Happy you got some rain!

Rick, I loved reading this and something about the evocative nature of your writing made me feel what you were feeling, and very much as though I were beside you, not able to replace the love in your life, but at least a fellow gardener and nature lover, who can deeply appreciate everything you're describing, including those kitties.

Ingrid

Good post: thanks for sharing! And congratulations on your thunderstorm. As you wrote, they can be beautiful.

An enjoyable post, but more importantly, congratulations on the birth of the new grandson to the woman you love. Keep some for yourself, too, if appropriate. Kim

Rick

Evocative prose. Thank you for sharing your reflections. There's something about gardening which encourages both contemplative mental activity and journaling, I think.

I remember sudden, brief summer storms like you described, both in Texas and Minnesota. I don't know whether it's the electricity or the scent of wet soil or the drumming of the rainfall, but storms like yours always feel to me as if they're cleansing more than just earth and air. They're like a good, deep breath that reaches all the way to the center of the universe.

Congratulations on your love's new grandchild and congratulations that you have so many caring people (and cats) in your life!

In appreciation of your thoughts and experiences--
Carol

Thank you so much for making a post like this. I loved reading it. I hope you might do this again in the future.

Thank you all for the kind words. Every once in a while the stars align and I try to find the words to express what my garden means to me.

The fact that my darling wife has been away for quite some time brought on a wee bit of melancholy. I miss her much, as do her cats. But she is enjoying an extended and well deserved immersion in family, our daughter, our son, her parents and siblings and all the rest of her family.

Our daughter was married to a wonderful young man a year and a half ago and they both want children badly. This wee addition to the family; Miles Adrian, a rather classy name don't you think; is our second grandchild. But grandmama needed to be there for his arrival of course. We will both be going out west in the early fall, so I will get to meet and spoil him then.

I mentioned spending time with friends, none of whom have any interest in a garden. Wonderful friends, but my passion for roses seems strange and of no interest to any of them. Not one has come to see the roses in bloom. Hence, last night, I felt the need to come here to tell those of you who understand about the perfect storm that cleansed my garden and my spirit.

Thank you all for understanding and vicariously enjoying my beautiful garden with me.

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Smiles, Rick

Mad, foot-stomping, whistling applause here for your well-expressed, heart-felt prose on roses and philosophy and storm etc - no need for forgiveness - just hope to see more :)

Karen

Thank you so very much. That peaceful prose was a wonderful start to the day, 'way down here in dry Southern California. Bless you.

Jeri

Smiles back to you, Rick, and thank you for the rose and garden share.

At first I didn't catch that the newest grandchild was your very own, too. I'm sending extra congratulations!

Carol

Rick---your post touched my heart----I almost felt as if I were walking through your garden with you---I love a rain storm----made me think of one of my favorite songs
It is an old song with many lovely thoughts the line about the flowers lifting their thirsty heads to the rain is my favorite---Maybe you can find the lyrics on "You Tube"----the name ---"Twas just a garden in the rain"---I forget the group who sang it----I have an old recording of it which I still play very often

Florence

Beautiful writing, Rick. I know how you felt - being in that sort of melancholy mood sometimes brings out the most lovely flow of words, does it not? I'm sure you enjoyed writing this post and I am quite certain that we all benefited from reading it. Thank you sir! (And congratulations on the birth of your second grandchild, as well!)

Florence,

Thank you for telling us about your favorite song. I did a web search and found the version at the link below. What a gorgeous song. This version is by the Canadian songstress and jazz pianist Diana Krall whom I adore. Hope you enjoy listening to Diana singing your favorite song.

Anne, its good to see you posting. I hope your new house and garden are bringing you joy. And yes, I did enjoy writing this post. Lots of quiet time alone and a lonely garden, peaceful, calm and yes, a little melancholy. Much like Zephy's favorite song.

Peace my rosy friends,

Rick

Here is a link that might be useful: Diana Krall

Beautiful post and pics - congrats on your new grandson. Miles is a great name and I hope you get to visit him soon.

Beautiful post and pics - congrats on your new grandson. Miles is a great name and I hope you get to visit him soon.

Rick--I don't have Flash Player so I could not hear the singer you mentioned but I did play the Gene Austin Version---this was recorded in 1929 and includes verse and chorus----which was interesting---BTW---that was the year I was born---LOL the record sounded scratchy sort of like me-----LOL

Florence

Thank you for walking us through your day. Absolutely beautiful writing, it was a pleasure to read. Thank you.