Those flowers are so beautiful. I miss So. Cal. because of that, but I sure don't miss the crowds. I noticed the ants on the roses and wanted to tell you what I was told about peonies. They have a very tight plethora of petals when they bud, and they need the ants to crawl over the buds to help loosen the petals so it can open more fully. Have any of you heard that before? I wonder if there is anything to it. Good story though. Oriental peoples have wonderful stories of how different factions in nature work together for the benefit of all.