Remember back in early and mid-Spring, I did a series of posts on the perennial gardens over near Lake Harriet? (click here to see most recent post). I found some delightful surprises that captivated my soul and I’ve gone back several times since to see what new has come up.
The biggest attraction of all of course is the Rose Garden which blooms each summer in hundreds of colors and types of roses. When it is in full bloom, it is perhaps one of the most beautiful places in the city.
I’d been watching the Rose Garden often during my daily runs around the lake and nothing had transpired since the last time I’d checked. However, Monday was entirely different. Sophia and I set off on a bike ride along the lakes and on our way home I noticed a blur of color as we passed by the Rose Garden. I wondered out loud….is it ready?
We rode our bikes the short block to the entrance of the Rose Garden and we felt like we were Alice in Wonderland. The roses were in full bloom and outrageously spectacular. In every hue possible, of pink, red, purple, white, yellow and orange. And not a single one looked the same. Each and every one was unique and equally beautiful.
It was such a beautiful site that I had to pull out my pocket-sized camera and snap away as Sophia and I passed by to smell and examine each and every flower.
I couldn’t help but compare the raw, intense beauty of each blossoming rose with my children and youth. A rose is so intricate, so beautiful and so delicate but not forever. Soon, it will loose its luster, wither and start to fall apart. It was a reminder to me that life here on earth is temporary. You’ve got to take full advantage of your time here on earth, doing the things you love, with the people you love. You cannot take a single day for granted or in vain. Or else the thorns of the roses will prick you.
Now take a walk with me through the spectacular blooming Rose Garden and I am certain my words will not be forgotten….Each and every day is a blessing for you to embrace and enjoy. Carpe Diem!
Wonderful! I loved seeing so many old fashioned varieties, especially the singles. I hope Sophia is gathering as many memories – of their beauty, the smell and feel of them, of the warm laziness of the air, the hum of the bees – as I have from my mother’s infatuation with her roses. What a gift that will be that you give her. 🙂
I have some kind of obsession with roses. They are so insanely beautiful and so unique, fragile and fragrant. I always wished I could grow them myself but only have rose shrubs. Wow, so your mother had a rose garden at your childhood home? That would be so wonderful. Where did you grow up? I grew up here in Minnesota but about 30 miles away in a suburb that has one big old Grand-daddy of a lake. I always remember the smell of the lake wherever I went. It is a very beautiful part of town but I now prefer the city. My parents have long moved on and live in Tucson, Arizona which I also love. I have never taken my kids to my childhood home. Silly as it is only 40 minute drive away! But I’m thinking this summer I may drive out there and show them my old home, the big lake, my school, etc. My grandparents actually built the house I grew up in. I have so many fond memories of my childhood. It seems like just yesterday! Amazing and a bit scary how the time goes by!
You wait till you get to be my age and look back – it’s freaky, I tell you:)
Dad carved out a two acre ‘homestead’ area around the house for Ma and her garden (and dutifully mowed its lawns, almost continually, in the summer). When I was a toddler her rose garden was just ‘bushes’, but there was an old trellis for a magnificent red climbing rose “Black Boy” (renamed, I suppose these days, if it’s still in cultivation), with the deepest, almost black velvet petals and the most pungent perfume. The bees were almost drunk on it, I remember. By the time I went to school the rose bed was unbelievably beautiful – four deep, planted a la Giverny, in colour swathes. She petted those things … and got two flowerings out of them, spring and autumn. The garden was wonderful, full of delights at every season, but it was her rose garden which gave her the most joy, and it was the rose garden I would be conducted to, no sooner had I arrived back home, so she could show me something marvellous that had recently happened.
I wonder what it looks like now? I haven’t seen it since I set off to see the world, in 1971. By the time I got back to Oz in ’83, they’d sold the farm and moved 1,000 miles north, to Queensland. I often thought of taking my Canadian husband to see Griffith and the area I’d grown up in, but there was always somewhere else to go, in our precious time off, and also, I don’t think I wanted to see someone else living on the farm – still the only place I’ve ever called “home”.
Wow, what a story! The garden and your childhood sounds magical! And you have been off traveling since 1971? Wow!!!! That was the year I was born. You are perhaps my parents age. As you see, my dad and I travel quite a bit. I feel so lucky about that! 🙂 I know what you mean about home. My childhood home is only 40 minutes away but I haven’t been back in 10 years! I want to bring my kids there soon to show them my past, my history. Yet part of me wants to leave it in my heart. There have been new owners for years and the entire area has been developed so it isn’t what it used to be like. But I’m still very nostalgic about it. We’ll see what I decide…
Perhaps first go alone … ? So I’ve been homeless since you were born, eh? My goodness.
Yes, I’ve noticed you travel every year with your Dad. I love that – I bet he does too:) I bought a van and drove around France and Spain with Ma and Papa one year – it was (mostly) magical.
How cool! I bet you and I would truly hit it off if we met. You sound like an amazing woman! Yes, I was born in 1971 and am a Sagitarius! Can’t you tell? Not sure if I spelled that right! 🙂
Dear, I would have no idea what to expect of a Sagittarius (apparently it has two Ts), but of you, I’m beginning to expect this huge unbridled enthusiasm and energy:)
I am in trouble too as my hubbie is a Sag too! At least he is the more mellow kind! That must be why it works!
… or the fascination?
Such gorgeousness!
Thank you!!!
I can almost smell them!
Aren’t they amazing? I am going to have to go back. It is so easy as I run by almost every day! I love roses, especially the smell.
OMG–how stunning! Breath-takingly so! I can almost smell them, as well.
Hugs,
Kathy
Isn’t it lovely?! And it is not far from my home! We are getting family photos there next week. Can’t wait!
Beautiful Photos – love the array of colors:)
Thanks! Have you been to the Rose Garden? I’m sure you have given how close it is to Lake Calhoun. What a lovely place! But I got eaten alive when I was taking those darn pictures. It was worth it, though! 🙂 Nicole