares? I have removed from my files countless pictures of full holiday tables before the kids … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Holidays, Nature, Photo Challenge, Things I See Around Town, Weekly Photo Challenge | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A Photo a Week Challenge: GATEWAYS

Posted on November 9, 2021 by johnvic8

This week’s photo challenge from Nancy Merrill is Gateways. I love to see creative entryways to gardens or within gardens. Here a few favorites taken over the years. Barnsley House, the garden of the late Rosemary Very in Gloucestershire, England, … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Nature, Photo Challenge, Things I See Around Town, Weekly Photo Challenge | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

A Photo a Week Challenge: Injuries

Posted on November 6, 2021 by johnvic8

Nancy Merrill Photography has given us an unusal challenge this week: share a photo of an INJURY. I had a selfie of my face all puffed up from an eye infection, but I have decided that would not be very … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Nature, Photo Challenge, Things I See Around Town, Weekly Photo Challenge | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

A Photo a Week Challenge: Vanishing Point

Posted on October 7, 2021 by johnvic8

Nancy Merrill Photography’s challenge this week is Vanishing Point. I captured a young man cutting the grass on a gargantuan front lawn of a local stately home. The cut lines give a wonderful perspective of a vanishing point. Please visit … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Photo Challenge, Things I See Around Town, Weekly Photo Challenge | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Posted on September 17, 2021 by johnvic8

A Photo a Week Challenge: Gates and Fences This week’s challenge from Nancy Merrill Photography is “Gates and Fences.” Gates and fences can be important features in a garden. I would like to share a gate and a fence in … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Photo Challenge, Things I See Around Town, Weekly Photo Challenge | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

A Photo a Week Challenge: Multiple Shapes

Posted on September 8, 2021 by johnvic8

Nancy Merrill’s weekly challenge is to share photos involving multiple shapes. This photo of an heirloom peony is a good example of multiple shapes coming together to make a breathtakingly lovely flower. The peony was a gift from my Aunt … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Nature, Photo Challenge, Things I See Around Town, Weekly Photo Challenge | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

A Photo a Week Challenge: WATER

Posted on September 1, 2021 by johnvic8

WATER is the subject of Nancy Merrill’s photo challenge this week. I am pleased to offer two contrasting photographs of flowing water. One shows a peaceful trickle in a Charlotte garden water feature. The other is a mighty torrent in … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Nature, Photo Challenge, Things I See Around Town, Weekly Photo Challenge | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

In a Vase on Monday: Loving Daughters

Posted on August 30, 2021 by johnvic8

No longer having a garden, I have not been able to participate in Cathy’s In a Vase on Monday meme. But my three sweet daughters have given my Arranger a monthly gift of flowers to brighten our apartment. The flowers … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, In a Vase on Monday, Weekly Photo Challenge | Tagged , , , , | 15 Comments

A Photo a Week Challenge: PROPS

Posted on August 25, 2021 by johnvic8

Nancy Merrill is pushing the envelope this week with her challenge: share a photo of someone or something that needs PROPS to tell their story. What would a great garden orchestra need but its props–its musical instruments, of course. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening, Photo Challenge, Things I See Around Town, Weekly Photo Challenge | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments