Azaleas, And Remembering A Departed Friend

Yeah, Another Blogger

Here in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, spring has been a winner. Flora began doing their awakening thing in the second half of March, proceeding to display their newly birthed goods vividly and abundantly as the days went by. I’m a big fan of spring, something that wasn’t the case till eight or so years ago, when I was roughly 70 years old. I guess I just didn’t pay all that much attention to spring prior to that. All I can say is that I’m glad I began to appreciate the natural bounty right smack in front of my eyes.

My previous story was spring-inspired. Thus, I was reluctant to follow it up with another springtime tale. But I felt the urge to do so, and I allowed that urge to direct me appropriately. “Head to Jenkintown and seek out its azalea bushes,” the urge said to me. And I did, depositing myself in Jenkintown, a pretty village located a few miles from my home, in mid-afternoon on the first Tuesday of this month. The skies were as blue as you could hope for. The temperature, however, was a good bit higher than I’d have dialed up if I were in charge of things. While it’s true I didn’t sweat like a f*cking pig while walking around Jenkintown, I sweated quite profusely nonetheless. I definitely ain’t into sweating, but I soldiered on.

Jenkintown’s azalea bushes, fully abloom, looked great. Though possibly at least several days past their absolute prime, the azalea flowers were loaded with color and bursting with energy. I walked along many of the town’s blocks, my phone’s camera at the ready. There were fewer azalea bushes than I’d expected to find, but certainly more than enough. I took over 20 photos, five of which accompany this article.

The front of the corner property.
The side of the corner property.

I encountered the day’s most amazing azalea display at the tail end of the hike. It was on a corner property at the intersection of Summit Avenue and Highland Avenue. I have no doubt it is the greatest azalea arrangement in all of Jenkintown. Large azaleas sit near the house, which is about 50 feet from the sidewalks. And their equally large, and larger, siblings occupy lots and lots and lots of space along the sidewalks.  Man, you don’t get to see a juicy-red spectacle like this every day!

I began to think about my friend Jeff, deceased now for 16 months, soon after I arrived home from Jenkintown. That’s because he and I strolled together through Jenkintown on two occasions that I can recall, and probably more times than that. On our walks in Jenkintown, and wherever else we met up, we talked about a wide range of topics: sports, music, movies, politics, our personal lives, and plenty of others. Our interests overlapped comfortably, and our wavelengths meshed. I miss Jeff a lot. He’s in my thoughts many days.

Jeff and I spent time with one another frequently, starting in 2009, which is when our friendship vaulted from casual to close. I’d have enjoyed my azalea walk this month even more than I did if Jeff, a sweet guy, had been tagging along.  Not everyone is up for searching for azaleas in flower, to state the obvious. Jeff would have been though. And he happily would have joined me in oohing and aahing over them.

I’ve said words to this effect before in Yeah, Another Blogger: you can’t have too many friends, especially close ones. I was a bit over the age-60 mark when Jeff and I became true friends, and he was a bit under it. It was around that same time that I made several more excellent pals, including Jeff’s wife Joan. Since then, though, no others have entered my life. This troubles me. I’m certain it’s true that making friends becomes harder the older you get. And I’m frigging old. I haven’t given up hope, though. I think it’s totally possible that developing another strong friendship is in the cards for me. More than one would be a whole lot better. It goes without saying, then, that I don’t take my existing friendships for granted. They are important to me, and vital for my emotional and mental health. Life would be dreary and unnervingly close to pointless without good friends.

