Category: Inspirational

Must I Move On?

On By SCLMRoseIn #amwriting, #Author's Life, Inspirational4 Comments 
On the occasion of Matthew Morgan's 2nd death anniversary, I dedicate the poem below:
I quietly grieve
In silence, In darkness
I found myself in tears.
Like Montmorency Falls
Unwavering, it flows
It heaves a sigh for years.

I'm missing you.
Wanting to hear your voice
Reciting limerick
To make me laugh with joy.
Missing you at dinner time
Someone to talk to
Needing your company
Day in and day out, I do.

Must I move on?
Wondering too often.
Without you, life is lonely
Without an anchor, I'm adrift at sea.
I hear you say, "Sail on!
Waste not, time is precious.
Life is fleeting. Sorrow not wanting.
Take good care of yourself,
The horizon is vast and waiting.
Grieve not. Time for you to move on!"

Copyright 2022 ©Rosalinda R Morgan
Matt as a youngster painted by Madame Shoumatoff, who did the famous unfinished portrait of Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt who died while sitting for the portrait on April 12, 1945.
Matt when he joined the U.S. Navy in 1944 when Franklin D. Roosevelt was the Commander-in-Chief.





I wanted to write something memorable for my husband’s 2nd death anniversary. Matt always recited verses, mostly incongruous and funny while he was alive. I kept telling him to write them down because I could not possibly remember them. He did not listen. 





I’m not a poet. This little poem just popped out of my head from nowhere. Is Matt dictating this to me? 






















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A Rose (Brigadoon) and a Tip for Healthy Living

						

				On  By SCLMRoseIn Inspirational, Motivational Tips, Positive Thinking, Rose CultureLeave a comment			

					


		

			











Early stage of bloom










Later Stage of Bloom





Class: Hybrid Tea





Year of introduction – 1992





Registration Name – JACpal





Parentage: Unnamed Seedling x Pristine





Hybridizer: William A. Warriner (United States, 1991)





Introduced in the United States by Jackson & Perkins Co.





This winner of the All America Rose Selection award in 1992 is categorized as a pink blend, a description that says nothing about its real color, a creamy blush spreading from the center into deep pink coral. At times, it looks like coral-orange with cream reverse. It’s wonderful seeing it changes color as it opens from bud to bloom.





Brigadoon has moderate, spicy, fragrant blooms produced one to a stem, and are best up to the halfway stage where the bud is perfection itself. As the flower opens, it holds its shape but does tend to drop the immediate central petals – something that will only bother an exhibitor. As a flower for decoration, it is a real eye-catcher. The bush is vigorous, upright, medium-tall, about 3’ and 28” wide, and well-branched with semi-glossy deep green, dense, leathery foliage that can be pretty large in cooler climates. The long, pointed, ovoid buds unfurl to double (35-40 petals), large (5” across) to high-centered, reflexed bloom form, and blooms in flushes.





Brigadoon can be grown in USDA zone 6b and warmer and used for beds and borders, as cut flower or container rose. For spring pruning, remove old canes and dead or diseased wood and cut back canes that cross. In warmer climates, cut back the remaining canes by about one-third. In colder areas, you’ll probably find you’ll have to prune a little more than that. It requires spring freeze protection but can be grown in the ground or in a container. In a container, it requires winter protection.





Tip of the day: Eat lunch outside – When sunlight hits the body, production of the neurotransmitter serotonin increases, which can make you feel happier, more alert, and more energized. (Be sure to wear your sunscreen!)


