Love Affair
By Carol Johnsen
| My love affair with rhodies, | Rosamundi so lovely, so quick to appear, |
| Began when I was just a child. | Often wears snow in her hair. |
| We lived along the Hood Canal, | Unique, Blue Diamond, and Boule de Neige, |
| Where Rhododendrons all grew wild. | King George and his court are all there. |
| Years flew by and time was spent, | Princess Elizabeth, Lord Roberts, |
| Out in the great Mid-west, | The Honorable Jean Marie, |
| Raising "kids" and growing older, | Dutchess of York, Countess of Derby, |
| Until we earned our "rest." | And Professor Hugo DeVries, |
| Retirement time we decided to spend | The Species - enchanting! Their beauty so rare, |
| Back in Washington State. | With names so hard to pronounce, |
| So we bought 12 acres, built a house, | Fortunei, keiskei, orbiculare, |
| And planted Rhodies by the gate. | Yakusimanum, souliei, and lutescens. |
| Now I plant each precious Rhody, | Now comes the time we may have to move, |
| With lots of tender-loving care, | Away from the fir trees so tall, |
| Dreaming of the years to come, | Away from my rhodies, the mountains and sea, |
| When they'll be blooming there. | Back to Missouri in Fall. |
| "Which one's your favorite?" some will say, | For hardiness ratings I've poured o'er my books, |
| "The old, the new, the large or small? | Checking them all with great care. |
| Pink, Red, Yellow, Orange or Blue?" | There's one I desire that would thrive in K. C. |
| How can I say? I love them all! | Do you have a Ken Janek to spare? |
