Oh the sweet smell of roses!

View of Jackie's Condo from the Rose Garden

Today I took a walk with my daughter through a little treasure land: The Heritage Rose Garden right off of Taylor Street in downtown San Jose.  I've lived so close my entire life, but never been before.  It's a very easy stroll through the garden and the smells were potent, but in a wonderful way. 

I think I took even more enjoyment in the names of some of the roses, than the actual roses themselves.  Armed with my iPhone I took photos and then captured the names in my notes app.

Imagine my surprise when I even found my namesake: Lady Sylvia.  She was a beauty! I'd expect nothing less! (Just kidding.)

Sylvia meet "Lady Sylvia"

Other treasures included "Carefree Wonder," "Perfect Moment," "Thanksgiving," "Betty Boop," "First Kiss," "Golden Glow," and "Picasso." 

"Carefree Wonder"

"Tina Turner" and "Reba McEntire"

"Perfect Moment"

"Thanksgiving"

"Betty Boop"

"First Kiss"

Don't know the name, but it was beautiful!

"Golden Glow"

"Picasso"

All this beauty got me to thinking about famous quotes about roses. With the help of the Internet I found these treasures:

Gertrude Stein's poem Sacred Emily written in 1913 and published in 1922 had this line:

 "Rose is a rose is a rose is a rose."

William Shakespeare had Juliet say this:

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose

By any other name would smell as sweet."

"I ONCE HAD A ROSE NAMED AFTER ME AND I WAS VERY FLATTERED. BUT I WAS NOT PLEASED TO READ THE DESCRIPTION IN THE CATALOGUE: NO GOOD IN A BED, BUT FINE UP AGAINST A WALL." - ELEANOR ROOSEVELT

And here is my new quote, " Some may be simple, some more complex, but all so sweet to my senses." My sight and my smell were tickled today!

And might I not forget to add, that afterward my taste buds were delighted.  I went to Chili's with Jackie and enjoyed a Skinny Margarita!  

Cheers to a wonderful day in nature!

Lady Sylvia