“Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses.” – Alphonse Karr
Pink and yellow and thorny. — Photo by Pat Bean
It’s a Good Combination
When you’ve reached the seventh decade of life, you begin to notice patterns: The sun comes up and goes down every morning, even if its hidden by clouds; women are attracted to men with a bit of wildness in their character — and then expect to tame them; and being too nice a person usually means one ends up getting taken advantage of even by good people.
How many times have you been pricked by a rose bush thorn? — Photo by Pat Bean
The latter is because people treat us the way we allow them to treat us. It took me way too long to discover this fact.
But I finally noticed that prickly people – I’m not talking cantankerous or mean here – get along well in life. Perhaps it’s because most of us prefer a bit of spice instead of too much sugar. If I hadn’t been so intent on ignoring everything about my mother for so long, I might have come to this conclusion much earlier in life. She could be a bit snarly at times yet, I was astonished to see, my kids adored her.
This prickly business seems to be a natural part of life, especially when it comes to nature. Some of the most beautiful flowers have thorns. I wonder if that’s to protect them, or to make us work a bit to enjoy them.
That’s another thing the years have taught me. Nature has a lot of good advice to give if I will just open my eyes to see it, and my mind to accept it.
The Wondering Wanderer’s blog pick of the day.
Bean’s Pat: Delicious Autumn http://tinyurl.com/ll8s442 This looks exactly how I like to travel. Perhaps I’m getting homesick for the road
Pat Bean's blog 
A sign on the wall above my computer says “You call me bitch like it’s a bad thing!” I pride myself on being a bitch when I need to be.
Me too. And have you ever noticed how women get called bitches when they’re simply being assertive.
Pat, I think you’ve just beautifully illustrated the difference between a daisy and a rose. While both are undeniably beautiful in their own way, it’s the one which requires the greater effort that garners the greater value. While I’ve never considered myself a bitch, I have always, always!, thought myself to be worth the greater effort. 😉
Fantastic photographs, Pat!
Good for you Alex, you’re definitely worth the effort. I finally came the conclusion that so was I.