Old books & old roses

One thing I've enjoyed about our little town is the abundant opportunity to purchase used books... library sales, church attic sales, and thrift stores.  I haven't indulged in a library sale recently, but we've just had a very pleasant season of church attic sales, and our local Salvation Army Thrift Store has a "system" that I've really enjoyed in recent months. 

The thrift store usually sells books for 39 cents (paperback) and 79 cents (hardcover).  But... they label incoming books with a colored sticker on the spine, and each week, a different color goes on sale for half-price.  Yes!  That means that some books each week cost 20 or 40 cents.  Oh, my. :)

I've indulged sufficiently that I'm now hoping that they put a bookcase out for sale soon! :)

They've had a flush of vintage books lately, and I've brought home several.  I don't know yet whether the contents are lovely, but I certainly think their covers are, and I've very much enjoyed seeing my pretty stack.

Rain was forecast yesterday, so I gathered roses from our back fence before the showers and arranged a petite bouquet for my room.  I don't know how old the vine is, but it predates our sojourn in this home, so it's the "old rose." 

It blooms over our chain link fence, intertwined with honeysuckle.  The roses are pale pink, delicately scented, and fragile.  Such a lovely display in a utilitarian sort of spot.  Such a lovely gift from someone before me...

Such a lovely gift from my heavenly Father.

I've moved the bouquet to my desk to enjoy while they fade.

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth:
but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
Isaiah 40:8