Roses and Honeysuckle

Glorious spring!  As I went for a jog today (Gasp! Yes, a jog! After months of slothery [a new and wonderful-if-I-do-say-so-myself word I just made up] I jogged!) I noticed so many lovely rose bushes, and  saw and smelled honeysuckle.  Oh how sweet and pungent is the aroma of honeysuckle!  It really brought me back to my youth - the youth before this adulthood youth - when Tootie and I used to pick honeysuckle in her backyard and sip the syrupy sap.

 

To my horror, while looking up "honeysuckle sap" (to ensure proper vocabulary), an e-how website called Eradicating Honeysuckle was high up in the results list! Astonishing! Dismaying!  I don't know what it means to be mayed, but I felt dis that when I saw the article. Behold this jolting quote from the article: "What children don't understand is that honeysuckle vine (Lonicera spp.) has become an invasive and damaging exotic weed in North America."

On a lighter note, seeing the rose bushes reminded me of my walk to school when I worked in Alameda, CA.  The school's neighborhood was chock full of houses with beautiful yards and gardens, many of which bloomed with beautiful roses.  I think the climate in Alameda must be perfect for rose bushes, because I have never seen so many in one place.  They were absolutely gorgeous, and seeing them really made my mornings and afternoons. 

To my horror, while looking up "Alameda rose" (in an attempt to find some charming examples), Google Images returned results of casket after casket!  Shock!  Apparently "Alameda rose" is a funereal wood choice! Upon my word!   See for yourself!