In this 21st century this old man has had to adapt to rapid change. Yes, the world of my century (the 20th) may have been simpler. 

But sometimes complexity can bring its rewards. I have a couple of friends who at one time would have indicated in their driver’s licence that they were men. I have no idea on how I would have coped years ago with this event. Now I see it as something extra in how I perceive the people I know.

That brings me to the curious change in some roses called proliferation. The rose, with no apparent reason (none than scientists have been able to understand), sometimes grows added leaves out of the yet unopened bud. Occasionally the bud opens, too.

I saw this today in a rose that is a mystery rose from our old garden. I thought it was a once-blooming Gallica but that is not the case as this bud appeared now. This may suggest that the rose could be a Hybrid Perpetual (not perpetual at all but sometime re-blooming after its early summer period).

I think that the scan is lovely and would even add that it is elegant.

Rosarians of another century might have frowned, snipped the offensive bud and moved on.

Proliferation I  

Proliferation II