Rose Notes

Petal Power

 
Let others hail the rising sun: I bow to that whose course is run.

~ David Garrick

~

Yes, I love to show you pretty faces, and this one, not the usual, but she struck me as sublime– surrender with a flourish.

~

Artist Husband's Love

Rose petals also surrender for my husband. Leroy Parker, instituted handmade paper making at San Jose State University twenty-six years ago. He adores the medium and especially loves imbedding rose petals in the pulp, which he makes from kozo, iris, flax, palm, pineapple, and other exotic fibers. He does all sorts of things with the paper and even lets me use it.

After Christmas, I always wish I had sent cards to people I love. I never seem to be in the spirit or have the time during the holidays. This year I thought that if I start early maybe I could swing it.

I'm not sure how this card on a string idea evolved, but now I can't stop making them. Hung on the wall, they're little art works. Each one is different too. But oops, I put six in the mail today– how can I possibly wait until December? And how nice to see rose petals in January.

 

PHOTO SET-UP

I know this is really a boring picture, but I thought some of you might want to see how I coaxed a little more light out of an overcast morning.

 

 

Rose Refresher

For a contrast to my last post on tired winter roses, I searched my files for what I remembered as kind of a generic, yet colorful photo session. Ninety images of pretty much the same thing, surprisingly offered up some cheer and a few nice compositions.
 

It started with a fake backdrop for about 30 shots.

 

Then I turned myself around and used the yellow wall- ummm.

 

Did you know that it's now spring-time in Australia?

 

In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy.

~ William Blake

 

Happy Monday morning !

 

Winter Roses

 

 

Before they said

good-by,

they said

hello

one more time.

.

Artist husband brings in winter roses until they breathe their last. These are shots from his almost-final bouquet of the season. Photographed in December.

 

 

Sweet Peas On Their Way

You might like to know that as the bouquet ages, Painted Lady sweet peas fade to a vintage lavender. These were photographed after five days in the house.

I enjoyed receiving all your requests for seeds.

There are a few left if anyone out there would like a little packet of seeds.

You probably already know this, but I'm going to remind you anyway– soak the seeds before planting, for quicker germination.

I mailed most of the packets yesterday.

 

Sweet Peas for You

 

Last summer I went out each day, for a couple of weeks, and gathered seeds for you.

I relished taking descriptive photos, but never got around to my real purpose.

 

I know it's late, but if you can't plant them this year they will keep.

 

If you'd like a little seed bundle from my garden, email me at carolynparker71@hotmail.com, and I'll send you my address. Then please send me a stamped, self-addressed envelope– the seeds will be in the mail to you soon after.

 

Let me know if you want Lavender sweet peas,

Painted Lady sweet peas, or both!

You pray in your distress and in your need; would that you might pray in the fullness of your joy and in your days of abundance.

~ Kahlil Gibran

 

 

Yellow Rose

I really just want to be warm yellow light that pours over everyone I love.

~ Conor Oberst

I don't remember taking this photo and have no idea who it is. Serendipity found it for you and me, with love.

 

Clematis 'Candida'

Clematis vines are lush creatures that look heavenly with roses. Mine tend to limp along though since I don't seem to posess their how-to-make-me-thrive secrets.

I can coax them to pose however.

You'd never know this is a wimpy, too-small bloom, would you?

It was one of those end-of-season stragglers, that I couldn't help but pluck. Curled into a pretty glass on a black background, the bloom summoned my camera reflex and gratitude for small wonders.

*     *    

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.

~ John F. Kennedy

*

Artist husband and I went 3-for-1 calendar shopping today at Pegasus in Berkeley. The above quote came from a little pocket calendar I got. The pictures are from mid-summer.