Hootin’ Anni’s

This is a new species of climbing rose [at least new to me; I've never seen this color until early this year]. For about a dozen years or more now, there has been a deep, velvety, bright, red and wonderful climbing rose called Don Juan. I fell in love with the hybrid about ten years ago when I spied it in someone’s yard and asked what it was – so I could find me a plant at the nursery. The blossom really doesn’t look like the typical climbing rose with numerous petals, but resembles more the tea rose when it blooms.

At Fox Nursery here in town this Spring, I always check out the potted roses early, before the influx of buyers raid the yard in the back of the establishment and then if I’m too late, the newer kinds are all grabbed up and there is ‘slim pickens’ for variety. I found this one. It too is Don Juan, but in this case it’s Don Juan Pink. Also, a climbing rose. And the coloration is fabulous. This photo actually does not do it justice. It’s such a vibrant ‘hot pink’…ever so bright!!

It’s planted just off the patio with the support of the upright beam and just opposite of a yellow trumpet plant. It’s blooming but barely climbing yet. In a couple of years it will hopefully be full and up to the patio roof!

~end Photo Hunt
[scroll to after my 'fruity' post for comment link]

Let’s take this as what it is, a confession time for me. Yes, I’m pushing 60 and I must admit, I have never, ever, had a mango! The other day, at the grocery store where we go almost daily to get the ‘freshest’ veggies for dinner, I wanted a couple of bananas to snack on. And, ewwwwwwwwwwwww, the bananas were so ripe, the veggie and fruit bin area reeked of the sweet, over ripe smell. I like my bananas with just a hint of green still on the stem, and a firm fruit. So, I didn’t pick any up. I have apples and oranges year ’round in the house, but I wanted something different. The store’s mangoes were 3 for a $1. Hey, what a deal! I’ve always wanted to try one, never had the option like the one that was facing me straight on. So, I picked out three. And another confession, I had no idea what to ‘look for’ in picking the right ones! LOL. I get ‘em home, cut one up in cubes after taking off the skin/rind, put the cubes of fruit on a saucer and go into the dining room with the Sports section of the newspaper [ya, I read about baseball daily], and pierce a chunk of mango. Not bad. Kinda tart, and bitter at the same time. Fruity and tangy. But there is a distinct taste that wouldn’t come to me. So I scoop another piece and put it in my mouth and twirled it around trying to come up with the taste that is eluding my taste buds. Chew it…swallow. The after taste of the 2nd piece made me realize just what the flavor is! A mango tastes like a nectarine, plum mix with a little hint of Windex!!

I confess, I’ve only had the one so far, and I will eat the other two. Hey, what the heck —it may just come as an acquired taste of cleanser, and someday I may grow to like it a lot.