Simply the Rose

There is simply the rose; 

it is perfect in every moment of its existence.     Ralph Waldo Emerson

Birthday

Cherish all your happy moments; they make a fine cushion for old age -Booth Tarkington
 

Penang's street art

It seems there are nearly 30 street art in Georgetown Penang but I only managed to see 5 on the recent trip with LeeAnn and Deedee.

May your dreams be larger than mountains

May your dreams be larger than mountains and may you have the courage to scale their summits. -Harley King

My daughter Fedelia (second from the right) and her friends successfully conquered FanSiPan 3,143m peak,
the Roof of Indochina on 14 Sept 2018, after scaling for 2 days and 1 night

Happy Birthday my girl

My daughter's birthday celebration yesterday. A very big girl now, intelligent, sociable and has a mind of her own.   So proud of you my girl.

She represented Malaysia in rock climbing in the Shanghai X games held in May 2007.  An Article about her can be found at http://ww1.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2009&dt=0719&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Feminin&pg=fe_06.htm entitled FEDELIA SUKA DEBARAN, KEPUASAN. 

I remember the coral vine

The Coral Vine is also called  Chain of Love, Cadena de Amor, Hearts on a Vine, Coral Bell, Queen’s Jewels, Chinese Love Vine, San Miguelito Vine, Coralita, Honolulu Creeper, Mexican Creeper, Rose of Montana Vine, Coral Vine, Confederate Vine, Sandwich Island Creeper, etc. These lovely names all have that romantic ring to it, don’t you think? In Malaysia it is known in Malay as ‘Air Mata Pengantin’ i.e. ‘Tears of the Bride’!

For me personally the coral vine reminds me of a little humiliation I experienced  in my childhood.  I was  then about 14 years old.  My class teacher required everyone in the class to take turns to bring flowers for the vase on the teacher's table.    My classmates would bring orchids, roses and other beautiful cut flowers that their mothers bought for them  from florist shops. I know I would not ask my mother to do so because we were poor and could not afford that luxury.  When it came to my turn I cut a bunch of coral vine from the bushes growing wild along the road to school. It was a very common plant then and normally found growing wild.  "Who brought this?"... the class teacher shrieked..."throw it away". I was so very embarrassed I wished the ground would open up under my feet.

So the coral vine has some significance for me.  Now that I have taken up gardening as a hobby I think I will try to grow it in my little garden.  

A ray of beauty outvalues all the utilities of the world

Flowers are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty outvalues all the utilities of the world.
 - Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Bengal Clock Vine in y front porch blooming profusely today

You want to do everything, but you feel like you can do nothing

You want to do everything, but you feel like you can do nothing. You know they’re hurting and it actually hurts you more than you had expected. How is it possible to feel like this?  They listen to you as you try to cheer them up and make them laugh, but something inside them is missing and all you can think about is how to get it back.

Supertunia Violet Star Charm Petunia Hybrid

I just came to know from the nursery that this is called Supertunia Violet Star Charm Petunia Hybrid, a most charming present given by a dear friend 3 months ago. These beauties are self-cleaning, meaning, there is no need to dead-head them, unlike the more common varieties

 

a rose for every emotion

Roses are one of the most popular flowers in the world due to their beauty. It is said that there is a rose for every emotion. However roses are also one of the more difficult plants to grow.

My rose plant looking its best today

You can be stupid with them

One of the blessings of old friends is that you can afford to be stupid with them. 

Ralph Waldo Emerson

A happy afternoon with my high school mates of 54 years ago   

Roses or diamonds?

I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck  - Emma Goldman

A beautiful perfect rose in my garden today