Roses

[Demercia]

I have just been to a lovely ceremony at our local almshouse  - an ancient charitable foundation- which is now in effect supported accommodation for women who, for various reasons, wouldn't manage independent living.  The rent is ten red roses, payable each year to the Bishop. I am sure that could fit into a story somewhere. 

[Laurna]

I hope someone has donated some lovely English red  rosebushes to the almshouse, so that the women can care for the them and pay their rent with lovingly home grown roses.

[Elkhound]

Demarcia, may I say I love your picture?  It looks a great deal like my Rupert.

[Demercia]

That's Brandysnap, otherwise known as Monster Mog.  A venerable gentleman of 13

[Jerusha]

There is a Brother Cadfael mystery called The Rose Rent.  A widow leaves her home to the Abbey in return for their promise to care for her favourite rose bush and present her with one rose each year as rent.  Of course, since it is a Brother Cadfeal mystery, someone is murdered, but there is a happy ending!

[Demercia]

That story was in my mind too.   The rent is purely nominal these days, but apparently there is some doubt as to whether in mediaeval times it referred to actual roses or to an old English coin known as a rose noble.

[Elkhound]

That's Brandysnap, otherwise known as Monster Mog.  A venerable gentleman of 13

My Rupert is a little more than two.  My previous cat lived to be 14, but he was a gray tabby.