140 thoughts on “Azaleas, And Remembering A Departed Friend”

  1. Lynette d'Arty-Cross's avatar Lynette d'Arty-Cross May 19, 2026 / 12:12 am

    Good friends are absolute gems and like all those lovely azaleas, you can’t have too many or too many posts about them. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. petespringer's avatar petespringer May 19, 2026 / 12:18 am

    My wife is the flower lover in our family, but even I can appreciate the beauty of azaelas.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. Suzanne's avatar Suzanne May 19, 2026 / 12:53 am

    Stunning azaleas. When illness hits, you find out who your true friends are. Many dissappear.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. Geoff Stamper's avatar Geoff Stamper May 19, 2026 / 1:21 am

    Yep, on Monday I had the occasional lunch with seven of us who met in 10th grade. Nothing better! And a shout out to all who provide the amazing flowers we all get to enjoy.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. Unknown's avatar Anonymous May 19, 2026 / 1:47 am

    Flowers and friendship. How lovely! I’m sorry for your loss, but glad you had such a good friend and sweet memories. Just last month, at the age of 76, I made a new friend. He moved into the house two doors down, and not only did we hit it off right away, but a few hours later we realized we’d already met at our bowling league, AND that we’d grown up in the same neighborhood as children (75 miles away from where we now reside.) You never know who will cross your path if you are open to surprises.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. Ortensia's avatar Ortensia May 19, 2026 / 2:40 am

    Those azaleas are absolutely beautiful, what a walk you have over there to enjoy, no matter if with a company or not. 💕

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  7. Sheree's avatar Sheree May 19, 2026 / 3:45 am

    Fabulous display of azaleas and Jeff was with you, he was in your heart and thoughts.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. Paddy Tobin's avatar Paddy Tobin May 19, 2026 / 4:02 am

    The residents of Jenkinstown have worked wonders with their garden displays. They should be deservedly proud of their work and it must be a pleasure to live and walk in such surroundings and well worth your while to journey to view them. How good to have a friend and such a sadness to lose one. It certainly is the case that the number of friends decreases as we age and especially so if, as with me, we have not been in the habit of making friends over the years. There’s much to recommend companionship, good company, an open ear and a pleasant voice.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  9. Emma's avatar Emma May 19, 2026 / 4:27 am

    Marvellous displays. Remembering what you enjoyed doing with people, or thinking about how much they might have liked something is a far more fitting memorial than a gravestone.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  10. Platypus Man's avatar Platypus Man May 19, 2026 / 5:21 am

    A true friend lives on inside you, even when their heart stops beating. Fabulous azaleas.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  11. Sherri MP's avatar Sherri MP May 19, 2026 / 5:23 am

    Really enjoyed how your azalea walk made you think about your friendship. Both are kinds of beauty that we need in our lives.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  12. swabby429's avatar swabby429 May 19, 2026 / 6:19 am

    Those azalea bushes are gorgeous. I echo your thoughts about aging and friends. As I’ve grown older, I’ve lost several to accidents and disease. It’s more difficult to meet true blue friends to share time face to face, but possible nontheless.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  14. The Introverted Bookworm's avatar The Introverted Bookworm May 19, 2026 / 7:03 am

    Sorry for the loss of your friend. Thanks for sharing these lovely photos of Jenkintown’s azalea bushes! They are so colorful and uplifting.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  15. Alyson's avatar Alyson May 19, 2026 / 7:28 am

    Beautiful pictures and sad that you didn’t have Jeff walking with you.

    Since semi-retiring I feel I have more time for friends and some have gone from being casual to close. Also, since starting to volunteer for a local charity I have made many new friends through that. Agree that it can get harder the older you get though. Make the most of the ones you have and see them often.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  16. gabychops's avatar gabychops May 19, 2026 / 7:42 am

    Thank you so much, Neil, for another of your uplifting posts! As I love flowers your wonderful photos of azaleas reminded me th

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  17. Deb's avatar Deb May 19, 2026 / 7:52 am

    Good memories of friends and moments shared… and the beautiful things that spark those memories. I miss azaleas, even though their blooms are short lived. We don’t have them here in this very different landscape. Rhododendrons always reminded me of my dad. He planted beautiful ones all across the front of our house. None of those here either.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger May 19, 2026 / 4:15 pm

      I’m surprised that azaleas aren’t cultivated in your state. Maybe it yet will happen!

