Sweet Sixteen

Hello Friends,

This is a big milestone for my often-neglected, but now revived blog. Roses to Rainbows is celebrating it's 16th year in the blogosphere on September 20.

Where have the years gone? It seems like just yesterday I had hopes and dreams of sharing my thoughts and ideas all around the globe. Did I succeed?

Well, yes and no. I have had visitors from far and wide grace the virtual doors of my humble abode. I have shared my thoughts, tips & tricks, helpful hints, and pictures of my cats. I have written fiction and poetry, participated in many blogging challenges, and at times expressed my opinion on various topics.

Have I become an overnight sensation after 16 years? Nope! 

Is that okay? Yep! 

Why, you ask, would I keep plugging away, albeit randomly at times, for 16 years? That is a really good question, and when I look at people whose blogs have had a regular audience who interacts with them, sometimes on a daily basis, for longer that I've been "online", it does make me wonder why as well. 

I have often quoted Cyril Connolly, "Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self", and have come to consider that I am the epitome of that quote. Maybe another way of putting it is this line from Shakespeare's Hamlet, "To thine own self be true".

Having said all this, if I help or encourage one person, that is a bonus. If I entertain someone with my stories or brighten their day with my pictures, I'll take it. These moments are the real wins, so if it pleases you to leave me a comment, I'd love to hear from you. My door is always open, the coffee is hot, the wine is chilled and every so often, I even dust.

Until next time, stay safe and stay sane.

Gone Too Soon: RIP Charlie Kirk

 Hello Friends,

This one's for Charlie! 

It has been less than a week since the horrific assassination of Charlie Kirk. Charlie was a Christian, a husband, a father, a patriot and a conservative. He leaves behind a wife and two young children.

Charlie championed free speech and open debate, regardless the topic or who wanted to have their voice heard. He listened and respectfully gave this thoughts, often in the form of a question. He was calm in the face of the hysterical. He countered illogical remarks with common sense and reason. He brought knowledge and wisdom to all who would listen. He unapologetically spoke about his faith, and family values. Many of his appearances were on college campuses, which sadly is where his life was taken.

He was also politically active in trying to reach America's youth. He campaigned for Donald Trump going back to 2016, and his organization, Turning Point USA is said to have been instrumental in the election of President Trump in 2024. 

The internet is awash in news clips, interviews, people opining on details and minutia, and articles, pictures and prayers offered in memorial. Also, many have been left wondering WHY? Why did this happen?

We are all sharing the same shock and grief. I had paused here at the computer for a moment Wednesday, saw this post and barely left until dinner needed to be prepared.

Charlie Kirk has been SHOT at an event at Utah Valley University.

His condition is unknown. Please stop what you're doing and PRAY for him

Oh No!! Immediately I switched to X to try and get more information. I prayed, as did millions of others around the country and perhaps around the world. Prayers continue for his family as they face the darkest time in their lives. This was indeed a dark day for our country as well. 

Why was Charlie assassinated? Everyone has an opinion, but if you want to know what I think, then reread the first two paragraphs. Charlie Kirk was murdered because of who he was as a human being. He was good, and evil can't stand good.

To the shooter, know that Charlie's work will continue. His army will multiply. To those who were celebrating this tragedy, you are disgusting human beings who lack compassion and human decency.

May God bless Charlie's family and God bless America!

Fabulous Fungi

Hello Friends,

We were walking in the park one day...and much to our surprise we spotted an old, but still very much alive, oak tree. Surrounding the base of the tree were the most brilliant orange mushrooms I'd ever seen. 

Can you guess what they might be called? If you guessed Jack-O-Lantern mushroom, you would be correct. They were quite the sight popping out from around the tree, in various stages of fungus life. You can read more about Jack-O-Lantern mushrooms here. 

Do take their advice, and if you forage for mushrooms, please leave these alone. In spite of their beauty, they will, apparently, make you quite sick.

Nature certainly is lovely, isn't it?

Until next time, stay safe and stay sane.

Just Paid To Be There

Hello Friends,

So where do you think all the "protesters" come from?

I'm so glad you asked. What's interesting is that the companies that provide crowds for events have seen a spike in requests since this has taken place. 

Yes, you read that right. You've heard of Rent-a-John? Well this is, in essence, rent-a-crowd. They are hired and deployed to be agitators for various "mostly peaceful" demonstrations around the country.

There is this from Fox News, DC paid protester requests surge 400% amid Trump’s federal takeover of city police: crowd company CEO says vast majority of political event attendees in Washington are paid in some way.

So now you know that these protest crowds are not organic. Many are just paid to be there, and have no real interest in anything other than a paycheck.

You can go here to see one of these suppliers of people for yourself. My advice is to stay away from crowds and keep your head on a swivel.

Until next time, stay safe and stay sane.

Winding down

Hello Friends,

Summer is still going strong here, but fall is just around the corner. Garden 2025 is feeling it's age and many plants have been pulled up and discarded into the yard box. In our area we those that want them, have yard boxes which are basically the same thing as garbage and recycle bins, that we roll out to the curb for pickup.

Anyway, the cukes and the squash are done...not that they ever got started. The tomatoes (shown above) look like they are on their last leg and will soon be gone. There is a lone banana pepper that still has one pepper on it. The few that I got were good.

Here are highlights (or lowlights) and lessons learned.

• Six squash plants produced a total of one squash. It was good!

• Two hills of cukes did okay in the production department, but were mostly bitter. Note to self, do not buy Straight Eights again.

• The Better Boy and Celebrity tomatoes produced modestly, and the tomatoes were small. 

• The Husky Cherry tomato did okay, but not as good as last year.

• The Spicy Slice jalapeno was a complete bust. It was not spicy, but the horn worms loved it.

• The sweet banana pepper was good and produced maybe a half dozen peppers. Would plant again.

• Nine okra plants are awesome, and will likely be producing through September, at least.

Take care y'all, and until next time, stay safe and stay sane.