Stop and smell the roses...rose geraniums!

   In early March, my sweet daughter and son-in-law were thoughtful enough to remember my birthday with a gift of plants.  They and Son were about the only ones to remember the day and both gifts were gardening essentials...plants and a new rose arbor.  What wonderful gifts!  The arbor was something that was sorely needed since termites and hurricanes ruined the existing ones and, well, the plants are ones that I have been longing to have...rose geraniums. 

  I now have two large pots filled with the rose geraniums on either side of the front steps.  This is where I often drink my first mug of coffee so I am able to enjoy the beauty (and delightful scent) before I start my day's chores.  Speaking of the scent, it is said that the heavily scented leaves of the rose geranium have many healthy attributes.  One of those interested me extensively.  Supposedly, just smelling the leaves promotes cognition.  For those not growing the plants, the use of rose geranium oil provides the same.  I figure at my age, I can use all the help I can get!  So, each morning, I sit sipping coffee and sniffing the geraniums!  Oh, what the neighbors must think!  Even if this is not helping the brain, the scent is invigorating enough to get me up and busy! 

  

The Forgotten Day

   Once again, Son came through for me.  With the scourge (of termites) that has taken over the entire Gulf Coast, wooden things do not stand a chance...even "treated" wooden things.  My rose arbors fell to the mighty bugs.  I, along with the rose bushes, was devastated!  My beautiful rose garden had fallen to shambles.  Then one thing or another got in the way of repairs.  You know...things like hurricanes, health and life in general.  Each time I walked through that section of the Small Gardens, I was saddened.  I tried to support the rose canes with hogwire cages but it was not the same as the beautiful arbors.

  Early in March, my birthday came and went. Other than my sister, my brother and his girlfriend and one cousin, nary a birthday wish came my way.  Most everyone simply forgot or simply do not care.  Most everyone except my daughter and son-in-law who thought to get flowers...not the florist type that die quickly but geranium plants.  I am elated! They know I love my gardens.  I am excited to have a new challenge as I have never grown rose geraniums before. Then, Son, too, did a gardening thing.  He built a new arbor!  He asked what type I would like and I told him that I would leave the design up to him.  I am now a happy camper with my new arbor for the rose bushes and some rose geraniums for the herb shelf.  

  With kiddos like this, I have no reason to be sad about growing older.  They do indeed try to keep things cheerful and I so appreciate them.  I can reclaim my title of Queen of the Small Gardens and amble through the Rose Garden and Herb Garden with pure glee.  Now, you will have to pardon me while I go train the roses to cover the arbor and tend to my geraniums.