I suppose a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, but some roses have very appropriate names. For instance, the Tropicana rose (left) is a wonderfully citrus-scented beauty with a bloom the color of the meat of a ripe grapefruit. Really, a picture can’t do it justice. This is one rose that really should be viewed in person. The deep coral-orange of the bloom is breathtaking. I have enjoyed quite a few blossoms these past couple of weeks from the last rose bush in my rose garden to bloom. I must say, it was well worth the wait.

However, the weather has taken a definite southward turn (or northward if you are measuring it by degrees.) This week we will see temperatures in the upper 90s and 100s. And while that is fairly typical for our area, it is not typical to be experiencing a stage III drought alert. We need rain and need it badly. We are being threatened with sanctions for overusing our water resources. This means no extra watering of outside plants, and so I must admit that my roses and other flora will definitely be suffering (rather scorching!) I have planted several things this spring which may not make it if we don’t see some rain and soon. Well, enough about our depressed water situation. There are still so many things that summer brings… swimming in cool blue water, late afternoon siestas, a nice walk through a local botanical garden (preferably in the shade), and family time for things (like picnics and day trips) that we don’t always have at other times in the year.

I am wishing, for your family and mine, time to be together often and to find many ways to celebrate summer!