A meander around the garden and a nasty shock

The first bloom on one of my new climbing roses.

Its buds have a very pinky tip.

I love this old established rose. It might have been here longer than we have. I'm sure Husband will correct me if I'm wrong.

You may recall that last year I took it upon myself to clear the shady bed and start planting. On my wander around the garden today I discovered that my forsythia, which had been flourishing, had disappeared. I also noticed heavy tread marks across the bed. 

I stomped inside. "You've chopped down my forsythia!"
"I didn't know you had one. And I didn't chop it down; I dug it up."

Mutter, mutter. 

 * * * * *

The Storied Life of AJ Fikry

Gabrielle Zevin

4*

A book about a bookseller, people who love books, people who love reading. Beautiful.