More Than Just Iris...
My Iris are finally blooming!! I wish I knew their names, but I can tell you they are very special to me. In February of 1993, my dad was diagnosed with oral cancer. He had a tumor in his tongue, which the doctors at UW Madison removed, along with performing a radical neck dissection. Dad was a master gardener, and involved nationally with the Men's Garden Club. He had wanted to plant an iris garden in the front yard, and had designed the bed with the placement of each type of iris. He ordered the iris with money that friends had sent him in the many cards he received during his illness. Unfortunately, Dad passed away on July 6th, 1993, before the iris were ever shipped. He had gone back to Madison for his 6 week checkup following radiation, and the cancer had returned. He was so weak, they kept him overnight in Madison to give him IV nourishment, before sending him home. He died unexpectedly that night in the hospital. It was a blessing, as his remaining days/weeks would have been pretty awful. Back to the iris, Mom asked me if we should call and cancel the order. I said "no". Dad had planned the entire iris bed, and we were going to plant it just as he wanted it. They were beautiful; so many different colors!! Sadly, those nasty borers infested the bed and the iris had to be moved. I moved what was left to my house, but didn't know what was what, anymore. So, these are a few of the remaining iris that Dad had ordered 23 years ago! They are very special to me. Sorry for the long post. I guess I'm just really "feeling" Dad this morning, and wish he were here to enjoy his flowers with me. Seeing these iris bloom each year always reminds me of my dad, and their blooming always coincides with Memorial Day....
PattyW60 wrote:
My Iris are finally blooming!! I wish I knew their names, but I can tell you they are very special to me. In February of 1993, my dad was diagnosed with oral cancer. He had a tumor in his tongue, which the doctors at UW Madison removed, along with performing a radical neck dissection. Dad was a master gardener, and involved nationally with the Men's Garden Club. He had wanted to plant an iris garden in the front yard, and had designed the bed with the placement of each type of iris. He ordered the iris with money that friends had sent him in the many cards he received during his illness. Unfortunately, Dad passed away on July 6th, 1993, before the iris were ever shipped. He had gone back to Madison for his 6 week checkup following radiation, and the cancer had returned. He was so weak, they kept him overnight in Madison to give him IV nourishment, before sending him home. He died unexpectedly that night in the hospital. It was a blessing, as his remaining days/weeks would have been pretty awful. Back to the iris, Mom asked me if we should call and cancel the order. I said "no". Dad had planned the entire iris bed, and we were going to plant it just as he wanted it. They were beautiful; so many different colors!! Sadly, those nasty borers infested the bed and the iris had to be moved. I moved what was left to my house, but didn't know what was what, anymore. So, these are a few of the remaining iris that Dad had ordered 23 years ago! They are very special to me. Sorry for the long post. I guess I'm just really "feeling" Dad this morning, and wish he were here to enjoy his flowers with me. Seeing these iris bloom each year always reminds me of my dad, and their blooming always coincides with Memorial Day....
My Iris are finally blooming!! I wish I knew their... (
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Beautiful...... Sorry for your sadness. The Iris will always give you the good memories of your Dad.
jaymatt wrote:
Beautiful flowers.
Thanks, John. We've had some cloudy, rainy weather these past few days, with some scattered sunshine. The flowers are really adding nice color to the flower beds! :)
Dick Z. wrote:
Beautiful...... Sorry for your sadness. The Iris will always give you the good memories of your Dad.
Thanks, Dick. Actually, whereas it's a sad memory, it's really nice to have these beautiful iris bringing back lots of fond memories of my dad. I think the real story is about how the memories and emotions that are attached to certain flowers, whether we see them in our own gardens, or somewhere else. Whenever I see a Flowering Almond, I think of my grandma's house. :)
PattyW60 wrote:
My Iris are finally blooming!! I wish I knew their names, but I can tell you they are very special to me. In February of 1993, my dad was diagnosed with oral cancer. He had a tumor in his tongue, which the doctors at UW Madison removed, along with performing a radical neck dissection. Dad was a master gardener, and involved nationally with the Men's Garden Club. He had wanted to plant an iris garden in the front yard, and had designed the bed with the placement of each type of iris. He ordered the iris with money that friends had sent him in the many cards he received during his illness. Unfortunately, Dad passed away on July 6th, 1993, before the iris were ever shipped. He had gone back to Madison for his 6 week checkup following radiation, and the cancer had returned. He was so weak, they kept him overnight in Madison to give him IV nourishment, before sending him home. He died unexpectedly that night in the hospital. It was a blessing, as his remaining days/weeks would have been pretty awful. Back to the iris, Mom asked me if we should call and cancel the order. I said "no". Dad had planned the entire iris bed, and we were going to plant it just as he wanted it. They were beautiful; so many different colors!! Sadly, those nasty borers infested the bed and the iris had to be moved. I moved what was left to my house, but didn't know what was what, anymore. So, these are a few of the remaining iris that Dad had ordered 23 years ago! They are very special to me. Sorry for the long post. I guess I'm just really "feeling" Dad this morning, and wish he were here to enjoy his flowers with me. Seeing these iris bloom each year always reminds me of my dad, and their blooming always coincides with Memorial Day....
My Iris are finally blooming!! I wish I knew their... (
show quote)
Thank you for telling us why these iris are more than just iris, Patty. Perfect captures of these beautiful flowers.
With or without names they are as lovely and bring fond memories.
Wonderfully wrought Patty.
Patty, your Iris are very beautiful. Thank you for sharing them along with the very special story that goes with them.
Patty, these are simply beautiful and reading your story gave me chills.... this is a beautiful way to remember you dad and especially when they are in bloom, you know he's right there with you.... but he's always in your heart even without the irises.
