Randy, It's not an especially large creek, except when we have a huge thunderstorm and then it turns into a raging torrent of water. The bottom of the creek sits about 8 to 10 feet lower than the wooded areas on both sides of it. It varies from maybe 7 feet wide to 10 feet wide when it has a reasonable amount of water in it during a 'typical' year. At that point in time, it might have water in it to a depth of 4 or 5 feet. After last year's April shower that dropped 9.25" of rain in one day, it had 9 to 11 feet or more of water for a couple of days and was out of the banks and running fast. In July and August it almost always dries up during drought years, but usually a few deep pools remain to give the fish a chance to hang on and survive. I didn't think the creek was large enough to support the beavers, but they must have thought it was. I just couldn't believe the damage they did to the woods. And everywhere that they took out big trees, we had a huge regrowth of poison ivy and greenbrier when that area was suddenly exposed to so much more sunlight. I didn't mind the beavers when all they were taking out was 'trash trees', but then they moved on to the other ones! Our creek was bone dry last year from August to November, and its official name is Dry Hollow Creek, which must be some sort of clue that it has historically been drier more often than not. Some years it gets so low that I don't think it could support minnows. Susan...you mean you planted wild cherry on purpose??? Just teasing. We have them as understory trees and I like them, but lots of folk around here refer to them (and willows) as 'trash trees'. I have willows, too, y'all but don't know if they are black willows. These willows plant themselved everywhere we have standing water....in 3 of the 5 ponds, in the swamp, on the edges of the creek, etc. I do remember Tomato Worm telling me that the willows were a good food source for some butterflies, so I've left them alone. Recently, though, our local electric co-op came through clearing out the fence lines under the power lines and took out tons and tons of willows from the creek bank area. Randy, keep us posted on the beaver project! I emjoy wildlife so much, and try to tolerate the damage they do to the landscape as much as I can. This year (and you WON'T believe I did this) I deliberately left the vegetable garden gate open so the deer, armadillos, possums, raccoons and rabbits could come in and eat. Everything was so dry in our county and I knew the wildlife was suffering, so rather than fight to keep them out, I just let them come in. This year (do not laugh at this idea of mine!!!) I am thinking of planting them their own garden in an open area between two ponds. I know that they like tomatoes, sweet corn, pumpkins (big fuzzy leaves and all), muskmelons and cantaloupe leaves (they didn't mess with the fruit) and ESPECIALLY okra and hollyhocks. A deer trail runs just north of this area, and I already put deer corn and other grains out for them in this area daily during cold weather. Of course, it would be dryland farming. I wouldn't enrich the soil with compost or water the wildlife garden, but it might do OK as long as we have good spring rains. As long as it produced stuff for them to eat, I'd be happy. And, no, I don't expect they'll stay completely out of my big veggie garden, but it IS fenced and that helps a lot, as long as I close the gate! Dawn

Carol, it's so wonderful seeing you back at our Gallery! We miss your sunshiney presence I've been noticing wonderful sweet Debbie/Dovesong, has very occasionally posted too. I'm hoping that your roses flourishing will help keep you at the Gallery! Boxo came back so that I can happily stalk his Garden to my heart's content, lol!.... Carol, I hope your Lincoln is continuing to do well. Mine are 10' awkward giants, yeeeeeeks! Speaking about all our Rosie friends who inspire us, my Folklore and Broceliande was because of Markiz, Distant Drums was a gift from Jim, I got Compassion and Viking Queen because of Florence, I got Purple Beauty, Coronado, Typhoo Tea because of Beth, I got Marchesa Boccella because of Krista! :D HarmonyP and Carol, yes, Border Collies are sooo graceful and smart and beautiful the way they work sooo hard and want to please their owner. They always want to be by your side accompanying you, and in their eyes you are the Shepherd and they need to be told what next new goal to accomplish.... And oh, that intelligence is just amazing. HarmonyP, yes, the debate against Border Collie pet breeding is a very! serious issue, and yes, I do think it's appropriate to get on a soap box about this. BCs should never ever be bred save to breed for that intelligence, that keenness and sensitivity and love for work and never, ever! for looks or prettiness. Owning a B.C. comes with a heavy load of responsibility and dedication. They are not! a hobby or just-for-fun dog. Carol, many females have better biddability and are easier and faster to train because of this sensitivity factor; whereas sometimes! males because of their huge strength and size just become too independent-minded and on their-own-track of thought. I will ask my friend Pam which ones win more at trials-- male or female. She attends lots and lots of trials since it is her profession. Hehe, here are my final sets of photos, Rosie friends! Troika HT: Viking Queen Climber: Don Juan Climber: Royal Sunset Climber: And some new companion planting photos: As you can tell from Little E's photo, it's really hot in Kansas!!!

Always learning, I am feeling pretty good. Still having back and ligament problems but between meds and an enormous brace holding up my belly it isn't too bad. We have had several ultrasounds and at each one the baby has his legs crossed at the ankles with the cord in between his or her legs. So hoping that next month he will be more visible and we can see what we are having. Judy jay The oldest is Rhiannon it sounds out like this Ree-ann-on. We got it from a Fleetwood Mac song and Rhiannon is also a Celtic Goddess. Thanks for all the complements. I found a frame with a bike on it just like DH's even down to the saddle bags so took the pic and framed it for father's day. Stacie girlsingardens

Ok Dev well you hit the nail on the head... except I never got a quote so the charge was a surprise to me! Not impressed but they decided to remove the charge so I guess the issue is rectified which I do appreciate. So I guess the message is to always get a quote to make sure everyone is on the same page. I kind of had trust that everything would be fair considering we all share this crazy citrus passion but I guess that's not the way the world works. Anyway I am happy it is resolved. Thanks Laura I thought I should say something but of course didn't want to be too rash. I hate surprises like that. Oh well, all is good now and the key lime luckily didn't get affected by the hail so that's something positive! It's darn thorny though I have already been stuck a few times!