“Ed, what’s going on?”

My clever retort, “Not much.”

We chatted for awhile, then Will glanced downwards at my ankles and said, in a voice loud enough for approximately sixty percent of gym to hear him,

“Ed, what are those big red spots on sides of your ankles? It’s like you’re some kind of a red spotted Dalmation or something!”

I heard a few snickers, and when I looked up I felt like every eyeball in building was locked onto my ankles. Without even thinking, I sort of crossed them to hide them, which had net effect of spreading spots even more. For rest of my workout I was avoided like plague, and word going around gym was that I had an affliction that ranged anywhere from poison oak to some kind of incurable disease. Needless to say, I left Wellness Center a little less than pumped up, exuberant, and renewed.

So now I sit here writing this with ankles redder than China, trying to balm my deep inner pain with some Breyer’s Butter Pecan ice cream. I guess some worthless things will always be around, and all any of us can do is to make best of what they bring, which is a good thought to keep in mind as I get ready to entertain a few of my distant relatives this coming weekend…

The first 3-4 weeks after planting your roses, you should water them often. Usually this is when top 2 inches of soil is dry. Roses need a lot of hydration and food to remain healthy. Four weeks after planting, you should start soaking bed every 2 weeks or so. You should do this in morning for best results.

Begin fertilization approximately 3 months after planting. Use 3-6 inches of mulch to control moisture, temperature, and to stops weeds from coming up. Mulch also helps to lock in vital nutrients your roses need in order to remain healthy. Planting in Spring is best.

You want to plant your roses in an area that is well circulated with air. Your roses will not grow in an enclosed or tight area. Dig a hole that is two times bigger than amount of space that your roses take up. It makes it easier to plant them and creates a spaced area for them to grow with freedom. Poor circulation for your roses can cause fungal diseases. Using a larger hole also makes it easier for you to pull them up later and pot them if you’d like.