Years ago, I bought a book about the care and treatment of roses. Mind you, I didn’t buy it because I had any roses. Instead, it struck me as a parable, a guide to cultivating a good and honorable life. Every page was packed with tips on pruning and treating for black spot, which varieties were which, ideal soil conditions and identifying major pests.
All of it was a metaphor for my life at that time.
I immediately began making drawings and paintings of roses. Some less than intuitive people assumed this was from my longing for a white picket fence life. Far from it – nothing could be further from the truth. I just wanted my own life.
What the less than intuitive couldn’t see was that I didn’t want what I had, that I never wanted what I had, that it was never my intention, that I was miserable with it, that even though I supposedly had what every Good American should want, I was absolutely miserable.
Others may brag about their fame, but I’ve seen it from the inside, and I know what it’s really about. Yes, I know people who truly deserve every moment of it. I know many, many more who lied and cheated and stole and groveled their way to the top.
You don’t dare say no. You will conform — or else.
My first night here, I took a cup of coffee to the back porch. I was happy, relieved, exhausted. I spent an hour or so just sitting there, looking things over and thinking.
Then it hit me: the rose garden. It looked exactly like rose gardens I’d painted and drawn as metaphors for escaping the goo.
I started laughing because I knew then I’d done it. My life is finally mine.
I started this post because I honestly meant to write about the care of roses. But this is what came out.
If, however, you have some good tips on their care, I’d love to see them. I suspect my rose book is now gone because it’s served its purpose.
9 Comments
Very nice.
I’m so glad you are going to be happy in your doll house!
It was so strange, like a sign – which I suppose it was.
And that the book is now missing … hmm!
Biscuit,
What a marvelous story. I am so happy for you. Those thoughtful, quiet times are wonderful.
BTW, my childhood name was Rose.
Your childhood name was Rose? That is so cool!
I am so pleased that you have arrived at your rose garden. It sounds almost like a Beatrix Potter illustration – Little biscuit in her doll house, surrounded by her roses and her flowers.
Any possibility of seeing pictures?
I have to get a new camera, which I just haven’t done yet. Hopefully, tho, soon – very soon.
Biscuit,
One of my favorite You Tubes is one titled “Spiddal Sessions Part 1″. It’s a really wonderful video of the Waterboys with Sharon Shannon and Charlie Lemmon-all incredible Irish musicians doing Irish songs- they end with “Barbara Allen”. Watch it-for the Rose & the Briar.
When I get my new fast internet, I will seek it out.
There are many different types of roses. The hybrid tea ones are the ones with the pretty blooms and wonderful smell, but they are so inbred that they are easily attacked by pests, bacterial, fungal (the dreaded black spot disease), and insects. Unless you are very good with organic technique, those just require a LOT of chemical poisons to make them keep going. Remember, I am a professional chemist, and as such am not opposed to chemicals in proper settings, but for hybrid tea roses the need approaches the ridiculous.
The floribunda varieties are a little more hardy, but still require some spaying with antifungals and insecticides. They have smaller, but more numerous flowers. Not as suitable for cut flowers as hybrid teas are.
Both teas and floribundas need a lot of feeding. When I raised them I would take a metal spike and drive it under the plant with a heavy hammer, then drop in an ounce of 10-20-10 once a month during the growing season. That made them grow and flower well. If you do not feed them, they will spite you.
The antique roses are hardy, and hardly need anything but some water. Many are climbers, with either single or double flowers. I have a pink one that, even in the shade, completely took over the dog pen fence quickly. It is pretty, but blooms only about for four weeks, but it is covered when it blooms. I like it best of all. Warmest regards, Doc.
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