I didn't realize how large the ABQ Rose Garden is--I think it's size is deceptive as it surrounds one of the public libraries in town. At least, I now know it is deceptive since I've spread mulch in about half the beds and realize how large the garden actually is. But we braved thorns and rose bushes that wanted to hurt us to do our good deed for the day. We worked for about three hours--in addition to the Rose Society and JLA, there was a group from the city so the work went fairly quickly. Here I am taking a break with my friend Devlyn (who hates having her picture taken--I had to strong-arm her into this one):
When we finished, the head person of the Rose Society mentioned she had extra rose bushes that were free for the taking. So I took two of these. I don't know why I took two. I'm mostly good at killing things and we don't have room in the yard for one rose bush, much less two rose bushes. But several members of the Rose Society told me that these should do fine in a planter on the patio and what I needed to do to keep them alive and so hopefully I'll be able to do so. If nothing else, my in-laws' neighbor Mrs. Green is a member of the Rose Society and perhaps willing to give free advice to a rose novice. Because that might be the only thing I get for free after taking these. (So far, my "free" rose bushes have cost me over $50 for two large planters. It's like my "free" cat I got 10 years ago.)
