My rose garden has always been my escape and sanctuary. Years ago before retiring I often came home from work and stopped "for just a minute" to smell the roses. A spent bloom here and weed there soon caused me to begin to putter. Soon I'd be working with the roses, still dressed in my shirt and tie. My wife, not knowing I was home, would find me with the roses hours after I was due home.
It was my escape from the work stress and everyday problems.
Now, when I'm in the rose garden, my disabilities disappear and I'm whole like everyone else. I have a sense of accomplishment doing something that is unique in the neighborhood.

I think that when I built my garden the thought was in my mind to create my own world. The pathways wind on and on until you have gotten yourself in the middle of it and feel like maybe this is the real world and nothing outside, just walls of blooming roses, birds, bees, running water. It really is important to me to leave behind what can be a harsh reality.

Pamela, I can't think of a better sanctuary than your
wondrous garden. It has a feeling of a very beautiful
painting that is full of life. I thank God for gardener's
like you, that are so talented. I feel, the garden reflects
the beauty inside of the gardener. So yours is a strong
beauty, indeed.

Gee,I bet Adam said the same thing.lol
My sanctuary is the river.Out there about about 5 this morning,gently paddling upstream,watching the shooting stars and falling satellites.There was a quarter moon over our ten cent town but the air was so clear and crisp the skyline was awesome.I could hear the surf pounding on the shore about a mile away.
Then the dawn awakening began and the seabirds were on the move and the dolphins were swimming around and alongside me.Its a good life,a good life, a very good life.

THE WORLD IS GOING TO MAKE IT, SOMEHOW!!!-meant that-lol

Pete dude, sounds like you've found paradise. Give us the
longitude and latitude so we can join you guy. But seriously,
it sounds really nice.

yes I do the same ,, take several walks a day to view the progress of my roses , yes it gets your mind off the world problems.

You are so right, roses are a wonderful escape from this declining world but more important is that perhaps God is awakening you to something more eminent Devon. We are living in the end times, and Jesus did predict all these things would happen but it is going to get much worst than it is now and I am afraid that even the roses will not be suffient enough to sustain us through it. But there is one way that you can avoid such tribulation. If you are interested please write to me and I will be able to share more with you.
jklmur@comcast.net

I have the ability to work from home 2 days a week now. When I feel stressed by my job, I can either look out the window or go outside and look at my roses (they are my REAL job).

Today I cut the last remaining viable buds and brought them inside as it will get cold tonight. It helps to calm me and make everything else fade into the background.

Working outside is the way I relax. After a day spent around many w/ serious problems, going outside is my R&R. I also love to camp- no phone, no bills in the mail, no one knocking at the door, ah, peace and quiet.
Devon- do not let anyone give you some gloomy perspective on the world. There is too much that is bright and beautiful in the world and too many kind and wonderful people to become focused on the dark side. If you doubt it, just pick up James Herriot's books and feed your soul. Brandy

Thanks Devon.
And everyone else I can see that a question like this seems to bring out the best in you. Pete I can't believe that you can hear the ocean in your garden. I would so love to say that I could do that.

I know that when I have had enough of ringing phones, email alerts and cats who are trying to help me type, I love to go outside and hide from the rest of the nursery. Anyone who has been here knows that a person can hide for days in the Mother Block. That is where I go. Or to the propagation house to look at the new babies. So if the phone goes unanswered, you know where I am.

Trish

Trish:
What a pleasure it must be to have a beautiful place like Ashdown to hide out. I have the copier room or the ladies room!!

When I was growing up we always had a large vegetable garden and would can and freeze fruits and vegetables for the winter. My dad always wanted to have a rose garden, but he didn't have the time to do so, and my mother, while a wonderful housewife, was not interested in gardening. I think dad was always a bit disappointed about that.

Shortly after I moved to Florida, my dad passed away. It was a very sad time for me, and as time went on I couldn't shake the idea of planting roses in my yard. Well, once I started with roses, I couldn't stop. They soothed my soul. Since then, they helped me get through the rough times of raising my last teenagers, and the normal everyday stresses that we all go through. I don't think I could ever give up having at least a few roses.

Sandy