Kindred Spirits Who Never Met

  While the New Dawn rose was dubbed "Grandmother's rose" by my grandfather, there is another rose in the garden that could have the same moniker.  Another favorite rose is an unnamed (at least to me) cluster rose that ambles across the fence.  Its true rosy pink blooms are only about two inches in diameter but burst out in clusters of ten to twenty blooms.  The flowers tend to stay intact longer than the larger roses and have a heavenly true rose scent.  This rose was my other grandmother's...my paternal grandmother.  She was a hard working farm lady that loved her flowers.   According to my uncles and Pop, this rose was probably her favorite since it was long lasting and bloomed profusely.  

  The rose was given to me by my uncle before he passed away about ten years ago and it now has a place of honor in my rose garden.  My paternal grandmother died before I was born but I share a distinct love of plants with her.  It is as if we are kindred spirits that never met.  

  Both roses are heirloom roses that were grown in cottage gardens of days past.  Cottage gardens were sort of informal gardens where masses of all sorts of blooming plants were planted.  The roses were left to ramble where they may as were other plants both ornamental and edible.  While the gardens were a visual delight, most had a smattering of herbs and vegetables planted alongside of the ornamentals.  Cottage gardens were usually tended by the lady of the house and were her "escape" from the household doldrums.  With lush blooms, the scents alone were usually enough to brighten the spirits but add a cup of tea made from the herbs in the garden and things were simply perfect! For a while, cottage gardens had fallen from favor but it is good to see that they are making a comeback in recent years.  Folks are falling in love with the charm of cottage gardens and roses like those of my grandmothers' are finding their place in the garden once again.

Friends of the Feathered Sort

  I have always said that most of my "best" friends are of the critter sort.  I am not sure why I feel more at ease with them but I welcome a visit from them far quicker than I do most people.  It is not that I do not like people, I guess I just do not like all of the whining that comes along with them.  PLUS...critters do not have the gall to come knocking at my door without letting me know ahead of time...people do.  Of course, it would be just as strange to have a critter call me requesting a visit as it would be having one knock at my door.  Still, I do feel a harmony with critters that I do not with people.  That said, I must explain that I could narrow this down a bit further and say that I bond with birds even quicker than with the furry sort of animals.  Don't ask why since I have no answer.  It seems that birds have no fear of me and know that  my presence does not give them reason to be startled.

  Down near the pier, several of the herons have decided that I am indeed "one of them".  They linger nearby as I watch the sunrises or fish.  If, per chance, I throw the net, they realize that they will get their share of my catch so the birds move in closer.  Hand feeding them is not out of the question either but I admit that I do have to watch my fingers as some of them are not too good at aiming!  That bill will just as soon snatch a finger as a minnow.

  This lovely specimen of a heron traipses about the mudflats and shallows as it hunts for its breakfast.  Once in a while, the bird will come near, cock his head to one side and appear to be taking in my every word. (Yes, I do talk to them but have yet to have one converse back other than a few squawks!)  It is probably more in keeping with the possible snack but it is nice to think that at least the bird listens to me and is not here to just whine.  Wishful thinking...huh?  I welcome their visits.