Treasures From Afar

Thursday I looked out my kitchen window and there was the UPS truck. I smiled to myself, because H had said they'd probably be here by Thursday. The driver was so damn slow. What the hell was he doing? I could hear him banging around in the back of the truck.

"Organize your packages on your own time". My impatience was putting nasty thoughts in my head. The dogs were barking. He finally came out with a large white box. I was nearly jumping in exitement. He made an unnecessary comment about the dogs barking. I smiled, but thought, "this is their home, you moron. they're doing what they are supposed to be doing..."

Okay, not nice.

I tried to open the box without a knife. You know, that illogical attempt to save time getting a tool you need, when it would have been quicker just to get it first. After a futile try to tear the well taped package, I went into the house to get a knife. Within seconds the box was opened and there was nothing to see except for shredded paper. This wasn't going to be pretty...

Back into the house to find a garbage bag. None upstairs other than the ones I keep at the bottom of the trash can in the kitchen for ease of replacement. Well, the garbage needed to be emptied anyway, so I pulled it out of the can, tied it up and reached in to get a bag. Back out to the porch.

I dug into the shredded paper, heart beating with anticipation. Where were they??

Finally, I pulled out two rose bushes. Some more paper, and voila, there were the other two They looked pretty good considering they had come from California. I don't think I looked that good when I flew there and back...

One bush is bigger than the other three. It already has lots of buds. The second one is a bit smaller, and the last two have been cut back.

When H and I went to Newport, I pointed out the sun roses that grow profusely along the dunes and water line. Their fragrance permeates the air, and I love them. Every time I smell them, I am taken to an instant memory of every northeastern shore I have ever been to.

Being the wonderful person he is, when H returned home, he found and ordered four bushes for me to have for my own, as a way of saying "thank you" for her visit. Is that a win win or what??

So I now have a:

1. Cistus Anne Palmer
2. Cistus Silver Pink

3. Cistus monspellensis Vicar's Mead

4. Cistus x aguilaril Maculatus

Hey, one of the plants is named after X. Coincidence? I think not.

I wish they were each marked, so I could know which was which. When they bloom I will have to make some deductions. Or, you know what? I will change their names. Cistus Harry, Cistus N & L, Cistus V, and Cistus X. Yeah.

I read the directions that came with the bushes. I am going to plant them down by the water, since I think I can find the most sun down there, and it is so right that they should be there. And in years to come, every summer when I am filled with the happiness of their blooms I will remember that weekend that H shared with me.

Thank YOU, Harry.

Peace, Cistus.