A Rose By Any Other Name

Patricia Davids here wishing you a happy summer and loads of beautiful flowers.

 I have a passion for roses. I love the old-fashioned kind that grows in the back corner of my neighbor's yard and spills wonderfully fragrant blooms over the fence each summer. Sadly it only blooms once but it is worth the wait every year. Two large yellow rose bushes grace the front of my house. Sorry I don't have a picture of them.

I adore archways covered with climbing roses that beg me to sit and read poetry beneath them. I would happily share the space with a bee but more than two will send me inside.

Pictures don't do justice to these beauties in my mother's garden but they can sometimes remind me to stop and smell the roses. Things of beauty surround us and yet we hurry past without looking intent on our own troubles. I'm sure the roses don't mind.

If you aren't a gardener perhaps you enjoy the rose best when it come to your door as a nice surprise such as this "Get Well" gift from my agent when I was in the hospital last year. Nothing brightens the day for me like a yellow rose. I carried them in my wedding as my mother did before me.

I hope you've had a chance to read my latest book from Love Inspired. I'd love to hear what you thought about it, good or bad.

One Amish proverb says, "Don’t grumble because roses have thorns: rejoice because thorn bushes have roses."

Do you have a favorite flower?

Flowers of the Season with Allie Pleiter

Normally, I’m not much of a flower person.  I like to receive them, of course, but tending and gardening are far from my strengths. 

I was fortunate enough to inherit several patches of peonies when my husband and I bought our house.   The opening of the peonies is the official start of my summer.  Yes, June 1 was yesterday, but on Friday when my first peonies showed their full lovely blooms? That’s the launch of my season.  I think they are my favorite flower—and not just because they require no effort from me save my appreciation.

Roses seem like the opposite of peonies.  I have a neighbor who tends her roses, and there sure seems to be a lot of tending involved.  Don’t get me wrong, I deeply appreciate her roses.  They look and smell lovely.  They seem worth the work.  I’m just a gal who knows when a task is over her head.

My heroine Katrine from my current release THE LAWMAN’S OKLAHOMA SWEETHEART is a staunch optimist, and tries to grow roses in the Oklahoma soil.  It’s tiny details like that which bring my characters alive in my head and hopefully in the imagination of my readers.  Of course, that means the bad guy has to take Katrine’s roses away from her, but you’ll have to read the book to find out how, why, and how our hero restores that hope.

What’s your favorite flower?  Is there one that “launches the season” for you?

Roses and regrets--Lenora Worth

Hi. My miniature rose bush is blooming. It's really a running rose and the brutal winter seemed to make it want to grow and grow. It's gorgeous right now. The previous owner of our house left a huge statue in the yard of two women from ancient days, caring water jugs. I've always called this statue "Ruth and Naomi", because the women are walking and laughing. They seem to be sharing a secret that no one else can hear.

I love my Ruth and Naomi statue. The running roses love it, too. They cling to the two women and circle them in an embrace of roses. I've often stared at the the two, wondering what trials they suffered, what secrets they share. Their smiles are lovely but a bit naughty, as if to say "We'd love to tell you but we can't." I wonder if they've cried together and shared heartache and regrets at times, too. I always feel better, knowing Ruth and Naomi are surrounded by beautiful, tiny red roses. After all, what women doesn't love roses? But the important thing I know about these two is that God's love is all around them as they journey along a dusty road, and promise to always stay near each other. That brings me comfort when I have to come back inside and work while they frolic in my garden. Do you have garden stories or a favorite garden ornament that brings you joy? And do you have a favorite friend you can share both laughter and regrets with? I hope so.