Things Are Looking Up

Since we had a late killing frost, I've been depressed. The garden has suffered not only from the frost, but from my bout with shingles last summer, and before that, a car ended up upside down in our yard, clipping a power pole and occasioning the frying of some of my favorite plants the fall before that.

But as of today, there is much more hope. We actually have a couple of our favorite irises blooming, and the phlox that I planted just to use up a packet of seeds last year have taken over a hitherto dull corner of the garden. For Mother's day I've gotten two hydrangeas -- a blue one and a pink "flying saucer" one. They seem to like where we planted them.

but what restores my faith that my efforts of planting annuals, biennials, perennials, shrubs and herbs is that we discovered new shoots on two of our rose bushes today -- on the climbing Queen Elizabeth and the climbing Peace. Maybe the other will survive, too, with some tender, loving care.