Wind, rain, snow and roses

God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December.

   So, some of the front yard roses survived Hurricane Sandy's wind and rain with minimal damage. But it's doubtful Mr. Lincoln (top), John F. Kennedy (bottom left) and Chicago Peace will handle tonight's freeze and possible wet snow with such grace.

    The roses were cut today and saved in a vase where their fragrances will fill the house for a few days before they too, will succumb.

    I'll trim back the bushes a bit so they don't snap during winter snowstorms,and mound around the bases with mulch and fallen leaves.That will protect them from the late winter warm snap that always has them-- and us-- thinking that spring is here.

   For almost exactly six months the roses brightened our garden. The first rose (Climbing Peace) bloomed May 5.