Springtime Blooms.

I had a great show this year from my climbing red roses. Not only were they numerous,they were robust, colorful and fragrant. They were a joy to watch as they went through the seasonal cycle. At the peak of the blooming,there were roses all over the climbers and the trees close by. It was a blaze of red, making a great contrast with the white and pink azaleas on the other side of the walkway.
It was a joy beholding the splashes of color for as long as they have lasted. The azaleas wrapped up their show last week. The whites first,then the two shades of pink. They presently look as if nothing ever happened to them. The roses are getting there too, to the end of a great outing. With less than a dozen roses left on the two bushes, it is time to get the last snapshots and enjoy the few days before there will be no roses left. The blooming had been great fun as I took pictures of them at different times of day; in the morning, around high noon and at sunset. The pictures are fantastic. I am not sure which group of pictures I like best, but it is certain that taking those pictures was a source of great joy, peace, contentment, and it has been an outlet, and on two occasions a source of excitement. I was excited to chance on bees on the roses on two occasions and got good pictures of them competing. I had the good fortune of watching two bees end up in one large rose at the same time and showed their displeasure at each other, chased each other around, and then proceeded to compete. It was amusing to watch them as there were more than enough rose blooms for them to enjoy. They obviously were not aware of that fact.

Yesterday when I realized I had just a day or two of roses to go, I got more snapshots of the fragrant blooms which are taking a beating from the intense heat of the last few days. With no rain in sight, I know there may be no roses by the weekend.
It has been a beautiful bloom time, and really great while it lasted, with the various stages of blooming, the fragrance,the colors and the joy of picking them. The occasional encounters with the vicious thorns, added some drama. The lovely pictures are treasures, which are like memories-- a store of all the good feelings and sights.

Just like life in this world as the traveller goes through life, the various stages of life, the good and the bad, the joys and thorns, and then it's all over and the sweet aroma of memories are left behind,with that occasional hint of pain and suffering.

The holy week is here and is a good time to reflect on the short journey through this world. The final resting place, heaven or hell should be on the mind this season, and actually at all times. The resurrection of Jesus Christ, a fulfilled prophecy, gives believers hope. After that great event over two thousand years ago,victory over death was established once and far all. It is a free gift. Accept the free gift today and be saved. Happy Easter to all!!!

Nwada Chinwe Enemchukwu
Orlando, Florida
Pictures by Chinwe Enemchukwu.