While this has been a glorious spring OUT THERE, it has not come without some significant challenges. My family is deeply saddened by the recent passing of grandfather, father, and father-in-law Tony Farrugia. Tony was clearly the biggest fan of this blog as it offered him a glimpse of his grandchildren and the spirit of youth in nature. His warm, positive spirit will be missed.

We returned to New Jersey from Tony’s home in Toronto one week ago with heavy hearts. I was quickly reminded of the solace of nature as the scents of spring wafted through our open windows. I knew we would find a least a little comfort in the sweet, intoxicating bouquet.

It is clearly not a time to be an ecological purist.  My youngest son and I went for a hike following our noses and it led us to the ubiquitous multiflora rose. Now this is a plant that has been the target of many a string of expletives, from probably the moment that I first learned to curse. Even before then I probably invented a curse word as I bounded through the head-high meadows of my childhood only to get caught on the sharp thorns of this plant. From adults it earns most of its curses from its highly invasive nature, colonizing meadows and clogging trails. We have been battling this plant in our backyard in the wild strip of land that runs along the Bedens Brook.

Multiflora rose is not without at least some merit. Isn’t that the way in nature? This week that has been apparent in the sweet smell of wild rose drifting across the countryside.  Emerson enjoyed their rapturous scent, avoiding the thorns while sniffing bunches of their small white blossoms. Each time he would lift his head, nose twitching and dusted in pollen, wearing a large smile. “I really like that!”

This weekend, we will again go after the multiflora rose in the backyard with clippers. Isn’t that the way with human nature? The older children will clear it away from the brook so that they can explore and find natural treasure or just keep their feet cool on a hot summer day. Next year, for a brief period of time, they will all stop again and take note of this plant’s sweet gift.

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