November Roses

Some time ago, I pruned the roses in the garden behind the little blue house in the village and put them to bed for the winter, lovingly cocooned in leaf matter and covered over with hay for the winter.

As I beavered away on that chill morning, I discovered a late budding spray of David Austin's fragrant Heritage tucked into a protected alcove, and I marveled at the tenacity and insouciance of this remarkable garden resident so far north.

I cut the spray and brought it indoors, and this morning it bloomed, filling the kitchen with an old rose fragrance which took my winterized sensibilities back to high summer. Out of such small and unexpected gifts, a life both mindful and thankful is made.