I think I know why, but figuring it out took most of the summer. Once I did, the solution was so simple that I owe her my most humble apologies. 'Belinda's Dream' is one of the classiest and best roses I have. Due to her parentage, a cross between the elegant Hybrid Tea, 'Tiffany' and 'Jersey Beauty,' a light yellow Wichurana Rambler, her silvery pink blooms are borne on strong, upright stems. Gazing upon her classic, Hybrid Tea-like beauty, you expect to see spindly canes beneath her, but instead her blooms emerge from a bushy shrub. Belinda is disease resistant (including blackspot,) blooms prolifically, and she even smells good. She was the first rose to receive the Earthkind rose designation. What else could you ask of her? Wouldn't you be alarmed if she suddenly started to falter? I watched her struggle this season and the last one, and I was...

My older daughter, known herein as the Diva, has started her own blog. I wanted to give you all the heads up. She's a talented writer, a yearbook editor, a voracious reader, and my girl Friday. I think she's the best, but of course, I would. Check her out when you get a chance. It will thrill her to death. This photo was taken when she was still learning to swim. She was probably five or six years old.

Summers like these have to end sometime. May I present our forecast for the next five days: Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 99° F | 74° F 37° C | 23° C 99° F | 76° F 37° C | 24° C 97° F | 74° F 36° C | 23° C 95° F | 76° F 35° C | 24° C 99° F | 76° F 37° C | 24° C Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Friends to the south, like Zanthan Gardens and My Corner Of Katy in Texas, have been battling bad temps for two months.  We now get to join them. People aren't the only ones feeling the heat. The Phlox paniculata on the left is one stressed out plant. (Please click on the photos to see them in a larger format.) See how the leaves are drooping? They are supposed to stand straight out like...

The comment on my sidebar about writing in the garden is true. I don't take my laptop outside, but while I'm working, cutting back, deadheading, and weeding, I think. It's a writer's truth that when we do the most mundane jobs like those in the Quotidian Mysteries: Laundry, Liturgy and "Women's Work", our minds are free to ponder. Our main computer is in the kitchen; all the better to keep tabs on the kids. When I can't grab hold of a word, or a turn of phrase, I open the door to the broom closet next to my desk. Broom in hand, I sweep the floor, and usually, my dilemma solves itself. As I worked my way through the garden, trying to embrace the weeds, it being Sunday, my thoughts traveled to the bible and how many of the stories and parables were told with farmers, vinyard workers and gardeners...