My bounty is as boundless as the sea, my love as deep. The more I give thee, the more I have, for both are infinite.

~ William Shakespeare

Rising at 4 a.m., two days in a row, to gather beauties like these for the Celebration of Old Roses, left the photographer with little "click & snap" energy at the actual event. The blur of beauty and bounty was enough-- pictures could never do the Celebration justice.

A day later, this concoction of blooms, which was part of the bouquet display, happily posed back at home.

Here is a detail of the background in the bouquet photo, above this one. The rose is Rosa Roxburghii, one of our rare and ancient rose treasures from China. Thanks to the Celebration of Old Roses, the public has the opportunity to learn about roses like this.

Many, many thanks to all the people who helped make the Celebration such a success this year !

PS it was really nice to meet many Rose Notes readers– thank you for introducing yourselves to me.

The artist is a receptacle for the emotions that come from all over the place: from the sky, from the earth, from a scrap of paper, from a passing shape, from a spider's web.

~ Pablo Picasso

This morning, was harvesting day in Gregg Lowery's rose garden (more than 3,000 specimens!), for the display tables at the Celebration of Old Roses. Of course I packed my camera, but it was really a distraction from the work. However, this spider web wouldn't let me go without a few shots.

I believe I will dip my pink and white body in yon Roman tub. I feel a bit gritty after the affairs of the day.

~ W. C. Fields

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My sentiments exactly W. C.

The day began with garden rapture that has no end-- I feel humbled, awestruck, and overwhelmed by it. The mad dash to make something of the beauty is not always the bliss one would think it might be-- gritty indeed. I almost didn't post, but thought you might like a small bouquet.