 |
| "Spot On" Photo taken on FujiFilm HS 35EXR, Edited in Picassa by S. Clark |
I had lived in Washington only a few months when I had my 30th birthday. I had a birthday party and invited my co-workers, along with family members from all over the state. One of my new coworkers walked into my house, wished me happy birthday and said "I left you a roadie in the garage." This statement was confusing to me because I was under the impression that a roadie was an individual who worked for a band on tour, hauling gear. I assumed that she wasn't actually getting me someone to haul my gear, although that would have been appreciated, I didn't have any other alternate ideas.
After the party was over, I walked into my garage and found a rhododendron plant. Oh! A "rhodie" not a "roadie"! Having lived in the midwest and California all my life, the term rhodie was not in my vocabulary.
Azaleas and rhododendrons blanket the Pacific Northwest. These shrubs are part of the genus Rhododendron are found in nearly every yard in this part of the country. In 1892 the women residents of Washington voted that the state flower should be the Rhododendron macrophyllum, or Coast Rhododendron. They wanted an official flower to represent the state in the 1893 World's Fair. Washington had only been a state for 3 years at this point, so I am guessing the the voter turn out was pretty low! The choices was narrowed down to clover versus a rhodie.
I am glad that they chose a rhodie. I have come to really appreciate both azaleas and rhodies in the 10 years I have lived here. My yard has several of both types of plants and I think they look much better than clovers. My favorites are the ones with delicate spots near the center of the flowers. They are spot on!
No comments:
Post a Comment