Our rambling roses are starting to come out. They're a little later than the tea roses, and unlike the teas they get pruned in summer after they stop blooming. They then produce new growth and that's where next year's flowers appear.
If you'd told me 15 years ago that I'd know anything about the pruning cycles of roses, I'd have laughed hysterically. We just never know where life will take us, do we?
Here's a blossom from another rambler -- a white variety.
Yesterday's weather was ideal. Warm temperatures, sunshine, pretty much the perfect day. I sat out on the garden bench with the intention of reading, but all I could do was gaze around at the garden. I just couldn't get enough of it. As we get older we become aware that such days are precious, don't you think?
I washed the tablecloths, which had lately been where I sorted all my slides. God only knows what pestilence they contained. I built the tablecloth monolith again and they dried in short order on such a beautiful day.
I also deadheaded the roses and did some watering. The weather was ideal for me, but it's still a bit dry for the plants.
In the afternoon I took a walk over to Kilburn and up the high street, listening to a podcast as I went. The barricades above surround the spot where the "zeal your zest" cafe used to be. Apparently they've torn it out and who knows what's going in its place.
I'm glad to see some Republicans pushing back on Trump and his plan for the slush fund to compensate the Jan. 6 insurrectionists. I certainly don't want any of my tax money going to those people. (I live in the UK, but also still pay taxes in the USA -- one of the joys of American citizenship.) I suppose Trump is now more vulnerable since many of his MAGA acolytes are questioning his decisions in Iran. Let's hope this translates into votes for Democrats, or at least resistant Republicans (outside the Trump strongholds of Kentucky and Louisiana).
Last evening, as we watched TV, Dave and I saw a tiny little fledgling wren flitting around on the patio. Well, "flitting" is an overstatement. Flying clumsily, more like. But it could indeed fly, at least, and it made a surprisingly loud peeping sound. I love seeing new birds out and about. Nature renewing itself!
Kilburn shot is intriguing. Exciting about the wren. May fox and cat stay away.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I do worry about the small birds with all the predators we have wandering around here!
DeleteI had to go back and see the tablecloth monolith again. I still don't have a tablecloth, it's just as easy to wash off the table nightly as the dishes get washed. I hope the wren stays safe.
ReplyDeleteTablecloths are just a nice way to change up the decor without changing furniture!
DeleteLovely to have roses in succession... Bee friendly ones too.
ReplyDeleteYeah, the bees can really get to those!
DeleteI think I have a red rambling rose, it looks similar. It also reminds me of a song that was played a lot on the radio in the late 1950s, when I was a kid.
ReplyDeleteI remember that song 😀
DeleteI remember that song too! In fact I have it on my iTunes!
DeleteCorrection, Nat King Cole's song, 1962.
ReplyDeleteThe rose pruning mantra went, 'Prune to an outward facing bud'. It never explained what to do when there wasn't one.
ReplyDeleteThe slides would be sterilised by time.
Now that you are UK citizens, are you eligible for all the benefits that comes with that, including a pension?
I don't pay too much attention to which way the buds are facing. We aren't that particular. And yes, indeed, citizenship brings all its benefits (but also its burdens, like taxes).
Delete"As we get older we become aware that such days are precious, don't you think?"
ReplyDeleteOh. Yes.....
It's probably good to be reminded.
DeleteNo-one put it better than W H Davies: "What is this life if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare."
ReplyDelete"A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare."
That IS an exceptionally good way to put it! Better than I could do.
DeleteEnjoy the garden, enjoy the days.
ReplyDeleteThey are infrequent enough in this part of the world!
DeleteThere is nothing like a perfect weather day, being outside and enjoying nature. I am hoping that with the mini revolt that some of the GOP-ers are doing in Congress will begin to turn the tide. Let's hope.
ReplyDeleteYeah, let's hope. I think sensible Republicans feel emboldened by Trump's missteps and declining popularity.
DeleteI, too, am enjoying the GOP, SOME in the GOP, finding their spines.
ReplyDeleteStill not as many as I'd like to see!
DeleteMaybe the super-loud peeping is nature’s way of making sure Mom finds them.
ReplyDeleteGlad you’ve escaped the library so you can enjoy the perfect weather.
Yeah, I'm sure they're staying in touch with mama bird.
