Roses are difficult here

The title of this post refers to the title of a well-known book in these parts, and it refers to the difficulty of growing roses in a climate that has frequent winter drought conditions.  I have grown many roses in my yard, only one of which has survived.  It grows by the back deck and whenever it snows we sweep the snow onto the rose to give it some protection over the winter.
My personal difficulty with roses is drawing them.  My goal during my summer off work was to learn to draw roses (and cats, but that's another story).  There have been many badly drawn, unrecognizable roses here, lots of frustration and despair.  But this one is OK, I think I had a bit of a breakthrough on the shape and curvature of the petals.  I worked from a couple of books, and the actual roses blooming by the deck.  And really, any day spent drawing roses on the deck simply has to be a good day.
"Roses are Difficult Here" by W.O. Mitchell 1990
Watercolot pencils in Robert Bteman sketchbook