			
					

	




			
				


			

		

			
A Rose (Top Gun) and a Motivational Tip for the Day

						

				On  By SCLMRoseIn #MotivationalTips, #PositiveThinking, #ThursdayThoughts, #ThursdayTips, Blogging, Hobby, Inspirational1 Comment			

					


		

			











Name of Rose: Top Gun





Class: Shrub





Registration Name: Rosa cv. ‘WEKmoridahor





Parentage: ‘Memorial Day’ x ‘Home Run’





Hybridizer: Tom Carruth





Date of Introduction: 2016





‘Top Gun’ rose is a true breeding breakthrough. True to its name, this new rose tops in disease resistance and flower power. It even shows resistance to rose rosette disease. ‘Top Gun’ offers intense red with dark red veining flowers that seems to glisten in clusters of 3-5 blooms, 3” in diameter with moderate, fruity fragrance. ‘Top Gun’ produces clusters of single to semi-double, and is quick to repeat bloom cycles so you’ll enjoy constant color in your garden, even into late fall. It has large, glossy, full, dark green foliage of 3-7 leaflets that greatly enhanced disease resistance. This tough-as-nails landscape rose grows 3-4 ft. tall x 4-5 ft. wide.





Looking for a tough, easy-care rose with loads of brilliant glistening blooms? ‘Top Gun’ rose knocks out the competition in test gardens. ‘Top Gun’ exhibited excellent natural resistance to powdery mildew, downy mildew, rust, black spot and even rose rosette disease, so common in other “tough” roses. This new introduction is a top choice for beginning gardeners or gardeners who want a healthy low-maintenance shrub rose that can be grown without chemicals. It’s true best performing shrub rose you can grow.





I have two growing in pots and they are constantly in blooms and make a great statement with that vivid red petals with yellow stamens!










Tip of the Day – Do a good deed. Helping others helps you. Acts of kindness spark release of the hormone oxytocin, which is good for heart health. You’ll get a psychological boost, too. 


			
					

	




			
				


			
				


			

		

			
Constance Spry – The Rose and The Mother of Floral Design

						

				On  By SCLMRoseIn #amblogging, #amwriting, #Inspirational, Blogging, English Roses, Floral Design, Flower Arrangements, Inspirational, RosesLeave a comment			

					


		

			
Constance Spry


Constance Spry, introduced in 1961, is one of the first English Roses hybridized by David Austin and its success contributed to the founding of the English Roses. David Austin Roses is a flower arranger’s dream. They can be used to make wonderful floral arrangements either on their own or with other plant materials. With its voluptuous blossoms and dainty habit, you can duplicate the beauty and charm of an Old Dutch floral painting. 




Constance Spry Climber by DARPhoto Credit – David Austin Roses




 


Constance Spry can grow to a height of 6-12 ft. with a width of 6-8 ft. or 10 to 18 ft. as a climber. Bloom size is 3” with a petal count of 80+. It has a lovely pink color and very fragrant. The only drawback is it only flowers once in the spring but it blooms profusely.


 


Constance Spry by Flower Magazine
Photo Credit – Flower Magazine


Who is Constance Spry?


Constance Spry is the mother of modern floral design. She would have loved to use David Austin Roses for her floral arrangements. After World War 1, she changed the formal, rigid composition of floral design with unconventional pastoral compositions; flowers arranged asymmetrically with assorted shapes of foliage in various types of containers. She used all kinds of wildflowers, grasses, pods or practically anything the Victorian ladies shunned. Her style was full of drama and a refreshing reprieve from the more stiff floral design of her contemporaries.




Constance Spry PinterestPhoto Credit – Pinterest




 


Connie, as she was known to her friends, was born in Derby, England, in 1886 and raised in Ireland. She found refuge from her domineering mother in the gardens of her childhood, where she began to take note of what would become her favorites: old garden roses, lilac, mock orange, laurel, buddleia, and evening primrose, as well as grasses, weeds, and other typically overlooked plants and materials.


 


Though flowers and gardening would be her lifelong passions, under her father’s direction she began her early professional life as an educator and social reformer. Traveling by horse-drawn wagon through the Irish countryside, she became a proponent of healthy living, educating housewives on the benefits of fresh air and nutritious food as part of a “War on Consumption” campaign. After a disappointing marriage to a coal mine manager, she took her only son back to England to begin life anew. It was there she met and fell in love with Shav Spry, a colonial civil servant who would be her lifelong companion.


