The sun never set, etc. England was responsible for some of the most populous countries in the world (like India) being familiar with and fluent in English. As to Mr. Clement's quote. Let's consider it in context. When one traveled in his era, by comparison to today, it was a leisurely travel. A trip 'abroad' meant weeks aboard a steamer and months of absence. There were no international Holiday Inns where an American could go from point A to point B eating nothing but hamburgers and expecting all waitpersons to be fluent in English. I find it hard to consider two weeks on holiday on any continent, where one sees a different country each day, much of a learning experience in culture. One has to dig in for awhile and let some life happen to really begin to understand that we are all pretty much alike under the surface. I have always been so very thankful to have lived abroad for years. Been forced to learn another language or two. Not been able to surround myself with an enclave of people of only my nationality. Experience the same fears, shortages, natural disasters that the natives of those countries did. In the same vein, I know some English folks who think all of America resembles either NYC, or Disneyworld. Those are the only two places they've ever been in America and by extrapolation, think that's all there is. It is very fun to get them to come to the heartland and see for themselves that those two exotic places are as exotic to us as to them.

If anyone went, I'm sure we'd all appreciate a report on plant selection and prices... (hint, hint :-)

We are about 6 inches behind in rain for this year. And last night it got down to 30.4 degrees. Covered the tomatoes, peppers, strawberries in full flower, etc. Last week's freeze got some of my perennials though - hardy kiwi vine, ostrich ferns, spikenard, wild yam, irises (which were in bud). We'll see how the fruit trees do!

I had a great ending to a stressful week. We had a magic show at school today and it was great. The kids really enjoyed it and about 12 of them got to go on stage and be "stars" for the day. We had all the kids come at once, so I got the afternoon off! TGIF fer sure! I went shopping for something to wear for graduation. Not sure I like what I got, but maybe it has more to do with the fact that I tried on the skirt with black knees highs. LOL I need to see if I can pull the outfit together at home before I decide if I want to keep it. debi - I hope everything went well for you! Post as soon as you can so we can stop worrying. Tikanas - You are right. If you miss more than a few days, it is impossible to catch up and address everyone. Sometimes, that keeps me from posting, cause I don't want to leave anyone out. Speed dating! Hmmm.........kinda glad I don't have to deal with that. I am terrible at on the spot witty conversations. I always think of something witty I could have said the next day! LOL BJ - I think every one of us has gone through some periods where we have self doubts and bouts of depression. I know I have. A few weeks ago, my DS called and said that since DD wasn't graduating in May, he wasn't sure when he was coming home. Maybe not until Sept. I got off the phone and cried! He's been gone for over a year and it just seemed to hit me that he won't be back! I am slowing coming back to acceptance, but I was in a bad way for a few weeks. But I have to say that more than once, when I have been in a jam, I have said "What would BJ say or do?" Besh - Did you say that you had read Jodi Picoult's new book? I have it on the top of my TBR pile. I have officially filled up my new bookcase, so now I had better read one of my books before I buy a new one! LOL But I can't seem to stay out of the halfprice book store. It calls to me when I drive past. I only have 19 days of school left! This year has flown by! I was keeping track of my food intake on fitday.com and was on track until yesterday. I couldn't get enough to eat for some reason. Then we went out to dinner tonight and I over ate again. Guess I will try to get back on track tomorrow. I would kill for some chocolate right now though! John - Wise and wonderful as usual! My DS has a wonderful wicked sense of humor too. I think he is learning that he has to keep it in check now that he is out in the "real" world. But it is one of the things that I love most about him. miscindy - I love to quilt. I won a Viking sewing machine a few years back but was disappointed to learn it was the most basic of their machines. So I saved some $s and traded up for the quilter's machine and I love it. I have a Christmas quilt that only needs the borders sewn on and it will be ready to quilt. I sewed it all by hand and I want to finish it by hand, so I refuse to use my machine for that. Finishing it is high on my list of things to accomplish this summer. Milkdud - You seem to be on the mend. As Martha would say, "That's a good thing." Hope your trip to the mall was successful. DeeMarie - Have you come up for air yet? LOL You are one busy gal. 3 days of meetings? Not sure I could do that. But then most people say they couldn't spend 10 minutes let alone 2 1/2 hours in my preschool class with 24 kids, so I guess I am where I should be! LOL Raeanne - A riding lawn mower could be fun!! I would be h*ll on wheels on one! Patti - Where are you? Come visit please! Donna - I hope your friend is feeling better. Don't you love 4 day weekends? Joanne - Hugs to you. Did you fit in those golf games? Jen - Is Erica almost done with preschool? I can't believe it is almost May. Maddie - Have a great weekend in your "new" digs! LOL Hope the dinner goes smoothly and no one chokes on those staples! LOL NHSuzanne - You are our own Dr. Doolittle. We get to hold baby chicks and baby ducks at the farm we go to every spring. In fact, we are going there next Thursday with our 3-year olds. I always look forward to that field trip and hope every year that there are also kittens and bunnies to hold. zig - I went shoe shopping today but I couldn't find what I was looking for. I need dressy brown sandals that I won't break a leg trying to walk in. I am not sure who some of these shoes are designed for, but I guess I will have to keep looking. Has anyone heard from Magic Kitty lately? I know she was moving and I was wondering how she was doing. Hi to anyone that I missed. I tried, honestly, to include everyone. Have a great weekend, Marci