Marsha Ingrao – Always Write

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FOTD #9: I Never Promised You

This month, I’ve picked a theme of roses. Granted, it’s not the main season for roses, that would be April, in California. They are still nice here in Prescott. I like this challenge, even though I’m doing others, I’ll try not to intermingle them so much so you won’t have to plow through stories to see the flowers.

  • Single flowers
  • Buds
  • Multiple flowers
  • Bouquet
  • Flower fields
  • Wildflowers
  • Tree or bush blossoms
  • Autumn leaves
  • Spring leaves
  • Decorative Cabbage
  • Berries

Sunday Stills: Woodlake Rose Garden Murals

Natalie chose Murals as her topic of Sunday Stills, so this post will start with some appropriate mural pictures and end with some that should be murals.

Founder of Woodlake Botanical Garden

Country singer-songwriter Joe South wrote this for his 1969 debut album, Introspect. Several male artists like Freddy Weller, Billy Joe Royal, and Dobie Gray performed it before Lynn Anderson made ran away with it in 1971.

That was just about the time that Manuel Jimenez and his wife were making their way through life. During a time when few migrant field workers had expectations of earning a doctorate in agriculture, Manuel chipped steadily away at proving himself and others worthy of a full professorship at UC Davis and the title of Small Farm Advisor for the Southern Central Valley.

I Never Promised You a Rose Garden

I beg your pardon
I never promised you a rose garden
Along with the sunshine
There's gotta be a little rain some time

I could promise you things like big diamond rings
But you don't find roses growin' on stalks of clover
So you better think it over
Well if sweet-talkin' you could make it come true

You better look before you leap, still waters run deep
And there won't always be someone there to pull you out
And you know what I'm talkin' about
So smile for a while and let's be jolly
Love shouldn't be so melancholy
Come along and share the good times while we can.

Joe South, 1969

Apparently, along the way, Manuel HAD promised his beautiful wife, Olga a rose garden. Manuel would never renege on his word to Olga. In 2003, he started on the biggest project in Woodlake since its founding, a fourteen-acre Botanical Garden, which, you know included a Rose Garden. Olga loves her roses best and shares that love with the community.

Woodlake Rose Garden

“Along with the sunshine There’s GOTTA be a little rain some time.
“I could promise you things like big diamond rings But you don’t find roses growin’ on stalks of clover.”

When the time was right, Kiwanis and other organizations like Master Gardeners stepped in to give a helping had with the 3.5 acres of just roses. Let me just say that roses are non-relenting work.

“You better look before you leap, still waters run deep And there won’t always be someone there to pull you out And you know what I’m talkin’ about.”

Joe South
“So smile for a while and let’s be jolly Love shouldn’t be so melancholy Come along and share the good times while we can.”

Thanks for stopping by. Your visits mean a lot!

Posted by:

Marsha

Hi, I’m Marsha Ingrao, a retired educator and wife of a retired realtor. My all-consuming hobby is blogging and it has changed my life. My friends live all over the world. In November 2020, we sold everything and retired to the mile-high desert of Prescott, AZ. We live less than five miles from the Granite Dells, four lakes, and hundreds of trails with our dog, Kalev, and two cats, Moji and Nutter Butter. Vince’s sister came with us and lives close by. Every day is a new adventure.

27 responses to “FOTD #9: I Never Promised You”

  1. Wind Kisses Avatar
    Wind Kisses

    I loved this story. Now I am singing the song. And what a love story. I think what I love the most about it is that it will keep being told, and the legacy they leave is a legacy of growth, community and love. Well done, Marsha. Donna

    Like

  2. bloggingwithjrp Avatar
    bloggingwithjrp

    You’ve outdone yourself with this post, Marsha. Like wow!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Marsha Avatar
      Marsha

      Thanks, so much. I think you need to have your own blog, miss Monica. 😍😍😍😍

      Like

  3. Jim Borden Avatar
    Jim Borden

    Manuel was a man of his word. I always liked that song, beautiful lyrics…

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Marsha Avatar
      Marsha

      Yes, he was.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Rupali Avatar
    Rupali

    Lovely lovely photos and the song.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Marsha Avatar
      Marsha

      Thanks Rupali! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Toonsarah Avatar
    Toonsarah

    Beautiful gardens, lovely photos – and I’ve now got that song stuck in my head for the rest of the day 😆

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Marsha Avatar
      Marsha

      It’s not a bad one to have there! Thanks for the comment, Sarah.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Toonsarah Avatar
        Toonsarah

        Very true 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Suzanne@PictureRetirement Avatar
    Suzanne@PictureRetirement

    Marsha, I love roses and murals, and I love a good story, so this post is a win all the way around for me. Thanks for sharing.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Marsha Avatar
      Marsha

      Awwww that’s such a sweet thing to say, Suzanne. You made my day!

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Natalie Avatar
    Natalie

    Beautiful murals and Rose garden, Marsha. A sweet love story, too. The views with the mountains in the background are gorgeous. Thank you for sharing your blog and photos with #SundayStills.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Marsha Avatar
      Marsha

      Thanks for giving Terri a break. You are a lifesaver!

      Like

  8. Colourful Laneway Murals #SundayStills – Natalie the Explorer

    […] Always Write […]

    Liked by 1 person

  9. willowdot21 Avatar
    willowdot21

    Lovely post and the ,I never promised you a rose garden, song is a real classic 💜

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Marsha Avatar
      Marsha

      Thanks, Willow. I’ve got to get busy and create a post for today.

      Like

      1. willowdot21 Avatar
        willowdot21

        Me too

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Marsha Avatar
          Marsha

          We inspired each other! 🙂

          Like

          1. willowdot21 Avatar
            willowdot21

            I agree it works well 😊

            Like

  10. robertawrites235681907 Avatar
    robertawrites235681907

    A fabulous song and post, Marsha. I love roses.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Marsha Avatar
      Marsha

      Thanks, Robbie. You can’t beat roses for inspiration.

      Like

  11. bushboy Avatar
    bushboy

    A fabulous Rose garden 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Marsha Avatar
      Marsha

      Thanks, Brian!!!

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Sadje Avatar
    Sadje

    Thanks for sharing such a joy.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Marsha Avatar
      Marsha

      They are an inspiration.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sadje Avatar
        Sadje

        I agree 💯

        Liked by 1 person

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