“Won’t you come into the garden? I would like my roses to see you.”
– Richard B. Sheridan
“You have to be 7 years old?“, Steevenson asked me while staring at the name on his soda can. Earlier that morning, I had explained what PG-13 meant, so I guess he still had that guideline stuck in his head.
“No, baby, 7UP is just the name of the soda“, I replied.
I love little moments like that. It would be impossible to write all the cute things he says down, but gosh I wish I could. Sometimes I do:
May 12, 2017 –
He ran down a big hill and he told me that his heart was beeping so fast.
September 22, 2018 –
He told me his friend got bathtized in a tub full of water at church.
March 18, 2019 –
He chased a flock of “eagles” off the sand at the beach. (E-gulls, because he didn’t remember they were called seagulls.)
Today, he asked us if we wanted to go on “a family walk” which, as of last week, means Kevin and I walk and he rides his bike. I love that he named it almost as much as I love the activity itself. After successfully ditching his training wheels, he loves riding on two wheels and we watch him do it like we’ve never seen anyone do it before. “Good job, buddy!“…”Be careful, baby love!“…we’re always back there rooting him on. The weather was perfect this morning as we wandered around the neighborhood. I drew big, grateful breaths as we made our way along Waters View Drive. It felt good to absorb the openness, the whoosh of the wind that talks through the trees, and the vitamin D that God set in the sky.
And speaking of being out and about in the neighborhood, do y’all know Peggy Martin? I read an article about her recently and I was instantly intrigued. It said she’s “a good girl”…and “stunning”…and a “rambler”…and “very aggressive”, but not to worry because she “doesn’t have thorns”.
Never heard of her? She’s a classic, old Southern rose named after an avid Louisiana gardener, whose home and property stood under 20 feet of salt water for two weeks after Hurricane Katrina. It was one of two plants to survive in Mrs. Peggy Martin’s garden, and she originally acquired the tough-as-nails rose through pass-along cuttings from friends in New Orleans.
Before the hurricane, an author/professor friend by the name of Dr. Welch had visited Mrs. Martin, who gave him some cuttings of the thornless, hardy climber with no name. After Katrina, he and six other growers named the rose Peggy Martin and worked together to make it more widely available. Just search Peggy Martin rose on Google if you want to track one down.
There are two here in our neighborhood and I’d love to bring in a third. Not that Mr. Entrekin’s looks lonely or anything…
Isn’t that something? The second is over in Mrs. Blossom’s yard. We’ll stop by next time we’re out on a family walk. I’m sure Peggy Rose would like to see Steevenson ride on two wheels too. 😉
Have a great Monday and we’ll talk again soon!
Layla
Beautiful roses! Those would make me want to have roses again. I got so tired of knock-out roses and every.single.landscape having them. But these…are in a league of their own. And Steevenson is adorable. Enjoy this time.
I’ve got to get some of those!
My 5&6 year old great nephews learned to ride without training wheels. You’re right. It is amazingly like they’re the first ever. 😁
Little Mountain Nursery on McGehee Road in Montgomery has Peggy Martin Roses! They are wonderful – fast growers, too!!
Thank you for taking us along on your family walk!
Sure thing, Julia! Thanks for “e-wandering” with us! 😀
Thanks for sharing the Peggy Martin story, Layla. I had not heard it before. I also love the quote at the top of your post! And the way kids think – it’s a wonder to see the world through their eyes and thoughts.
Thank you for being such a friendly encouragement, Patti! I sure do appreciate you taking the time to send me a virtual hug! 😀
Beautiful flowers, My grandson opened his mouth real wide and says look way in the back you can see my heart, lol
Debbie, that is the CUTEST thing! Thank you for sharing it with us! 😀
Being a life long New Orleanian that got displaced by Katrina I quickly ordered Peggy when the article first appeared in Southern Living. When we moved back to south Louisiana in 2009, Peggy naturally came with us. She looks much like your neighbor’s in my backyard and I have been able to share her “babies” when her long willowing branches take root. Thanks for sharing Peggy in all her glory.
Hi, Julie!
Thank you for swinging by and joining the conversation today…and thank you for sharing your “babies”! 😀
Layla, your posts touch my heart every time. Thank you for sharing love through your eyes.
Ur the bestest & realest person that I’ve found on I G.
Love ❤️ your family & all that u share with us!! Especially
your victories over issues of anxieties etc. You are a great
Warrior in my eyes- I cheer you on Princess Layla👏🏽👏🏽
Thanks for posting the beautiful roses- I had not ever heard of them- but nowI will be searching to purchase them. What a story they tell!! Long live Peggy Martin ❤️
Hugs 🤗 to precious Stevenson 🥰
Awwwwww… Love this post !!! These “First” moments are amazing in every way !!!! and I just can’t even think of an appropriate word for that arbor of roses !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOWOWOWOWOW…..
I just love the sweet things our baby boys say as they are growing. So good you are writing them down. Thank you for sharing that with us. My “baby” boys are 25 and 27! I didn’t write enough down, but one thing I remember is they way they both said yellow – it came out lellow. they both said it at about the same age. I never corrected them and I was so sad when they started saying it correctly – probably better though- I think people would think it’s a little odd if they said ‘lellow’ now – haha
I always love reading and seeing your family growing up together!
(((Big Hugs)))
Cathy
I’ve created email addresses for my grandchildren and let everyone in the family know. I encourage frequent messages to them and when they are older they will be able to read them. They are 8 and 5 now. I try to send them an email each Sunday.
I love my two Peggy Martin’s, and so do the birds. The cardinal pairs nest in them because they are so thick. Lovely, lovelier, loveliest!
I first read about Peggy Martin and her rose in Southern Living years ago following Hurricane Katrina. I purchased two, one for myself and one for my mother. Mine has spread and I now have several Peggy Martin roses in my flowerbed.
I have the same rose. I love it! Wish it bloomed more often.