Roses.....

The pale pink roses counted up to over 90 roses that were in bloom, had just bloomed, or budding. The darker roses are all I will probably get off that bush this summer, maybe one or two more flowers as it gets hotter.

The ex-son-in-law and little boy worked hard getting the weeds out this afternoon after we made a trip to Lowe's and I purchased primer and paint for the front door, grass seed for the bare spots in the lawn, a new invention - a weed mat which you lay down over cleaned soil, dig a hole in and plant your flowers. The water & light will go through but the weeds can't grow. Also bought a couple of plants. While digging out the weeds, they found the remnants of the lavender that used to bloom so profusely and attract the bees.

Husband said he was glad the bees were gone - but unless they are yellow jackets, bees won't bother you. I love bees, they entertain me, but more importantly, they serve a grander purpose of keeping the earth in balance. Anyway, I could put my hand down in the lavender and the bees were too busy on their pollinating mission to bother with hurting me. I've been reading that the bees were disappearing around the world. This bothers my heart a lot.

One of my most precious memories was a trip we made up the side of the mountain in Albania, the eastern music playing through the hills. We were on our way to pray for a friend's sick bees. Those minutes of walking up the mountains, the music, the smells were heady and hypnotizing. In the countryside in Albania, I wished I could stay frozen in the moment forever.

There, honey was, and probably still is, an important dietary staple. Until then, I took honey's presence on our grocery shelves for granted. I began to realize how precious even the smallest things of this planet are and was honored to be asked to pray for the bees. I don't know the fate of the bees. That was ten years ago. I do know humans need to take care of this planet that we live on. If we don't take care of things, including ourselves, everything eventually dies.

Here's to life and the beauty of it. I hope my bees and dragonflies come back to enchant me in my flower garden. I also must talk to the cats about mutilating the charming little chameleons that hang out here occasionally.