This rose bush was here when we first moved in. So it’s at least 18 years old. Given the state of it even then, I suspect it’s been here much, much longer. The changes it has seen over those years. Some good, some bad, some happy, some sad. It’s in a really annoying place. Right next to the front door. Constant pruning required to stop your arms and legs getting lacerated just trying to get into your own home. I dread to think how many times it’s been smashed and broken by washing machine and furniture deliveries. It’s regularly attacked by the local wildlife and pets. So yes it’s had a challenging life.
Yes it’s a tad battered. The roses are never perfect these days. Always a little worn at the edges. The foliage is getting a little thin in places. But it’s still here. Just like we are. I can’t speak for you but in my case I am so like this bush. A bit old. The body has taken one too many hits. Definitely battered and a little frayed round the edges. You could even argue that I’m starting to take root. But currently I am still here. Still trying to live. I will give thanks for that.
Is it fragrant? I have a rose that looks quite similar, except it’s pink, and it’s fragrance is my balm every summer. Glad, like the rose, you’re still here. I know that during my darkest times it’s been my son who’s pulled me through. His needing me.
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It did have a strong fragrance but that has now faded over the last few years. Yes Son has done that for me as well. He has been the only guiding light most days. x
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What a perfect metaphor! You forgot to add the part about roses being beautiful, no matter how battered or “imperfect” they are. Oh, and the part about how they always cheer one up to see or smell them.
Yes, I think you ARE like that rose bush. Guarding, and bringing cheer to the entrance to home.πΉπ
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Yes I did miss the obvious bit off. Your are so right. xx
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I think King Ben’s Grandma is right – great metaphor! And even imperfect they are beautiful (just like all of us π )
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Thank you Robyn x
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It is watching over you and your son. Magnificent. π₯
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Letβs hope so x
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Resilient spirit! Both you and the rose bush.
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The bush certainly does, mine a little wavering. x
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Stay strong!
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Thank you
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Youβre welcome π
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π
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Like you, when we moved into our present home in 2008, there was a space in our backyard that kept growing both lilies and maple twigs. Not sure why, but for the first two summers, I kept mowing them down. I think my partner wanted to put her kind of flowers there. Despite my destructive intentions, both species kept trying to grow. Finally in year three I gave up, built a flower bed over them, and sang “Que Sera Sera” over them. The lilies were the first to blossom, beautiful orange petals (not quite tiger lilies), with very thick stems and over 30 flowers per head head. They are incredible. But the maple twigs were what surprised us most. They grew into a beautiful bush, now over 10 feet tall, and about 15 feet wide. Late in July the leaves turn a fire-red, and stay that way for a few weeks before they start to fall. Along with an elm tree, and Russian Olive that were still young when we moved in, we now have what I consider the most beautiful back yard in town.
We are so glad they never gave up trying to grow, and that I had no real idea how to kill them. We have planted a number of other trees and bushes since then, dogwoods, pines, lilacs, saskatoons, even an amur maple to offset the maple bush. Mother nature knows what she wants and where. And we are happy to oblige.
Your rosebush looks beautiful, Gary, enjoy it while you can.
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I certainly will. Often take a mug out and sit and look at it for a while.
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fyi: i just tried to send you a comment and Q via the wp form. Apologies if it went twice, though it doesn’t look like it went at all.
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Will look out for it.
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Amazing resilience!
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It is.
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Lol ππ… lacerated coming into own home
Awww they still look beautiful. They are roses πΉ they always have beauty and smell good even when battered. Roses are hardy and also classic
Funny itβs by the front door greeting you though … you make it sound so funny
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Yes it our little house warming device.
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Perfect analogy. Resilience and beauty my friend. Thinking of you x
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Thank you Claire x
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Nothing to do with roses. I came across this website which you might find useful in your quest for things gluten-free. Once you’ve got the starter sorted, it’s relatively easy to make all manner of gluten-free, sour-dough goodies. It might also be a nice project to do with your son. Kids find the starter fascinating. https://georgeats.com/recipes/gluten-free-sourdough-bread-recipe-vegan-fodmap-friendly/
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Thanks will order some quinoa flour. Going to try this. x
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Iβll look forward to reading how you get on.
