Not long after my mother died, my friend Martha, who blogs at Poetry and a Cup of Tea, told me she was sending me a rose bush called Remember Me in honor of Mom. It arrived while I was away in Chautauqua. After writing to Heirloom Roses, I found out it was okay to keep it in its original container until I got back home. Don dutifully watered it.
After I got home, we found an appropriate place to plant it – near the side gate in a very sunny location. I wasn’t counting on a bloom this year, but lo and behold, a bud appeared.
Then this.
And now this. Gorgeous. It’s quite a large flower. The scent is heavenly.
Thank you, dear Martha. I stood by the bush yesterday and thought of my mother. Your thoughtful gift brought tears to my eyes.
Yesterday morning, I was reading about Monarch Butterflies and their soon-to-be migration south. I lamented that I hadn’t seen one this year.
Later, I went out on the porch and there was a Monarch in the Chicken Wire Fence Garden! I, of course, ran for the camera.
So, so happy to see one! The markings on a Monarch remind me of stained glass.
What a beauty.
Birds and butterflies and critters. They make me smile.
I’m just about to finish The Heist by Daniel Silva. I’m in the can’t-put-it-down stage.
And we watched Dead Poets Society last night. Oh my heart. That movie is so haunting and beautiful. I can’t stop thinking about it. We are friends with Robert Sean Leonard and watching him in this movie, so young and so impossibly heartbreaking and wonderful in that role, made me cry. And then to add in the layer of now, the loss of Robin Williams, so recent and so raw, well, it’s almost overwhelming. I hadn’t seen the movie since it first came out. I’m so glad we watched it.
If you’ve been doing the Christmas Critter Felt Along, scroll down one post for the newest patterns.
Happy Sunday.
I’m so happy that the rose bloomed for you this year, Claudia! Your pictures of the Monarch are beautiful. Have a lovely day with Don, Martha
Thank YOU, Martha, for this lovely, lovely rose in honor of my mom.
I’m so glad it bloomed this year. It was obviously meant to be and how sweet of Martha to send it to you :)
It was incredibly thoughtful of her!
Your rose IS Beautiful!!
Martha is a very special person!!
She is very special, indeed. Thank you, Suzan.
Their is nothing like the scent of old fashioned roses. They always remind me of my late father, who always had a rose garden wherever we lived. I haven’t seen many monarchs this year either. So happy you were able to catch this beauty. xo Laura
Me too. If I remember correctly, it was about this time last year I saw my first Monarch as well.
Hi Claudia,
What beautiful roses!
We recently re-watched Dead Poets Society as well…beautiful movie…I had a similar reaction. And the loss of Robin Williams…still so very raw and sad.
Hope you are enjoying this gorgeous Labor Day weekend,
Cheryl
I am. Just got in from mowing the lawn. It’s pretty humid out there, so I’m pooped!
Such lovely photos on such a lovely day :-) The rose is stunning and I closed my eyes and imagined what it must smell like. It is a disappointment sometimes to see beautiful roses at the nursery and yet they have no real fragrance. I hope your Sunday is full of delightful surprises around every corner :-)
I don’t like it when roses have lost their scent from being over-bred or over-hybridized or whatever the correct term is. Doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, does it.
What a perfect gift for a gardener. Your mother’s rose is just beautiful, and I bet the fact that it bloomed this year is a sign from her. Hope you get many more roses this season, and enjoy the rest of your weekend…
I hope it IS a sign from her, Janet.
How precious that the gift of the rosebush in remembrance of your mom has bloomed so beautifully this year. Every time I see a butterfly I think of my mother who loved them so and one of my uncles told me that every time he sees a butterfly he feels like mother has visited him.
I wonder about that. Are butterflies visits from lost loved ones? I sure hope so!
A beautiful gift both the rose and monarch…I also love Dead Poet’s and love to watch it when I can…as a teacher it spoke to me deeply.
Yes, I feel the same way.
What a wonderful gift! I think gifts for the garden are wonderful…because they represent renewal and hope. Enjoy your day! ;)
It was such a thoughtful and wonderful gift.
The rose is so beautiful. You were given may little blessings of nature. Truly humbling.
Yes. And I appreciate them with all my heart, Linda.
How wonderful to have the beautiful roses bloom in memory of your mom and then to see the Monarch that you have been longing to see..
And the Monarch stayed still long enough for me to take several photos. Then, poof! He was gone.
Such a lovely rose and a beautiful tribute to your mom. Dead Poet’s Society has always been a favorite in our house. I miss Robin as if he was an old and dear friend.
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
So do I, Susan. I still can’t get my head around the fact that he’s no longer with us.
How wonderful. What a kind and dear friend you have and what a lovely gesture of your friendship. Such a beautiful rose and tribute to your mom.
It’s the perfect way to remember my mom, Sally.
I talked to someone recently who had worked at some very large nurseries in Ohio. She said that the breeders are breeding out the scent in most flowers because so many clients complain about the plethora of bees that “bother” people. Without the scent they hope for fewer bees. That was the most absurd thing I believe I had ever heard!!!! But, I do find it to be true w/ so many roses especially. “Scent-less” and senseless!! Crazy times!
That is a special rose for sure. I love planting something as a remembrance, or getting something to place in the gardens for the same reason. Always makes me smile.
Hope you have a quiet Labor Day!!
Beautiful roses..What a thoughtful gift. Still no Monarchs here or any other butterflies for that matter..Maybe there are too many trees ?? Who can explain Mother nature??