Years ago, I mean years ago, when I was just 19, a friend said to me “don’t forget to stop and smell the roses”.

I never forgot that.  It seemed so odd to say to me.  At 19, I was a busy girl and moving forward.  Of course, I smell the roses.  At that time, they actually had fragrance.  Now they are sold for appearance, size and hybrid colors.  I sent my sister three dozen for her birthday.  I am sure they had no fragrance.  I received a beautiful bouquet from my son on Mother’s Day and the roses had no fragrance.  I still enjoyed them and kept them alive into their second week.  It seems we have bred the roses for the practical over the sentimental.  It’s definitely a symptom of larger trends in America.  I wonder if the breeders knew that we were forgetting to stop and smell …