It's somewhat a tradition for me to blog about lilacs and roses (or even lilacs and geraniums) on Mother's Day, to honor my late mother.
When the lilacs bloom, I think of my mother, who passed away in the mid 1960's. We
did not have any lilacs in our yard. In fact, we did not have a yard.
I grew up in a small apartment in a Bronx (part of New York City) city housing project.
She loved a talcum powder called Lilacs and Roses. This was made by a company called Lander, whose address is given as New York City but it's possible some of their products were manufactured in Binghamton, New York, where I worked for many years. (I haven't had time to do the research).
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| Taken May 6 |
I've loved lilacs for many years. My first house had a lilac bush, and the place I live in now has a couple. They are close to being in full bloom now.
I used to have a climbing rose but no longer do. So instead, these roses from Cutler Botanic Garden (taken in 2019) will have to stand in.
I used to get the Jackson and Perkins (a rose retailer) catalog in the mail when I was growing up in that small Bronx apartment. I would look at those roses and dream I would own a rose bush one day. Maybe a Tropicana rose? Maybe a Peace?
Thank you for everything you did for me, Mom, in our short time together on Earth.
And happy Mothers Day to all the mothers and people who act in the role of mother, all over the world.
What a lovely post to honor your mother. Have a beautiful Mother's Day!
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize you'd lost your mom when you were so young. You probably mentioned it before and it slipped my mind. Mother's Day must be a difficult day for you.
ReplyDeleteJackson Perkins used to be in Oregon, and my mother would order from them. She had Tropicana, among a lot of others. I remember a tall one, World's Fair Salute, and my favorite was Peace. Seem to be THE roses of the 60s! When I moved here I ordered climbing roses, New Dawn, from them, not knowing they had sold and were in one of the Carolinas (I think). I wouldn't have ordered live plants from so far away had I known.
My lilac has already finished. I think this is the year I cut it down, due to age and shelf fungus. They do smell so nice. There are loads of lilacs in my neighborhood.
Lovely photos, a great way to honor your mom. Happy Mother’s Day
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry that you lost your mother so young, but how fortunate you were to have had her as long as you did and to have lovely memories of her. My mother always grew lilacs and roses. I think they were favorites of hers. Unfortunately, lilacs do not thrive here but I do love my roses.
ReplyDeleteHappy Mother's Day.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet, beautiful way to honour your mother! Lilacs and roses. My two favourite flowers!
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