      Like

      Reply
  19. J P's avatar J P May 19, 2026 / 8:35 am

    I am right there with you on missing friends who are no longer with us. Close friendships are not as common as they should be (at least for me) and they have been leaving my life faster than I have gotten new ones.

    The floral shots are real life-enhancers!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  20. greenpete58's avatar greenpete58 May 19, 2026 / 8:57 am

    Our old house had pink azaleas much like those here. I also like them because they’re low maintenance. And your thoughts about friends are very true. With this awful political climate, friends are tough to maintain, so the few you can keep are appreciated.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  21. Helen Devries's avatar Helen Devries May 19, 2026 / 9:26 am

    Gorgeous azaleas! When working in London I used to go Kew Gardens to see them in bloom.

    As to friends, I lost a number over Brexit….and the tally has not mounted since.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  23. Kim Smith's avatar Kim Smith May 19, 2026 / 10:01 am

    Wow, stunning azaleas on that corner! That display reminds me of burning bushes in the fall. Neil, you’re so right about the importance of close friends as we age. I’m a bit more than a decade behind you, and I think about how my life will change as my friend’s pass away. I almost panicked sometimes thinking about it. But I go out of my way to maintain my close friendships these days, determined to enjoy the heck out of them while I can. Only one of my friends is younger than me, so I guess I should do something about that. Thanks for another lovely thought provoking post.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  24. Unknown's avatar Anonymous May 19, 2026 / 10:06 am

    I was advised years ago to cultivate friends older, younger, and the same age, and have tried to do that. But it gets harder to have older friends now, sadly.

    Love the pictures!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger May 19, 2026 / 4:22 pm

      I agree that having friends of varying ages is a fine idea. I’d like to have friends 10 or more years younger than me, but it hasn’t happened. Not yet, anyway.

      Like

      Reply
  25. Sam Gridley's avatar Sam Gridley May 19, 2026 / 10:49 am

    Azaleas are almost too spectacular for my taste, but friends are just right. Neil, this post is a fine memorial to Jeff.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  26. johnlmalone's avatar johnlmalone May 19, 2026 / 11:04 am

    those gorgeous azaleas, Neil, drenched in colour; enjoyed your ruminations on aging and friendship; yes, my friends are longstanding esp my Friday mates; we’ve been meeting now for over 35 years; we’ve lost and gained some over this time but it is the social highlight of our lives 🙂 new, close friends alas are hard to find 😦

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger May 19, 2026 / 4:25 pm

      Wow, it’s great you have a group of friends you’ve been meeting up with regularly for decades. That’s pretty spectacular.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  27. Anabel @ The Glasgow Gallivanter's avatar Anabel @ The Glasgow Gallivanter May 19, 2026 / 11:19 am

    Beautiful azaleas, especially on the corner property. There are a few houses near us who grow them but the best display was always in the area of Glasgow where I used to work, Jordanhill. Every garden seemed to have at least one. With you on the value of friendship. I like friends you can have a good heart to heart with, I’m not so much a group chat kind of person.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  28. John W. Howell's avatar John W. Howell May 19, 2026 / 11:26 am

    Love azaleas, Neil. I, too, am dammed old and the passing of friends is a way of life. Finding new ones is difficult since most people my age are confined in doors somewhere and not out riding a bike or exercising. Still, good to be keeping on.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  29. Jacqui Murray's avatar Jacqui Murray May 19, 2026 / 11:48 am

    Those top crimson colored azaleas look just like the waterfall of bougainvillea over my back fence. It took over ten years to take, but now has taken over. Gorgeous displays, Neil.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  30. Laurie Graves's avatar Laurie Graves May 19, 2026 / 12:21 pm