It wasn’t until the age of 41, that Spry’s amateur talents as a floral designer were noticed by an influential lunch companion, leading her to Norman Wilkinson, a theater designer whose encouragement would launch her meteoric design career. With a commission to do flowers for cinemas and a perfume shop, Spry took her unorthodox visions of gathered materials and artful references out of the homes of friends and into the public eye, where she was praised for displays that in an incredibly modern twist included leaves, berries, seed pods, wild clematis, and golden hops mixed with exotic orchids.


Suddenly this middle-aged woman found herself thrust into the social scene, befriending legendary decorator and fellow entrepreneur Syrie Maugham and an exuberant crowd of theatrical personalities and social luminaries. She became the florist of choice to London high society organizing the flowers for royal weddings. She designed the flowers for the Queen’s wedding and Coronation. Her books on flower arranging made her a household name.


Constance Spry Cookery Book by antique-atlas.com
Photo Credit – Antiques-Atlas.com


 


Besides being an influential floral artist, Constance Spry is the founder of the Cordon Bleu cooking school and an author of a bestselling cookbook bearing her name.


 


 


Until next time. Stop and smell the roses.


Rosalinda


			
					

	




			
				


			

		

			
Do you have trouble remembering names? I do.

						

				On  By SCLMRoseIn #Author's Life, #mondaymotivation, #MotivationalMonday, Blogging, Inspirational, NamesLeave a comment			

					


		

			
Word Art 2


My son went to Florida and so I was taking care of his dog in his absence. I was walking Skipper yesterday and someone across the street waved and said,”Hi Rosalinda.” She looked familiar but I could not remember her name. It was embarrassing so I just waved back and said “Hi.” I must have met her in one of the neighborhood events.


I remember when I got married, I had a tough time remembering my husband’s friends’ names But they always remember my name. Easy for them. I was the only Oriental in the crowd. I stuck out. Even now, people remember my name.


The first time, I had a garden party at my home for the ladies of my church, I extended the invitation to my pastor. When I introduced myself, he said he would always remember my name. I asked how. He said, “My favorite opera, ‘Die Fledermaus”’. People associate things with names so they can remember them. I did that during my early years in the states since most Americans to me at that time looked alike and I could not remember all their names.


Coming back to my name, people always remember Rosalinda. Is it because it is easy to remember or because it is something unusual. I have no clue. Most of my old friends called me Linda. But now, most people called me Rosalinda. People asked me why I didn’t use Rosalinda since it is such a pretty name. I said it is too long. Some people called me Rose, Rosie, Roslyn, Rosalind or worst yet Rosa. I hate Rosa. Please don’t call me Rosa. Ever!


Since Rosalinda is my official name, I use that name more often now. My signature is Rosalinda. I’m so involved in the rose society I have to use Rosalinda, more appropriate for a flower-related club. Don’t you think?


Talking of Rosalinda, some people asked me about Billy Joel’s Rosalinda’s Eyes. I love the song for obvious reason. It has my name on it. Billy Joel also happens to live in Oyster Bay across the bay from where I used to live. Sad to say, I never bumped into Billy Joel while I was there although some people see him in town most of the time. It will be nice to meet him in person but I am not about to seek him out. He has a motorcycle museum in town. Few people asked me if I was the Rosalinda in his song. Of course not, not in a million years! I have never seen or met the man in person. I have never been to his concert either.


The inspiration for his song was his mother whose name is also Rosalinda.


