Reading

 The extremely hot weather has given me a bit of an excuse to do nothing. No ironing (too hot), no gardening (too hot), nothing except sit in a cool room , just maybe with a good book.

I've just read The Paris Novel, recommended by Brenda, whose literary taste is similar to mine. The author Ruth Reichl was for many years a food critic on some of the larger American newspapers. It's a novel about Stella, who was left a cryptic message from her late mother, telling her to 'Go to Paris'. There are delicious descriptions of food, places to eat, dishes she enjoyed. It's a very well written book which I appreciate.

I've also just finished Lorrie's account of twenty years living in Ecuador, where she and her husband served as missionaries. It's a book that left me in awe of the way she lived the life, living in the jungle, raising children, serving the community, far away from family and friends. She portrays it beautifully. We can feel her pain and struggles, but at the same time commitment and Hope shine through.

And just in case you havent had enough of roses....

Roses

 Today's little joys.

The scent drifts through my room. There are six different varieties in the vase. That little touch of acid green from the Alchemilla seems to set off the richness of the roses.

What next?

 Whatever next??

Poor harmless Janet and John books, used by so many schools, loved by so many children, now have a warning. 

I cannot believe it. Yes, if you look at them now they have old fashioned ideas, Mummy busy doing the washing up while Daddy reads his newspaper. It happened. It was life. Surely we are all adult enough to realise that different times bring different values?

Do we really need a warning? And what next? The Flopsy bunnies pilloried because Mr McGregor was a nasty man? Winnie the Pooh books pushed aside because Eeyore had mental health problems?

I did have my suspicions about certain people in the Famous Five books though!

At last!

At last I can show you my Peony! I've been gazing at Peonies on several blogs and wondering when mine would open, Here she is.

I call her, for obvious reasons, 'Queen mother's hat', meaning no disrespect to our dear late Queen mother.

Or maybe a tutu worn by a beautiful Ballerina?

Sadly she wont last very long, but the gentle perfume she emits is giving me so much pleasure. And there are eight more flowers to open!

Outside my front door

 

I step out of the front door to this lovely scene. This is Dancing Queen, who has danced her way right across the front of my bungalow. The scent is mesmerising.

'Its the time you spent on your rose that makes the rose so important. You're responsible for your rose.'

 Antoine de Saint Exupery