    First, wowsah! Those azaleas. What a glorious sight. Who could ever get tired of those spring beauties. As for friends…so sorry about Jeff. Sounds like a real kindred spirit, and I know from personal experience how hard it is to lose such a friend. And, yes, it does seem harder to make friends now that I am older. When I was younger, it was pretty easy for me to make friends. Now, not so much. I wonder why that is.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  31. mariezhuikov's avatar mariezhuikov May 19, 2026 / 12:35 pm

    Sorry to hear about the loss of your friends. It seems harder to make them as we grow older and more set in our patterns. Those flowers are gorgeous! I’ve tried to grow azaleas in our yard — there are special northern varieties — but no luck.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  32. Unknown's avatar Anonymous May 19, 2026 / 1:14 pm

    Beautiful blooms … a bittersweet post. May we cherish all those who enter our lives, regardless of how short (and sweet) that time may be.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  33. Unknown's avatar Anonymous May 19, 2026 / 2:09 pm

    A lovely thoughtful and inspiring post. Thank you

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  34. Rosaliene Bacchus's avatar Rosaliene Bacchus May 19, 2026 / 2:13 pm

    Wow, Neil, the red azalea bushes on the corner property are quite stunning! Your buddy Jeff was right there beside you, oohing and aahing over them. “All’s good, Pal,” he says, with a big smile on his face.

    It does get harder making new friends as we age. It’s possible, but may not be the same kind of close relationship you shared with Jeff. I became friends with a male neighbor, ten years my senior, who appreciated the garden I had created and cared for in his area. His death came as a shock to me.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger May 19, 2026 / 4:41 pm

      I guess the best way to make friends for older people is to join clubs, go to seminars, etc. There’s always a chance we’d find somebody there to connect with.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  35. Unknown's avatar Anonymous May 19, 2026 / 4:02 pm

    I love azaleas and have several in my yard. They’re gorgeous but I wish their bloom period was longer.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  36. Unknown's avatar Joyce Hamilton May 19, 2026 / 4:15 pm

    Nice photos! So sorry for your loss of a friend! 😪🥰

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  37. WanderingCanadians's avatar WanderingCanadians May 19, 2026 / 5:38 pm

    It’s amazing to see how much the landscape transforms during the spring. Beautiful captures of the azaleas in bloom. We have a small one in our garden, but it hasn’t started blooming yet. Making friends definitely becomes harder the older you get. And when you get even older, it can be tough to say goodbye to the friends you’ve made. You’re right, life would be pretty boring without good friends.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  38. richardbist's avatar richardbist May 19, 2026 / 6:01 pm

    A very thoughtful post, my friend. First, loved the azalea photos. We have quite a few down here in North Florida, although the recent drought has limited the flowering.

    Also, a lovely remembrance of your friend. I think that, as we get older, friends leave us more often than arrive. You’re lucky to have continued to make friends.

    Hope you continue to share your adventures.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger May 19, 2026 / 10:08 pm

      Hi there, Richard. I didn’t think about the importance of friendships when I was younger. I think that schools/colleges should emphasize the importance to their students. Making and having friends is a key to life.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  39. kegarland's avatar kegarland May 19, 2026 / 6:34 pm

    First of all, I don’t know why it hadn’t dawned on me that you’re nearly 80, Neil. That’s a big deal!

    Also, I’d like to think that Jeff is still walking with you sometimes. I don’t know why. It just warms my heart to visualize that.

    Lastly, I’m so glad to see you believe in multigenerational friendships, as I do, too.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger May 19, 2026 / 10:13 pm

      Hi, Kathy. I appreciate your comments and observations. And I’ll add that I can barely get my head around my advanced age. It blows my mind!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  41. Michele Anderson's avatar Michele Anderson May 19, 2026 / 7:37 pm

    I’m so sorry to hear of your friend’s passing. It’s hard to meet people you really share so much with. Good friends are precious. I love the pictures of the azaleas. I have never seen them so big and beautiful. Mine are small but cute.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  43. Joni's avatar Joni May 19, 2026 / 8:30 pm