 


Here is the lyric to the song from Billy Joel’s website – https://www.billyjoel.com/song/rosalindas-eyes-2/


 


I play nights in the Spanish part of town

I’ve got music in my hands

The work is hard to find

But that don’t get me down

Rosalinda understands


Crazy Latin dancing solo down in Herald Square

Oh Havana I’ve been searching for you everywhere

And though I’ll never be there

I know what I would see there

I can always find my Cuban skies

In Rosalinda’s eyes


When she smiles she gives everything to me

When she’s all alone she cries

And I’d do anything to take away her tears

Because they’re Rosalinda’s eyes


Senorita don’t be lonely, I will soon be there

Oh Havana I’ve been searching for you everywhere

I’ve got a chance to make it

It’s time for me to take it

I’ll return before the fire dies

In Rosalinda’s eyes


All alone in a Puerto Rican band

Union wages, wedding clothes

Hardly anyone has seen how good I am

But Rosalinda says she knows


Crazy Latin dancing solo down in Herald Square

Oh Havana I’ve been searching for you everywhere

And though I’ll never be there

I know what I would see there

I can always find my Cuban skies

In Rosalinda’s eyes


 


How do you remember names? I presume if you associate my name with Billy Joel’s song, you’ll remember my name. Won’t you?


 


Until next time. Stop and smell the roses.


 


Rosalinda


Moonstone rose photo (3)


 


 


 


 


 


 


			
					

	




			
				


			

		

			
Doing New Year’s resolutions anyone?

						

				On  By SCLMRoseIn #amwriting, #ThursdayThoughts, Author's Life, Blogging, Inspirational, New Year, Writer's Goal2 Comments			

					


		

			
new years resolution 


Is it that time of year again when everyone is thinking of making resolutions for the new year? How did you make out in 2017? Did you accomplish what you resolved to do? 


I accomplished a lot but not all.


I sometimes wonder what’s the big idea behind this resolution thing. Most resolutions are about going on a diet. By the end of January, everything seems to be out the window. I look at those diet menus at some of the weight loss programs. It’s laughable. If I eat those things, I’ll throw up and be so fat, you won’t recognize me. I eat half the food of what’s on the menus. That’s why there are so many obese people in America. Even their diet menus are too much.  


So losing weight is not one of my New Year’s resolutions. 


But I don’t want to resolve anything so I’ll call mine my goals for 2018.  


Maybe I can learn a new language. That would be awesome. I’ll try Spanish since I know a few words already. Then I can talk to the landscapers in my neighborhood. They usually gave me a blank stare when I talked to them about what to do. 


I want to learn how to play the piano. But I have no room for a piano unless I get rid of one of my bookshelves. Is that a good idea? Not sure. I need a bigger house. Tell that to my husband and he’ll tell you NO. He’ll tell you I need a smaller house.


What else?


Redo the garden and stop buying more plants which is hard to do. I have too many plants but little space for them. When I was in New York, I wished some roses would die in winter so I could buy new ones. 


Stop buying more books and read only whatever I have. My mother told me once to stop buying books since I could not possibly read more than I have now. I think I have about 3,000 volumes in my house. I’m running out of bookshelves. 


How about my writing? I plan to edit and finish a couple of my manuscripts. There are too many things I want to write and I get overwhelmed sometimes. I need to concentrate and stay focused. I can do it. I know I can. 


Be more organized which is not good because I can’t find things after I get organized. Right now, I know where things are. Every year I said it is time to organize but life gets on my way. I have cut down on my charity work which leaves me more time to organize and do things for myself for a change. I feel liberated.


Looking forward to 2018! Wishing everyone a very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!! Cheers!!!


 


Stop and Smell the Roses.


Rosalinda 


 


IMG_0944
Veterans’ Honor Rose growing in my garden


 


 


 


 


			
					

	




			
				


			

		

			
NaNoWriMo Update – Day 10

						

				On  By SCLMRoseIn #amwriting, #Author's Life, #PoweredByIndie, Blogging, Inspirational, NaNoWriMo, Writer's Goal, Writing Challenge2 Comments			

					


		

			
writing photo


It’s Day 10 on my 2017 NaNoWriMo challenge. I’m a third of the way to the finish line. So far so good.


The story is moving along at a steady pace. Since I started on Day 1, I have a faint idea of what I wanted to write. Unlike my previous books which are all historical fiction, this time, I’m doing a crime fiction. Not murder mystery but white collar crime.


I’m doing more than my daily goal of 1,667 words. My average words per day is 2,213 words. I’m very happy with that.


