(Lilo, how could I possibly mind such a thing? I'm honored!) Greetings from Panama City! Steve is asleep after a complete day of travel and two non-stop days of tourism, and I've helped myself to his laptop and the internet connection he set up to work while he's here. The world has become an amazingly small place. This is a very short trip for me... I go back tomorrow! But Steve had to come here for work, and my airfare cost only 35,000 of the 200,000+ frequent flier miles he had... so I couldn't say no. For someone who doesn't speak any Spanish, I've really surprised myself (and Steve) with my ability to read menus, understand and answer questions, ask for and follow directions, and interact politely with people here. On the plane ride here, the captain announced that "for those of us who cared, the Panama-US soccer match had resulted in a 0-2 US victory" and I cheered out loud... not because I care a lick about the standing of the US in world soccer, but because he had made the announcement in Spanish, and I understood it fluently in real time. That realization has made this trip richer than I'd imagined. So far we've gone to Gamboa, taken a boat tour to an island to see wildlife and feed monkeys, visited an orchid collection, gone to the zoo, enjoyed several walks and restaurants, toured the city ruins and the old part of the city (which is a strange combination of slums, regentrification, and one town square in particular that was bordered by no less than seven churches), gone to the canal museum, gone to an emerald museum (where Steve offered to buy me whatever I wanted, but where my practicality did not allow it... someone is sure to take away my "chick card"), and we are getting ready to go out to dinner with some important laboratory owners/managers. Someone at work asked my why I was going to Panama the other day and her tone irked me a little so I non-chalantly replied "genital warts" and walked away as though the exchange was in no way unusual. When pressed, I explained that we were here because Steve was presenting some new HPV technology to an important lab here and giving a talk to a group of gynocologists... "so really, my trip is all about genital warts..." She shook her head and walked away, vowing that she'd spare herself my answers by asking me fewer questions. Win-win, really... Di, I got some interesting pictures of a giant freaky bug for you... though I'm sorry to report the pics I took of the unimaginably large spiders didn't turn out so well. Marda, thanks for the book recommendation! I bought a copy of The Omnivore's Dilemma right before we left, and I've been reading it voraciously during the travel time on our trip. I should finish it up in Houston (GBI) during my five freakin hour layover tomorrow. Sorry for the excessively rambling nature of this post, but I don't have time to proof read it! I need to hop in the shower and get ready to enjoy my last night in this city. This has been a phenomenal trip so far!