    Those azaleas are gorgeous! I don’t think we can grow them here as I am too far north. Sorry for the loss of your friend – it is a sad fact of being this age that we start to lose people. I agree it’s harder to make friends when you are older – I started going to a local book club hoping I would make some new friends as most of mine don’t live close enough to walk together or grab a coffee, but after a year I would say while some of the ladies are nice, it’s superficial at best. They don’t even linger to chat after. You can’t get to know someone well unless you spend some time with them, which is why it’s so easy to make friends when you are younger, at work or school or hobbies.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger May 19, 2026 / 10:21 pm

      Hi Joni. I think you have the right idea, though. Joining clubs, going to lectures, taking classes, etc. are some of the ways to potentially make new friends. I haven’t done any of those things in years, so I need to start!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  45. eden baylee's avatar eden baylee May 20, 2026 / 9:09 am

    Beautiful flowers.

    I’m so sorry to hear of your friend’s passing. :(I hope, that where ever he is, he knows you’re writing about him and we’re all thinking of him.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  46. rkrontheroad's avatar rkrontheroad May 20, 2026 / 2:18 pm

    The azaleas are dazzling, worth a visit and walk. This was a lovely tribute to your friend. I’m over 70 now and find it hard to make new friends as well. We have to treasure the ones we have, and remember the special ones we lost.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger May 20, 2026 / 4:34 pm

      Hi. Thanks a lot for adding your thoughts. “The Importance Of Making And Keeping Friends” should be a required course in schools.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  47. Paula B's avatar Paula B May 20, 2026 / 4:17 pm

    I’m so sorry about Jeff. You know, I met an older woman on a train once, and she told me that losing her best friend was the worst kick in the teeth she’d ever experienced. I almost lost my best friend a couple of years ago and I know what that woman meant. I would say that, as an introvert, I’ve always assumed that making new friends at my age would be almost impossible. But I’m finding lately that most people welcome a conversation, or maybe just a quick compliment. So even if we’re not always out there joining clubs, a kind remark to a passing stranger can sometimes unearth a treasure.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger May 20, 2026 / 6:24 pm

      Hi. Your suggestions and observations are wise. I need to do more to try and meet new people.

      Like

      Reply
  48. Diana L Forsberg's avatar Diana L Forsberg May 20, 2026 / 4:49 pm

    Beautiful photos! And a very thoughtful post. I am sorry to hear about your friend’s passing. He sounded like a wonderful friend. It is hard to lose someone dear. I have always been an introvert; so, I don’t have a ton of friends. But I value the ones I have. I called an old friend yesterday who I hadn’t seen in a while, and I really enjoyed talking to her. I am sure that new friends are in the cards for you, and I hope for me as well.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  49. katelon's avatar katelon May 22, 2026 / 11:42 am

    Beautiful photos! I love Azaleas, they are so delicate and vibrant. How fun to have a close by town to hunt for flowers.

    Your friend sounds like he was a great friend to have. Im older, too, and making friends does seem harder now. But I agree they are very important for us to have at all ages.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  50. equinoxio21's avatar equinoxio21 May 22, 2026 / 3:18 pm

    Sorry about your friend. It’s always a blow, because indeed, one doesn’t make (many) new friends as age goes by.

    But you have a lot on WP, don’t you? 😉

    Spring. Living in mexico with no winter nor Spring, I realise that winter is a condition of Spring. Without (a hard) winter you don’t really enjoy Spring do you? Only been once in Philly, round November. Business. Froze my butt. So I can imagine your snowy winters. Montreal is probably colder than you, but when we went a couple years back in the summer, I was surprised at the zillions of flowers everywhere. As if people knew spring/summer is short, and compensate by decorating the city with flowers. Very nice.

    Happy weekend.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger May 22, 2026 / 11:19 pm

      Hi. You’re absolutely correct —- spring where I live is a relief and a joy partly because of the cold, drab winter that precedes it.
      See ya!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

Leave a comment