I pruned my zombie climbing rose back last fall, just before the first frost. It put out a couple defiant buds after that, probably for spite. There was a cultivated rose with delicate pink buds that I killed by transplanting it, but in its place, from the remaining rootstock I guess, grew this totally different, red rose that I call the zombie. I assume the pink had been grafted onto the red. I don't know about roses. But the wild rose that resurrected itself will not die. I mean, I'm not trying to kill it, but I'm not caring for it either.

It's in the mid-60s here today, so I went out and pruned the heck out of my climbing rose. It's super hardy, so it's more a case of hacking it back so it doesn't attack neighbors and my landlord than nurturing its growth and development.

Poor Audrey II, it doesn't get to have any snacks.

Maybe that's what happened to all the feral cats. It wasn't the TNR program, it was Audrey II the Zombie Climbing Rose.

I got a bill in the mail from the NP I'm seeing for meds management, it looks like the insurance rejected some of it. I can't tell. I am going to deal with it tomorrow in some way.

Saw my therapist, she agreed a leave of absence is a good idea and I'm going to see her 2-3 times a week. She wants me to do some kind of yoga or massage through the Center where I go for meds managment. I have to look into that. Right now the main focus is sleeping and eating.

I have a plan, I have back up plans. I feel safer.

I have a plan, I have back up plans. I feel safer.

Good, askye. That's good to know.

Glad to hear you feel better about the plan, askye.

but in its place, from the remaining rootstock I guess, grew this totally different, red rose that I call the zombie.

It might be Doctor Huey. I don't know much about roses, but my MiL taught me that it's often used for rootstock, and most of the rootstock in my yard is Doctor Huey.

it was Audrey II the Zombie Climbing Rose.

Which reminds me that I should go prune our own Audrey II, because she's already reaching for the front porch and the power lines.

Zen, years ago my family had a small section of garden devoted to roses - Jackson and Perkins was the preferred source. One winter it got extra cold and killed off all the hybrid grafts, but the hardier root stock was still alive and thriving. Dark red, much less elaborate flowers than the hybrids. I liked them - they were kind of a tangled mess, but I enjoyed that. My father got disgusted, dug them out and put something else there (either the herbs or the canna lilies, can't remember which came first).

Askye, I'm so glad to hear that you have a plan you feel good about.

I was able to get out to the library bookstore today and tell everyone I shelve with about ltc. They were all ridiculously excited for us.