Thursday, August 21, 2014

Roses in the Classroom

Peace is the Secretariat of roses.
Many variations on this classic have been marketed
to include the name and DNA of 
Peace.
The remarkable history of this rose.
I cut some roses and took them to English class yesterday. One student pronounced them "Fake" and I responded, "You lived in the Hood too long." Everyone laughed and he said, "You are right. We don't see many roses there."

At lunch we bemoaned the lack of rose growing in American parks. Canada and Europe have large rose parks where people can enjoy and examine all their favorites.

Chicago Peace seems to illustrate pink winning out over yellow.
The English composition lesson used roses to show the parallel between rose growing and the True Vine passage in John 15. Parallels are easy to find. Roses and grape vines need:

  • Tending.
  • Pruning of deadwood.
  • Pruning of fruitful branches so they fruit again.
  • Gathering of cuttings to be removed from the plants.
  • Connection to be fruitful. "Apart from Me, ye can do nothing."
The English class answered the question about the plants being fruitful. There is no fruit apart from the plant itself. "So how do we become fruitful as believers?"

The class answered - Through the Word, through the Spirit. Both are correct, since the Holy Spirit works through the Word.


Pruning and Rain
Our crepe myrtle bush is already showing the positive effects of Lyle Lovett pruning, mulch, and rain. Two pink flowers have sprouted on the crepe myrtle, and vertical growth has resumed. The plant looks healthy, if a bit spindly in the legs. At night, faerie lights decorate the top foliage.


Many include Pink Peace as one of the great roses
of all time. The web page lists it as very fragrant.