DeleteNow Thats One Interesting Bridge For Sure - Pleased You Were Out And Walking Again - Life's Twist & Turns Tend To Amaze - Celebrate The Small Victories
ReplyDeleteBe Brave ,
Cheers
I do like that bridge, with its railway sign.
DeleteOne can pray. It’s a shame that it takes this blatant money grab and arc de trump to finally make some of the GOP stand up. And likely only because their constituents are screaming at them. But I’ll take it.
ReplyDeleteI have been praying for MILLER and DJT to go too far. Pray GOD this is it However two more years of this is still frightening Even if we take the house and senate back Miller has found many ways to corruptly grab money and destroy public monuments and institutions like the Kennedy center. And who knows what else is on his list. Until he is gone there is still the possibility of lots of damage
I hope their constituents are screaming at them! I agree Miller is an awful person, but there are multiple awful people in this administration including the man at the top.
DeleteGlad you are enjoying your garden. All of your hard work has really paid off, Steve.
ReplyDeleteIt's not as manicured as some gardeners would like, but we enjoy it this way.
DeleteFinally -- a little bit of backbone in the government. I wonder how he'll try to buy them out this time. Your perfect weather day sounds -- well, perfect. Yes, these days are precious and what a haven you have to enjoy them.
ReplyDeleteI imagine Trump's toadying speaker of the house will try to get them in line one way or another.
DeleteAnd every time things get a little dicey, Mike Johnson sends everyone home.
ReplyDeleteThank you for talking about baby birds learning to fly and about roses and about walks and about learning to truly appreciate the goodness around us even as evil abounds.
Thank goodness for the little things, which are really the big things.
DeleteI like how you're enjoying your little bit of London at your house, A nature center! I've recently learned to just sit and look and listen, on my deck. The birds and animals get used to me and just get on with their lives while I watch.
ReplyDeleteThe best way to enjoy nature! We forget how much of it is all around us.
DeleteEvery time I get really depressed about politics, something happens to make me feel better, and then something happens that spirals me down again. I long for the days when I blissfully paid no attention (which just shows my privilege). Ah well, at least I can enjoy your flowers without reservation!
ReplyDeleteEverything is a roller-coaster these days.
DeleteI can't believe the man's health (mental AND physical) is holding out. I feel like he's had one foot in the grave for months.
ReplyDeleteI hope my little Eastern Phoebes are able to successfully fledge. Perhaps Fred and Grady will be unobservant.
Well, he takes off for Mar-a-Lago and plays golf practically every week. It's not like he has no downtime.
DeleteIt's refreshing to seem some of the far right with some backbone for a change. I think it is terrible in just about everyway to have a slush fund like that to pay people Trump deems harmed.
ReplyDeleteThe president -- or the executive branch -- alone should never have the discretion to make those determinations. That's just a recipe for corruption.
DeleteAs it happens, I was curious about the weather your way so I took a peek at the Abbey Road webcam and saw all those people walking about with bare arms. A good sign that it was a nice day.
ReplyDeleteAs for the Republicans...I hope you are right. I've been a bit depressed for the past week just reading about that fund and wondering how such blatant corruption can go unchecked.
Yes, it's definitely bare-arm weather. I can finally wear my tee shirts out and about.
DeleteSavoring those beautiful days and moments of tranquility is what retirement is all about; I love having more time to focus on the small things. I too have gotten way more into plants and flowers, although not yet roses. Idaho got rid of a whole bunch of far right GOP Trumpsters in favor of less far right Republicans. It's not a huge step forward but it's something.
ReplyDeleteIDAHO?! The most right-wing state in the union? That's astonishing!
DeleteWrens have a flat donut shaped disc behind their beak kind of at the top of their throat that amplifies their voice which is why those little birds are so loud. No sitting out and enjoying the garden here. Rain, hot, and mosquitoes.
ReplyDeleteIsn't evolution amazing? The benefits of having that disc gradually guaranteed that it was bred into successive generations.
DeleteI can se why you didn't get anything done, There were too many distractions.
ReplyDeleteWell, I did a few things. It's sometimes hard to tell what's a distraction and what's a task!
DeleteBeautiful roses ...
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
They are very old bushes that pre-dated our arrival at this flat by many years. In fact I think they're 50-plus years old.
DeleteYour roses are lovely. I've never had much success with roses.
ReplyDeleteHopefully the GOP is finally waking up to the harsh reality. Doing nothing is beyond unacceptable.
I hope so too!
Delete