Thursday, June 25, 2009

Sweet Surprise

In Oregon spring and summer can seem like a long-lost dream. The weather is unpredictable or it's raining. *grin* The rains aren't as heavy in Southern Oregon, where I make my home, but the farther north you go, the more rain you encounter.

My favorite "Portland" joke follows:

Last year in Portland, summer fell on a Sunday and more people got to enjoy it.

*heh-heh* Of course, as I write this, the sun shines brilliantly on my front yard as if to taunt me. Better not jinx the summer weather lest it turn chilly yet again!

People who don't live in the area often comment they couldn't take the wet weather. Can't say I blame 'em. However, they are missing out on the majestic result—the lush foliage, the breath-taking waterfalls, and the abundance of flowers everywhere. What flower is Portland most associated with?

The rose.

Not only do they have the annual Rose Festival, and the astonishing Rose Garden with over five hundred varieties of roses, almost everyone has a yard bursting with those sweet fragrant blossoms. Just strolling down the street sniffing the various bouquets is a sensory delight!

Someday I may take the leap, digging deep to settle those roots into the soil. How about you? Any experience with roses, either your own or in a garden you admire?

Now, a lovely quote to leave you with:

"Some people grumble that roses have thorns; I am grateful that thorns have roses." — Alphonse Karr

Check out the chat for the Sweetest Authors here!

Their guest will be Janet Durbin, owner of Whimsical Publications. The chat starts this evening, Thursday, June 25th at 8 p.m. EST, so pop over and say hi from Chiron. *grin*

Sweet contestants,
your next clue is here: Hywela Lyn.

2 comments:

Judy Croome | @judy_croome said...

It's so interesting reading blogs - always learning something. The rose as Portland's flower? We have a city - the judicial capital of South Africa - called Bloemfontein (soon to be renamed Mangaung). "Bloem" in Afrikaans means "flower"...and the flower most associated with Bloemfonetin is the rose!! :) And that's a bit more trivia then I'm sure you wanted or needed to know :):)

Chiron said...

Hi Ann!

What a interesting connection! I love trivia, so you can always share little known facts with me. *grin*

Thanks so much for visiting, my dear!

Smiles,
Chiron