Laverta

 

 

 

 

     You would almost think this flower was in the hollyhock family.  There were some hollyhocks here for a while but they have died out for the most part and they can be a chore to keep them looking nice and standing up properly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

     The laverta grows flat circular seed pods that makes you think of a cake of cheese, though very small.  The petals are a shiny pink with lines faintly flaring out with the petals.  The leaves are scalloped and stay a nice dark green. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     In the spring we keep our eyes open for them to come up, but that does not always happen.  They need a lot of attention around here, but it is worth it.

 

 




  "Two o'clock p.m. W.C.W. spoke for a hack to take me to ride--the first time I have had a ride in a carriage for four weeks. We had a very pleasant ride two hours long. We saw a curiously constructed church, a state church, about three hundred years old. It is most curiously constructed. It has been presented to the king of Norway. Close by was an old, rough-looking building with curious specimens of antique crockery, brass and tin waiters [trays], plates, and various articles of wearing apparel and utensils.     

     There are forests, groves, parks, and lakes owned by the city where the people, rich and poor, can get out into the country. We saw many, many people with baskets of food resorting to these forests, and what a blessing this is for them! Men, women, and children are flocking out of the city to enjoy the woods.    

     W.C.W. and I walk out twice each day. My hip has been so very painful I could not walk out much--not enough for my health. We walk quite a little distance to the king's palace and in the king's gardens, which have many acres of land in maple trees and trees of all kinds and green grass and flowers. Anyone can have access to these grounds. Seats are furnished for the convenience of all. Seminaries are located near and the students resort to these groves to study their lessons.   

     W.C.W. and I have walked through the cemetery not far distant. It is an extensive ground and is kept up. Women are hired to water and care for the graves for a small sum from different families. The graves are made shapely--oval--and flowers of every description are planted on these graves. It looks like one beautiful flower garden, but the tombstones and the monuments remind you that you are in the city of the dead, and I look forward in imagination to the time when the trump of God shall sound and all that are in their graves shall hear His voice and come forth, those that have done good to the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil to the resurrection of damnation.    

     Oh, what a scene will we then see--some coming forth to life eternal at the first resurrection! Upon them the second death shall have no power. And then at the end of a thousand years the wicked dead come forth. I cannot endure to think of this. I dwell with pleasure upon the resurrection of the just, who shall come forth from all parts of the earth, from rocky caverns, from dungeons, from caves of the earth, from the waters of the deep--not one is overlooked. Every one shall hear His voice. They will come forth with triumph and victory. Then there is to                                       

be no more death, no more sin, no more sorrow.  {21MR 342.5}  

     We witnessed a burial scene last Friday. There was a large building upon the ground where services were held, and the coffin was placed in a small room connected with the building. Several women were there and one after another would bring upon a waiter very rich bouquets and these were received and fastened upon the coffin until it was entirely covered. There were two clergymen of the State Church with their long black gowns and quilled ruffles about the neck and the wrists.   

     The coffin was borne by bearers. There were no carriages. The grave was prepared as was Father's, with evergreens all around it, and the grave was lined with evergreens. I think this was some important personage. But beneath all these wreaths of flowers we knew was death. The coffin was lowered into the grave and the officiating minister was handed a small shovel. He threw a shovelful of earth and then made a few remarks, and another, and another, making some remarks, until the ceremony was ended. He said a few words and all were dismissed, and everything had been conducted in a solemn, impressive manner.  


21MR 342, 343