Is It Too Early for the Grinch?

During my recent visit to my son's home in Fremont, California, I did something I always do. I wandered around the house with my eyes wide open, looking for interesting subjects to photograph.

This rose bud stopped me dead in my tracks.

I thought I was looking at a botanical incarnation of Dr. Seuss' Grinch and stood there with my mouth open. Who can dismiss that strange face, and who could predict that a bud soon to erupt in beauty would remind me of the Grinch?

I mean, just look at it. If that doesn't remind you of the Grinch, then I don't know what will.