I finished today at 22,136 words which was 5,466 more than my goal of 16,670 as of today. Not bad at all. On Day 7, that is a week after I started, I have done 15,893 words. My first week goal was 11,669, so after a week, I was ahead by 4,227 words.


If I keep at the same pace, I will reach my goal on November 23, 2017. That might not happen because of the Thanksgiving holiday. But, I will try my best to push myself to stay on goal.


Do I keep writing all day? The answer is No.


 I take a break every so often otherwise I get stiff neck staring at the computer. My back also aches if I sit on one spot too long. I have to keep moving. It’s weird because when I garden I can go on for hours without a break. I am probably one of the few gardeners who can squat for hours weeding. I don’t use the kneeler while working in the garden.


I find having breaks keep me more energized when I return to my computer.


So on to Day 11 tomorrow.


 


Until Next time. Stop and Smell the Roses.


Rosalinda R Morgan


Author & Garden Writer


 


			
					

	




			
				


			

		

			
LOOKING FORWARD TO A GREAT 2017

						

				On  By SCLMRoseIn #Author's Life, #mondaymotivation, #MotivationalMonday, #MotivationalTips, #PositiveThinking, Inspirational, New YearLeave a comment			

					


		

			
happy-new-year-images-movie 


Happy New Year to my friends and followers!


I’m looking forward to a great year in 2017. 


Last year, I accomplished what I wanted to accomplish. I made all my goals and then some. I made my reading challenge for the year. I published another historical novel, “The Wentworth Legacy” and started a new project, a nonfiction book to be published in late fall this year.


This year, I’ll be more focusing on my marketing efforts. I have expanded my email lists to include all the people I know from all aspects of my life and that can mean over a thousand names. It’s a great way to start. When I was in real estate, I was taught “marketing is a number game”. This applies to anything you do. The more you reach out, the more you will be known. 


I also started a quarterly newsletter, “Writer’s Musings & Reflections”. It’s not your typical marketing newsletter. It’s more about me, my thoughts and useful tips I want to share with my followers. To subscribe, email me at RosalindaRm@comcast.net. It’s a great way to build up your sphere of influence, a real estate lingo. I remember I used to send out 300 snail mail newsletters every month when I was in real estate. It’s expensive but it got my name out there and it paid off. I was one of the top producers in my office. With the internet, it is easier. With one click, they will be out there and will still leave me with more time to do my writing and other things.


I plan to stay active on social media. I’ll keep on blogging and tweaking my website to keep up with the trends. 


I plan to keep on reading and learning new things. To be a good writer, you have to constantly educate yourself. I’m a self-taught writer but I love to read and I learn a lot just by reading. I have no time to go to seminar or conference since I am a full time caregiver of my husband who has acute kidney disease. I write at home and in solitude.


To break off from my writing, I garden. I tend to my 70 roses and other plants. Looking at those beautiful blooms and getting my hands dirty and taking care of God’s acre as I call it is the most satisfying and relaxing feeling of all. I recommend it highly. 


Happy Reading and Stop and Smell the Roses.


Rosalinda, “The Rose Lady”


Author and Garden Writer


www.rosalindarmorgan.com


 


			
					

	




			
				


			

		

			
Motivational Monday – Dec. 26, 2016

						

				On  By SCLMRoseIn #mondaymotivation, #MotivationalMonday, #MotivationalTips, #PositiveThinking, InspirationalLeave a comment			

					


		

			
 


Perhaps there is no more important component of character than steadfast resolution. The boy who is going to make a great man, or is going to count in any way in after life, must make up his mind not merely to overcome a thousand obstacles, but to win in spite of a thousand repulses and defeats.


 By Theodore Roosevelt 


 


 Until next time. Stop and smell the roses.


Rosalinda R. Morgan, The Rose Lady


Author and Garden Writer


My books in Kindle and paperbacks are available at Amazon.


Barnes & Noble’s Nook, Apple iBooks and Kobo can be found at Smashwords.


Sample or purchase my ebook at Smashwords.


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