In the Beginning

Old Fuzzy was pruning two of my rose bushes this week. They have been vibrant flourishing rose bushes until this year. For some reason there was a whole lot of dead in them and the roses were quite sparse.

As he took out the portions of dead canes he thought perhaps there was a pest burrowing in the canes. Something similar to a squash vine borer, except it was in the rose canes. Be that as it may, in pruning he clipped off a couple of the flower sprays. We put them in a beautiful vase, and I was supposed to put a bit of baking soda in the water to help prolong their vase life.

Being a forgetful person it was the next day before their aging beauty reminded me, and I think by that time it was too late.

However, something I have noticed with cut flowers—well, even flowers on the bush so to speak—it seems that it isn't until they begin to fade that their aroma becomes much stronger, even sweeter and more poignant.

Isaiah 40:8 "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth; but the word of our God shall stand forever. 9) O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, get thee up on a high mountain; O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold, your God! 10) Behold, the Lord Jehovah will come as a mighty one, and his arm will rule for him: Behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. 11) He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and will gently lead those that have their young."