I used to grow callirhoe in a previous garden. It was a sprawler but flowered forever and I loved the color. I would definitely plant that again if I came across it. 'Ice Ballet' asclepias is fairly new to my current garden, but so far I am really liking it's vase shaped form. I see plenty of flower buds forming now, so I'm hopeful for a good show.

I have osteopenia and am not on any meds or particular supplements yet nor has my dr mentioned starting. I'm also small boned and haven't ever been an athlete so exercise is a hard hurdle for me! Since retirement I have been trying to make it a priority. With interruptions for surgery, the pandemic closings and then a frozen shoulder(!), I am trying to do resistance/weight training 2-3 times weekly. But regular weight bearing exercise.....that's proving very, very hard because I can't seem to self motivate myself into regular routines. Walking outside is definitely an option especially as our hellish summer starts to wind down, but since I prefer to go after dinner when the worst of the sun exposure is over it seems every night my choice of go walk a couple of miles v. lounge around and watch tv is a battle that's over before it starts LOL. Lately I've been telling myself that after the weight training circuit at my gym I owe myself 20 minutes on the elliptical or treadmill. That gives me ~1.5 miles and if I can make myself keep it up, hopefully that will help these old bones. I just signed up with one of the personal trainers at my gym, which is part of a medical complex. They offer 30 minute sessions, so I will go twice weekly and have her 1) show me a routine that will help with my strength goals and 2) help me incorporate several exercise options, including weight training, weight bearing exercise and my Pilates habit to move me further toward a healthy body as I age. It's not about the visible changes really, but about staying strong instead of becoming weak and frail!

I understand about working with black but it sure does make bright fabric look good. I love Kona Cotton Jet Black but I don't use much black lately. You quilt looks nice, Lois. Take break from black now....... lol

I have six of these scattered around the yard. Each is different and I painted them dark green. I paid nothing for them as I picked them up on trash day since some people's trash is my treasure. I think they were called motel chairs because many years ago they sat outside old motels.