YELLOW ROSES

 Thank you for all the get-well wishes for Gregg. He still has a cough but is a whole lot better than he was and is on the mend. I have had no similar symptoms and at the same time, keeping fingers crossed. I hope you are all okay out there. 

Today I am sharing a few bright and cheerful yellow roses.  

On a whim, this being quite a while ago now as these are from my archives, I saw one particular bouquet of yellow roses at the local supermarket and decided to treat myself.

After putting all the groceries away, I took them outside into the sunlight. I liked how the green from the leafy branches of the trees looked in the background, especially in that top photo.

I read that in America and western Europe, yellow roses symbolize friendship and joy. In other countries they have other meanings, like enlightenment and wisdom for instance.

I was very happy to find these roses again. I hope you enjoy them too.

RIP YOUR MAJESTY

I added this at 3:48 p.m. on 9.9.22.

Little did I know when I put this post together a few days ago, to be published at midnight, that it would coincide with the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.  I found myself incredibly sad, like so many, when I heard this news.  

Queen Elizabeth II, then Princess Elizabeth of York, by Philip de László, 1933

I left England in December of 1975 at the age of 25, when I married my husband, an American, never having thought of the idea of permanently living in another country before I met him.  Over these many years I grew to love my adopted country and yet throughout my life, I have always admired Queen Elizabeth, for the dedication she showed to the people of Great Britain and beyond, over a 70-year reign. My parents felt the same way, and perhaps I developed my great respect through osmosis, through them, and through the stories they told me over their lifetime. My parents and I had never-ending conversations at a new 'royal event'.  They always showed their great support and respect of not only the Queen but her father before her (George VI), or "The Old King" as they lovingly called him.   

It's been a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs for the Royal Family, that we know very well.  However, throughout, Her Majesty remained steadfast and many of us will miss her, along with her wonderful sense of humor that was shared on occasion.  And, let's remember to try to walk a mile in the shoes of those we have little real knowledge of before rushing to judgement.  Difficult at times I know.  This is something I am trying to do, walk that mile.  A good role model is that American I married in 1975.

Though I don't usually put any world-turning events on here, as I mention in my sidebar, today I am breaking my own rule.  I found this just now and well, it says it all.  A sweet cartoon and I thank the gentleman who illustrated our sadness so beautifully.  Rest In Peace Your Majesty.

My photos were taken over several years in various places.  I found it very interesting to research their history, and have provided links to either people, or places, or moments in time.  

The cultivation of roses likely began in Asia about 5000 years ago.

 They were also very popular in medieval times and were often seen as symbols of power and courage, as well as love. Many medieval rulers cultivated roses in their gardens, and Charlemagne, in particular, was known to be fond of the rose bushes growing at his palace at Aix-la-Chapelle.

During the Crusades of the 12th and 13th centuries, it was common for knights returning from the Middle East to bring roses home with them from their travels. This may account for the spread of many Turkish varieties into northern and western Europe.People have been passionate about roses since the beginning of time. Paintings on walls and other artifacts depicting roses were found in 5th century Egyptian tombs. It is said that the floors of Cleopatra's palace were carpeted with delicate rose petals - more information at this link - and that the wise and knowing Confucius had a 600-book library specifically on how to care for roses.Another interesting part of history, in 15th Century England, the War of the Roses was fought over a power struggle for the throne.  (I am not 100 percent certain, but I think the photo above shows a Tudor Rose.  This particular one I took in Dartmouth (UK) back in 2015.) The House of York, represented by a white rose, attacked Henry VI, whose symbol was the red rose. After years of conflict, Henry VII assumed the throne and united the two symbols into the Rose of England, which can still be seen carved into the ornate woodwork in many Tudor era palaces.  The following shows a Tudor rose emblem.

Archaeologists have discovered rose fossils that date back 35 million years. The oldest living rose is 1,000 years old. It grows on the wall of the Cathedral of Hildesheim in Germany.  Its presence has been documented since A.D. 815. According to the legend, the rosebush symbolizes the prosperity of the city of Hildesheim; as long as it flourishes.Several species of rose are indigenous to North America and the rose was a favorite of many of those credited with shaping American history. William Penn imported 18 rose bushes from England in 1699. George Washington planted roses at Mount Vernon and Thomas Jefferson grew them at Monticello. John Adams is credited with planting the first rose at The White House and the formal rose garden that still exists today was established during the presidential term of Woodrow Wilson.Alexander the Great is credited by some with having introduced roses into Europe while others attribute the latter to knights returning from the Crusades of 12th and 13th century, as mentioned previously. During The Dark Ages European monasteries preserved the tradition of roses, and required that at least one monk be skilled in botany and knowledgeable about the virtues of rose. Later, in 17th century Europe, the rose became so prized that roses and rose water were considered a source of legal tender and could be used for paying the debts commoners owed to royalty. It also was during this era that Napoleon’s wife Josephine, a lover of roses, established one of the first extensive collections of roses at Chateau de Malmaison where her garden contained more than 250 rose varieties.Everyone knows that roses have long been a symbol of love, but the color choice also plays a role in what a rose symbolizes.  Also it is important to emphasize that meanings can vary in different cultures. The following rose colors in the western world are commonly associated with the following meanings...

