After Dan and I married in Florida in 1987, we drove through the Blue Ridge Parkway on our way back to our home in Virginia. We learned that June was the middle of the blooming season for the rhododendrons on the Parkway – they were everywhere. I then learned that my husband was a Willie Nelson fan. He began singing ‘On the Rhododendron Again’ (to the tune of, you guessed it, ‘On the Road Again’) whenever we turned a corner and saw a new batch of the pungent flowers.
Over the years, whenever we have seen these sweet-smelling beauties, we just look at each other with a grin and start singing, a ‘la Willie.
Last night we were reminded again. This time, our 12-year old Max played the part of the long-haired Texan as he walked in from our yard and handed me this beautiful bloom from our one rhododendron bush. He mumbled something about ‘rhododendron again’ and returned outside as Dan was coming in asking ‘did you say it’?
I received a second bloom from Des. Then, the boys had a special treat for me.
Rhododendrons will always hold a special place in my heart. They remind me of that drive down those windy mountain roads and all the places and things I had never seen or been to that were yet to come in my new life. I had no idea how wonderful it would be or that, one day, rhododendrons would inspire these boys to hula!
On the road again
Goin' places that I've never been.
Seein' things that I may never see again
I can't wait to get on the road again.
05.29.10
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