I went on a long walk yesterday and ended up at the Rose Garden here in Seattle. The roses were still just barely at their peak. They were beautiful, their scent intoxicating, the rose-dotted park a romantic novel. I walked around and lost myself in the world of roses. I took photos. I sat on the grass and took in the various scents. The sky clouded over, making for great photographic light.
I remember taking my Aunt Lily to this park so many years ago. To my horror, I caught her snapping one of the roses off a bush. “Zia, what are you doing? You can’t do that!”
“Honey, I just take a cut so it grow-a my home-a.”
And she went on to snap off another “cutting” with a big smile on her face. When she saw the disapproving look on my face she said, “Honey, so many rose. Look! I take just two o trree.”
“But what if everyone took a few cuttings? Two or three is already too many!”
And she laughed her trademark laugh, which made her whole body jiggle. “No worry. Nobody else here-a take-a rosa. Only me.”
Did you know that red roses are the hardest to photograph? It’s nearly impossible to accurately capture this vibrant color.
I am including an array of rose photos. I know there are many photos, but it is hard to not include all of these. I regret that the camera cannot capture the fragrance. You will have to use your imagination. Or better yet, if you live in Seattle, visit the rose garden. And to my Portland, Oregon friends and readers, you’ve got your impressive rose garden waiting for you!
I love the color of this rose. 
Candy Stripes!
Simplicity
Yellow Rose for Nora (her favorite colored rose)
Dreamy texture (These pink roses were a little past their prime, but worthy of a photo nonetheless.)
Three White Roses
My favorite rose reminds me of an orange sunset:
Beautiful. Mine peaked a week or 10 days ago and are working on the next explosion.
Wow! I’d love to see your rose explosion some day!!
Thank you so much for sharing Fran. It made me chuckle when you quoted aunt Lily… it’s so like her😂😂😂
OH yes, she thought she was the only one taking a little snip here and there. I was wondering if we would get kicked out of the park. I don’t know if the “cuttings” ever took. Maybe. She had so many roses growing in her garden. I wonder if she started all of them from such cuttings?
So lovely Fran, makes me imagine a “fragrance-catcher-camera.” The fading pinks reminds me of my mom’s old silk lingerie. I also appreciate your forthright and tough talk with Aunt Lily. Frank experienced that with a family member in Butchert Gardens. We are inspired to be more bold when our companions take advantage of the natural world as though they are singular in the universe and entitled. No more polite silence.
OH, Frank experienced this, too, with a family member? Not good. And we have learned to be so respectful of our elders, but I just had to tell my aunt that it was not a good thing to do. Good to hear from you, Jerry!
The close ups remind me of Georgia O’Keefe paintings, so beautiful!
Yes, you are right. Georgia did so many close ups of flowers. Her flowers were so sensual! What an artist she was! Namaste, Fran
beautiful ,thank you. I’m happy to hear that they still smell delicious, roses you buy
don’t have any scent at all. My all time favorite rose is the Ingrid Bergman rose, it has the best scent. ❤️
I’ll look for the Ingrid Bergman rose. Imagine having a fragrant rose named after you!! Love, Fran