Red: Love and Romance

Pink: Grace and Elegance

Yellow: Friendship and Cheer

White: Purity and Innocence and Spirituality

Orange: Enthusiasm and Energy

My information came from these website.  Click on their links to find out more if interested.

Our Rose Garden  - University of Illinois Extension

BBC: The Story of the Queen of Flowers

Earth of Flowering Plants

Flower Glossary

A FEW ROSES FOR YOU TODAY...

 and quotes to go with them.  I have added links on the names of those who wrote them.

“The red rose whispers of passion, And the white rose breathes of love; O, the red rose is a falcon, And the white rose is a dove.”  

~John Boyle O’Reilly~

“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”

~Abraham Lincoln~

“What a lovely thing a rose is!” 

~Arthur Conan Doyle~

“Just remember, during the winter, far beneath the bitter snow, that there’s a seed that with the sun’s love in the spring becomes a rose.” 

~Bette Midler~

Thanks for looking and 

may your day be a great one.

I HAVE FOUND...

I have found such joy in simple things; 

A plain, clean room, a nut-brown loaf of bread...A cup of milk, a kettle as it sings, 

The shelter of a roof above my head,  

And in a leaf-laced square along the floor, 

Where yellow sunlight glimmers through a door.I have found such joy in things that fill 

My quiet days: a curtain's blowing grace, 

A potted plant upon my window sill, 

A rose, fresh cut and placed within a vase; 

A table cleared, a lamp beside a chair, 

And books I long have loved beside me there.

Oh, I have found such joys I wish I might 

Tell every woman who goes seeking far 

For some elusive, feverish delight, 

That very close to home the great joys are: 

The elemental things - old as the race,

Yet never, through the ages, commonplace.

I Have Found Such Joy

by

~Grace Noll Crowell~

KINDNESS…

“Passing on a small act of kindness causes ripples that are never ending.”

~Author Unknown ~

FLOWERS AND QUESTIONS AND A QUOTE

Continuing with a monthly quiz I started back in June, after finding an old trivia book while cleaning up.    

1.  The Quarrymen included the nucleus of what well-known rock band?

2.  What were The Who called before they were The Who?

3.  Which member of the Grateful Dead inspired an ice cream flavor?

4.  What is the name of the only Broadway show tune recorded by the Beatles?

5.  What recording company released the first recordings of Elvis Presley?

Answers will be in tomorrow’s post. 

FLOWERS AND ANSWERS

Here are the answers to yesterday's questions.

1.  What American-born man became Prime Minister and President of Ireland?

Answer: Eamon de Valera, born in New York in 1882, became the Prime Minister, and later President, of the Republic of Ireland.


2. What American became Prime Minister of Israel?

Answer: Golda Meir, born in Russia in 1898, grew up in Milwaukee after her family moved there in 1906.  She was Prime Minister of Israel from 1969 to 1974.


3. How did Douglas "Wrong Way" Corrigan get his nickname? 

Answer: on July 17th, 1938, Douglas Corrigan filed a flight plan at Floyd Bennet Field in New York to fly to California, but ended up in Dublin 29 hours later.


4.  Where is Judge Crater?

Answer: no one knows!  On August 6th, 1930, New York Supreme Court Justice Joseph F. Crater disappeared.  After telling friends that he was attending a Broadway play that evening, he removed papers from his files and cashed a check for a large sum.  Late that afternoon he was seen entering a taxi, but hasn't been sighted since.  For decades people have theorized about the cause of his disappearance.  Was he involved in illegal activities?  Was he murdered by the underworld?  Did he run away?  Although Judge Crater was declared officially dead in July 1937, we can still only speculate about why he vanished.

A FEW BIRDS, A FEW FLOWERS, A SQUIRREL

These are birds taken from the deck at the back of the house.  All are daily visitors.  The Cardinal was the first to show itself.  

I have seen more American Robins up in the trees than ever before.  I only ever used to see them hopping around on the ground in the springtime, but the last couple of years they have stayed longer and pick a branch to sit on.  I'll often look up to see one staring down at me.

The Blue Jay call to their families, and a few minutes later they arrive.

This one looks young.  I saw another trying to get its parent to feed it earlier, but was being encouraged to feed itself.  The lessons of life had begun. 

A crow always visits during the day, to see what seed we have to offer.

On this particular day there were no others. Some of these photos were taken through glass and screen.  They give an interesting effect.

The female Cardinal turned up soon after the male.

She really is a pretty one, a lot of beauty in her  more muted colors.

Another American Robin on my neighbor's fence post.

My last bird is a Mourning Dove.  Their soft cooing first thing in the morning is my favorite alarm clock.

Lastly, a squirrel was once again chattering and urging us to go inside. The weather was perfect, warm but without humidity, and we had been sitting outside on the deck longer than usual. After we left three others joined him at the birdfeeder.

There has been a bear sighting not too far away. There were photos of it hanging over someone’s fence, stretching to reach their bird feeder.  We are in a heavily populated area, so this is unusual. I saw the photos on our neighborhood app. I think it may be time to stop filling the feeders for a while.  I suppose with staying at home longer than usual, I have been delaying it.  When the warmer weather arrives, I know they have enough food in nature, so our friendly neighborhood bear 🐻 is a good reminder. 

My neighbor's peonies always look stunning.   There are lots of our roses in bloom also. This was one of the better photos I was able to get below.

May you all have an enjoyable day, and thanks for visiting.