PattyW60 wrote:
My Iris are finally blooming!! I wish I knew their names, but I can tell you they are very special to me. In February of 1993, my dad was diagnosed with oral cancer. He had a tumor in his tongue, which the doctors at UW Madison removed, along with performing a radical neck dissection. Dad was a master gardener, and involved nationally with the Men's Garden Club. He had wanted to plant an iris garden in the front yard, and had designed the bed with the placement of each type of iris. He ordered the iris with money that friends had sent him in the many cards he received during his illness. Unfortunately, Dad passed away on July 6th, 1993, before the iris were ever shipped. He had gone back to Madison for his 6 week checkup following radiation, and the cancer had returned. He was so weak, they kept him overnight in Madison to give him IV nourishment, before sending him home. He died unexpectedly that night in the hospital. It was a blessing, as his remaining days/weeks would have been pretty awful. Back to the iris, Mom asked me if we should call and cancel the order. I said "no". Dad had planned the entire iris bed, and we were going to plant it just as he wanted it. They were beautiful; so many different colors!! Sadly, those nasty borers infested the bed and the iris had to be moved. I moved what was left to my house, but didn't know what was what, anymore. So, these are a few of the remaining iris that Dad had ordered 23 years ago! They are very special to me. Sorry for the long post. I guess I'm just really "feeling" Dad this morning, and wish he were here to enjoy his flowers with me. Seeing these iris bloom each year always reminds me of my dad, and their blooming always coincides with Memorial Day....
My Iris are finally blooming!! I wish I knew their... (
show quote)
These are lovely flowers. What a Blessing to have something so beautiful that will always bring loving memories of your dad.
PattyW60 wrote:
My Iris are finally blooming!! I wish I knew their names, but I can tell you they are very special to me. In February of 1993, my dad was diagnosed with oral cancer. He had a tumor in his tongue, which the doctors at UW Madison removed, along with performing a radical neck dissection. Dad was a master gardener, and involved nationally with the Men's Garden Club. He had wanted to plant an iris garden in the front yard, and had designed the bed with the placement of each type of iris. He ordered the iris with money that friends had sent him in the many cards he received during his illness. Unfortunately, Dad passed away on July 6th, 1993, before the iris were ever shipped. He had gone back to Madison for his 6 week checkup following radiation, and the cancer had returned. He was so weak, they kept him overnight in Madison to give him IV nourishment, before sending him home. He died unexpectedly that night in the hospital. It was a blessing, as his remaining days/weeks would have been pretty awful. Back to the iris, Mom asked me if we should call and cancel the order. I said "no". Dad had planned the entire iris bed, and we were going to plant it just as he wanted it. They were beautiful; so many different colors!! Sadly, those nasty borers infested the bed and the iris had to be moved. I moved what was left to my house, but didn't know what was what, anymore. So, these are a few of the remaining iris that Dad had ordered 23 years ago! They are very special to me. Sorry for the long post. I guess I'm just really "feeling" Dad this morning, and wish he were here to enjoy his flowers with me. Seeing these iris bloom each year always reminds me of my dad, and their blooming always coincides with Memorial Day....
My Iris are finally blooming!! I wish I knew their... (
show quote)
Beautiful images!!!
The last four are fantastic, the first being a little too hot and losing detail.
PattyW60 wrote:
My Iris are finally blooming!! I wish I knew their names, but I can tell you they are very special to me. In February of 1993, my dad was diagnosed with oral cancer. He had a tumor in his tongue, which the doctors at UW Madison removed, along with performing a radical neck dissection. Dad was a master gardener, and involved nationally with the Men's Garden Club. He had wanted to plant an iris garden in the front yard, and had designed the bed with the placement of each type of iris. He ordered the iris with money that friends had sent him in the many cards he received during his illness. Unfortunately, Dad passed away on July 6th, 1993, before the iris were ever shipped. He had gone back to Madison for his 6 week checkup following radiation, and the cancer had returned. He was so weak, they kept him overnight in Madison to give him IV nourishment, before sending him home. He died unexpectedly that night in the hospital. It was a blessing, as his remaining days/weeks would have been pretty awful. Back to the iris, Mom asked me if we should call and cancel the order. I said "no". Dad had planned the entire iris bed, and we were going to plant it just as he wanted it. They were beautiful; so many different colors!! Sadly, those nasty borers infested the bed and the iris had to be moved. I moved what was left to my house, but didn't know what was what, anymore. So, these are a few of the remaining iris that Dad had ordered 23 years ago! They are very special to me. Sorry for the long post. I guess I'm just really "feeling" Dad this morning, and wish he were here to enjoy his flowers with me. Seeing these iris bloom each year always reminds me of my dad, and their blooming always coincides with Memorial Day....
My Iris are finally blooming!! I wish I knew their... (
show quote)
Patty, they are just beautiful. I have never seen a yellow Iris before. Gorgeous.
Annie-Get-Your-Gun wrote:
Thank you for your kind words, Annie. They really are beautiful flowers, and I'm thankful I have the ones I do. :)
infocus wrote:
Patty, they are just beautiful. I have never seen a yellow Iris before. Gorgeous.
Thank you, infocus. It's not a bright yellow like my daffodils, but more of a golden color. It really sticks out in the flower bed! I"m glad you like it! :)
Manglesphoto wrote:
Beautiful images!!!
The last four are fantastic, the first being a little too hot and losing detail.
Thank you, Manglesphoto. I'm glad you enjoyed them! Can you give me suggestions for making the first image better, please? I've finally gotten to the point where I'm shooting everything in RAW, but I'm still trying to learn what to do with the RAW images beyond converting them to jpegs, using the program that came with my camera.
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