Marian...thanks for checking in! We worry about you; you know? So glad the kids were in to visit with your DS and glad the new stoves suits you better. I was thinking the same as Eden, maybe you could move that air conditioner into your bedroom at night, at least sleeping may be a little more comfortable. How has the weather been for you lately? Are all the pots of color on your deck still making you smile? I hope so! :-) Michelle...so sorry about the dry weather I know how disheartening that can be. Hopefully, the rains will find you soon. It is amazing how quickly things will perk up with a little rain (including our spirits)! :-) Its been dry here too, though weve had an occasional rain, enough to keep things going anyway. And we are expecting more later in the week Im keeping good thoughts about that. When I was checking my weather, I looked up the Davenport area and they are suppose to have some rain this week-end...hope they makes it to you. I *loved* your song...brought back great memories for me; back in the 7th & 8th grade when we use to have Coke dances. Back in the innocent days, when a Coke was a sugary fizzy liquid that you would drink. That song was playing and I was waiting and waiting and waiting for a certain boy to ask me to dance, sadly he never did...but I still love the song! :-) Babs! Thanks for sharing your special moment. It sounds like a wonderful time and you are quite eloquent yourself. Dont think Id make it as a writer or a philosopher though, since I had to check for the spelling of eloquent...LOL! Please, Please, Please...share the ant when you guys are done...I cant wait to see him! :-) LOL Babs & Michelle on the PMS. I can say with almost 100% certainty, that I *never* PMS anymore! :-) At my age I just have to call it crabby! :-) Oh Babs...been meaning to say to you...Do you remember when I posted that lavender colored Clematis that Marie identified as Betty Corning? I notice you were saying you wanted a bell-shaped clematis. Well, it is lavender colored and is "bell-shaped" and I have to say that I am loving Betty Corning. This is only the 2nd year and she has just been blooming and blooming and blooming her fool head off, with new buds opening every day. I dont know if thats normal, like I say, I havent had her long, but if she keeps this up she is going to end up being my favorite clematis of all time. BTW, I use to grow the white one you were talking about Sweet Autumn (or whatever they call it these days) and it is a beautiful thing in fall, with tons of fragrant blooms, but you really need a "big space" for it. Pretty enthusiastic and does re-seed. I *loved* mine, but had to finally let her go when she swallowed my honeymoon swing and the telephone pole and seeded herself all over the garden. It was just too hard to keep her in control, but I sure did enjoy her and I sure *do* miss her lovely late summer blooms. Honey...I agree totally...thats "TRUE LOVE"! :-) Eden I sure hope you can make it, you would be sorely missed, but more than that, I hope that your mom has a successful, uneventful recovery and I will be keeping good thoughts. I cant believe your Graham Thomas...what a knockout! I have him, but he sure doesnt look like yours, perhaps its because hes been moved around the garden at least four times...LOL! Hope everyone in your family is on the mend with the bug thats been going around Thanks Mary, you hit the nail on the head! Funny, that is something DH and I talk about all the time, how "things" can never make you happy (although hubby does love a nice car...LOL). But seriously, we have talked about that very subject so many times. How getting caught up in "bigger, better" only steals your "life hours". We have also both agreed that the next house will be smaller and less expensive and DHs goal is to actually take a step back in the career aspect, something with less responsibility and stress and I will find a part time job to fund my gardening hobby...obsession, I mean. I guess that is probably not uncommon for people our age (DH & me) to think in those terms. The older I get, the more I want a simpler life. BTW, good luck with the essay and promotion. I agree with Babs, youre a sure bet. My special moment today was finding 3 vintage gardening books for my BF Anitas birthday coming up. I was able to find A Womans Hardy Garden, The Little Bulbs, and Elizabeths German Garden...all in hardcover 1st or 2nd editions...and very inexpensively, I might add! Im so tickled because I know she is going to be so tickled! She has been looking for those 3 books ever since she read mine years ago. :-) Thanks for the ID on your Eryngium Marie. That Centaurea is so pretty...your poppy too! :-) Oh and that Petit Faucon what a *gorgeous* color! I think Id like to find a place for that in my garden. Moose tracks sounds really yummy about now. Ive been mulching, mulching, mulching (thats why I havent been back here) and I bet I could still use about 20 more bags...sigh. I will say that spreading by the bag is easier than when Ive had the "pile" delivered here, but its probably a bit more expensive too in the long run. Sue...I laughed when you said "Will it never end?" and then Marie said "Hopefully not." I agree with you both! I know I always want to futz in the garden, its my hangout and my respite, but sometimes I think, just *once* it would be so nice to walk into the garden and think "How lovely and there is not a single thing I need to do, but enjoy it!" Hi V! :-) Ive been thinking about you. Glad you had a reward for all your hard work. I love a good cookie too...sometimes they dont even have to be baked! :-) Your talk of Starbucks has convinced me I need to get over there and get myself a Frappuccino. I deserve it after all the mulching! Well, I guess I best be moving, first to Starbucks and then back out to the garden. "Hi" to all I missed. Hope everyone has a great day! TTYL! Ei The Ink Spots - Java Jive I love coffee, I love tea I love the java jive and it loves me Coffee and tea and the java and me A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup (boy!) I love java, sweet and hot Whoops Mr. Moto, I'm a coffee pot Shoot the pot and I'll pour me a shot A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup Oh slip me a slug from the wonderful mug And I'll cut a rug just snug in a jug Waiter, waiter, percolator I love coffee, I love tea I love the java jive and it loves me Coffee and tea and the java and me A cup, a cup, a cup, a cup, a cup

Hello all, Im not really new to garden web just new to the Ohio Valley forum. I mostly stick to the Bromeliad forum and i can't believe i didn't think to look for this one. I've got a bunch of Vriesea 'Christine' pups that i've been looking for an excuse to repot if anybody is interested. All i need is an address and ill load up the bromes and girlfriend(to carry them) and im on my way. :)

Ok, nothing like waiting until the last day to dig stuff, especially when one is retired...anywho, this is what I have lined out to dig and bring. I'll be doing the 'specific' stuff first and then if time and energy allows dig or take cuttings of some other things. Tina(Kilngod) Native Jeffersonia diphylla-aka Twin Leaf -- YES a start or 2 of Wild Ginger -- (YES if you have time) a start of Ajuga Burgundy Glow -- YES a start of Metallic Ajuga -- YES a start of Bronze Beauty ajuga -- YES yarrow Terra Cotta -- YES yarrow-Cerise Queen -- (YES if you have time) yarrow Papricka -- YES Lilac-no id, but is not the regular lavender old fashioned one...this one might be a short variety. -- (YES if you have time) Sedum cuttings-Black Jack -- YES Sedum cuttings-Xenox -- YES cuttings of Lady in Red Hydrangea? -- YES (way cool!) Marcia Twinleaf Firepink-Silene Virginica-shade blooming native?-awaiting word on this Jen Monarda 2 butterfly bushes Stellas Hostas Shade bed stuff-Twin Leaf-Solomon's Seal Iris daffs Misc Dreamspirit shade plants- bright sun bed sun/shade bed Misc Jennyfoo Hibiscus-Hardy anything-Misc Please look my list over and post or email me if you see anything of interest. Not listed on my trade list are yarrow-papricka yarrow-Cerise Queen yarrow-Terra Cotta Fire Pinks maybe more There are numerous things (sedums and shrubs) that I can easily bring cuttings of. Sue Here is a link that might be useful: My trade list