Roses

A beautiful red Rose (from Safeway, of course) to wish you all a Happy Valentine's Day, especially all those of you who have been so kind and supportive the last month and a half. That definitely includes my amazing friends over in England who have worked - and still are working -so hard, dealing with everything connected to my Brother's death. A major undertaking on their part, as this also includes dealing with everything in my Brother's house, a lot of which belonged to my parents who died many years ago. Of course, some of the personal things, including many old family photos, will eventually have to be shipped over to me. I am stunned by the thought and care that goes into every decision and act they make. Just one example of this is that Linda will take all my Mother's embroidery and material to her Quilting group, where some of it can be used in beautiful quilts that will give much pleasure and live on for many years, Another example is that my Brother's bike will be taken to iCycle (see info below). Anything that can be recycled is being recycled, the local charity stores are being kept in business (lol) and books and my Father's photos are being donated to a Museum,etc. . My Brother's historical arhitecture research is going to the City archives to be of use to others, including a few individual people whom John knew. Books are going to various places where they will be of value to others. Everything is being given to people and places who will appreciate and be able to use the precious items - and when I say precious, I don't mean of great monetary value. Just the opposite - I'm talking about things that have had heart and soul put into them for many years, that you can't put a monetary value to. Finding all the "right" places takes much more time, which is another reason I appreciate all my friends' efforts. Each decision they make is so perfect, it just leaves me in total awe : ) "Queen Alexandra College trains mature students with disabilities in their cycle training department to become cycle repair and maintenance mechanics and spend much of their time gaining work experience under the supervision of the full time staff in iCycle and getting the feel of a normal working cycle shop. There are many former students who are now running their own cycle business or working in the cycle industry in various parts of the UK." www.qac.ac.uk/enterprises/cycle.html Have a happy day, everyone!!! Forget the expensive diamonds, and learn to value nature's own tiny miracles, including sparkling water droplets : )

Another photo of one of the Roses I bought two days ago.

A very pretty peach coloured Rose bought from Safeway. LOL, having a conscience can be an expensive thing - I could never take "undercover" shots in stores : )

The small bunch of mixed roses that I bought recently have not lasted very long, unfortunately. A good job that I took some photos when I did. Amazingly, enough light came through my window on a gloomy, wet day.

Flickr friend, Jim (Garnite), I'm sending this your way this morning (May 1st), wishing you all the absolute best in fighting your lung infection. You have SO many people here who are thinking of you, sending their thoughts and prayers. Stay strong, friend!!! You, too, Linda! I've borrowed Tall Bob's link and words: Please join the For Garnite Group here: www.flickr.com/groups/1655195@N20/ and post your good wishes and beautiful images there. For once, I took a photo of a bought flower soon after getting it back home. A good thing I did, as every flower was dead a couple of days later. A shame, as these are such gorgeous Roses. A lovely flower for today, as IT'S SNOWING AGAIN, heavily!!! Just when it was feeling so good to be able to walk on ground that was not covered with snow or, even worse, ice. Can't believe I'm saying this - but I might just get up really early to watch the Royal Wedding after all!! Definitely had not been my plan, as I need every bit of sleep I can get : ). Just been looking round my place for something English to photograph for tomorrow's Wedding - but I can't find one single thing from England, except for a small "gold" brooch/pin in the shape of the royal Coach from 1953 to celebrate the Queen's Coronation.

Oops... forgot I had started uploading a few photos. Got caught up in getting a few things ready for a bus trip tomorrow down to near the US border. We (a group of Naturalists) are going just for the day, which makes it a long day with the journey taking about three hours each way! My memory cards are all deleted, my batteries all charged. Now have to see to the less important things, such as food, etc., LOL! The weather is supposed to be beautiful, and I am SO much hoping to be able to get some nice photos. Oh, I treated myself to six roses today - normally, I would never buy roses for myself, but a change from Tulips was much needed :) And it was my birthday - and I'm worth it, LOL! Shows how long it has been since I was near a rose - I totally forgot about the thorns till too late!

A macro from the beginning of March - edge of a rose petal. Was out at the Zoo for part of the afternoon, so I'll have some different photos tomorrow, thank goodness. Called in briefly at Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, which is quite near the Zoo, on my way home, but there was little to see. Hope you are all enjoying the Easter weekend, whether you celebrate or not.

A photo from back in April, of one of my favourite kinds of Rose - love these red and white "paint-splashed" petals. Every now and then, I just need to see something red to brighten my photostream, ha.

Posting a day early so that friends overseas will get my best wishes in time. Have a happy day, everyone! This is a photo from my archives, from way back on 16th October, 2009.