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Today would have been my mother’s 76th birthday. She loved flowers and instilled in her son a love of them as well. She always wore a straw hat when working outdoors and when she died in the winter of 2006, I brought mama’s gardening hat home to my garden. It hangs in a place of honor on my screened porch, and now reigns over my garden efforts. I planted a “Peace” rose in her honor in my garden. The final years of her life were rough and she yearned for a simple garden, the majestic beauty of a Cardinal and a “peace that surpasses all understanding.”
Happy Birthday Mama
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About Chris VanCleave - America's Favorite Rose Gardener
Christopher R. VanCleave – America’s Favorite Rose Gardener
Nicknamed "The Redneck Rosarian”, Chris VanCleave is passionate about gardening and growing roses. He is an active member of the Birmingham chapter of the American Rose Society, serving two terms as President. In 2007, he created the Rose Chat Podcast which has reached over a half a million listeners with news and information on growing on growing the world’s most beloved flower, the rose.
He was a contributor to the 2015 Southern Living Gardening Book, has appeared on P. Allen Smith’s Garden Home television show and was featured in the June 2015 issue of Southern Living Magazine. Locally, Chris serves as Chairman of the Helena Alabama Beautification Board where he has spearheaded efforts to create a sustainable landscape in one of the top one hundred places to live in the United States.
His writing is seen at About.com and on his popular website; RedneckRosarian.com, where he chronicles his gardening adventures and explores an intrinsic mix of life, faith and gardening.
An agent of change with over 20 years’ experience in process innovation, Mr. VanCleave is leading the charge to reinvigorate horticultural societies and helping them to reach their full potential in the social media age.
The Redneck Rosarian 
>Aw, that was a beautiful post, and a very touching picture. 🙂
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>Happy Birthday to your beloved mother. Your words are poignant. Her hat is a very touching way to keep her close.
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>Very moving. I brought my dad's workbench to our home after he passed away, because that defined a lot of who he was. I always remember him when I see it. Your mom would be very happy to know how much her hat means to you!
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>Sweet post redneck. I too like the pic.
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>What a wonderful tribute to your mother. She is smiling on you.
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>What a nice tribute. Peace is one of my favs.
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