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Thank you
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Love the rose and your words are perfect ππΉ
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Thank you for your kind words. x
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Thanks
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Love this post. We all find ourselves in things that way.
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I think we all do. I guess the secret is to find a way of surviving and still doing what comes naturally to us as well. X
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It is. To do that you need to keep your heart and mind open to the fact and thought that you can. That is why the things like a simple rose…anything that way..and what you find in them, makes them more than just that simple thing.
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Yes they take on a different meaning. Almost an enhanced life linked to ours.
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They do and it’s nice.
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π
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It is the battering that keeps the rose going……..
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It certainly adds to its character.
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Is that why they call you petal?
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How did you find that out……
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Itβs our over surveilled (is that a word? Itβs certainly a thing) society, it makes it very easy…
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Cummings is watching you from his secret base in Barnard Castle.
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Can he see? Maybe he should find a way to test his vision…
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I hear the new approach is to try bumper cars.
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I love how you see the similarities between you and the rose. Think of this, what surrounds you is what you need or it has similar energy like you. The rose definitely reminds about your beauty, your strength, and the ability to defy all the adversities of life… still keeping your beauty but getting stronger over the years. The rose has also a comforting aspect, it brings healing to the heart, and supports the journey through sad times. A beautiful companion!
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It is. It does seem like an old friend now. Almost part of me. x
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It felt like it to tell from your post π
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It got a much needed tidy up today. Looks almost cared for now.
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Hehe π
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π
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Thank you so much for the visit.
I will be back.
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Your so welcome.
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I love your analogies β€
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Thanks xx
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Well I must say the roses still look beautiful to me. And Iβm sure you look great too. Your so hard on yourself.
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I probably am.
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Yes you are.
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π
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βΊοΈ
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Beautiful. A battered rose sounds so poetic. It’s not easy being a battered rose, but this reminds me of a song. (I can always remember a song. It’s a special skill.) π The song is called “Above All” by Michael W. Smith. Actually, I’m also really good at remembering blog posts. I wrote a piece on my other blog called “Every Thorn Has Its Rose” The song I’m referring to accompanies this post if your interested. βΊ
Hope your day is great! Thanks for the beautiful photos. The roses look lovely even if they’re a bit rough around the edges.
https://godskidspeaks.com/2018/03/16/every-thorn-has-its-rose/
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That such a stunning poem. Your blog looks great. Going to start going through it. Read the bit about the business. x
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Beautiful rose Gary, and I can so identify with your thoughts on this.
Hubby and I ‘adopted’ a tree in the New Forest. It was old and battered, with broken branches and nobbly bits, but it had stood the test of time through all weathers. We buried two bottles with message inside in the roots, and believed that as long as that tree stood, we would be together. We haven’t been back to check, it would be too far a walk into the woods now, so we continue to trust it is still there, a bit more battered, a bit more broken, but standing tall.
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Thatβs such a lovely story. It sounds a wonderful tree.
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It’s an old elm, and we worked it out to be about 150 years old. The bark was never cold, even in winter. We used to take decorations to it for Christmas and remove them at New Year. It was such a special place for us, an we always came away refreshed and less troubled.
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It sounds just perfect.
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π
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Such resilience. It’s a much needed quality to survive in this world.
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Itβs definitely needed these days.
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Indeed. Take care, Gary
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π
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πππ
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Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
MY WIFE SAYS THAT CRUSHED ROSE PETALS GIVE THE MOST SCENT.
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Very kind of you.
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JUST AS YOU ARE!!!! π
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We’re all a bit worse for wear, some more than others. but that’s not an admission. π Just means we’ve lived and like that rose, we keep coming back… even though the hits get harder.
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But we still try to come back.
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I like the way you told the story which somehow prompted your friends to add to it, find further meanings in it, tell their own stories. What came into my own mind was a scraggy climbing rose (Dublin Bay) that had at least one flower blooming for eleven months of every year.
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That works so well.
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