The birds aren't actually 'eating out of my mouth'. They land on my hand and pluck a single sunflower seed from between my lips. Of course, that neat photo op isn't mandatory ....... whatever you're comfortable with, or not. Individual birds of a species don't seem to vary much in personality, excepting how aggressively individuals defend their territory, there's variance in that, and nuthatches seem to be most territorial of the birds I've fed from hand. Even they relax though, in their tendency to chase away competitors when there are plenty of sunflower seeds in the offing. Different species are blessed with often markedly different behavioral traits, though. I'm one of those people not bothered by cold. We've had week after week of sub-zero night lows and daytime highs of 20* or lower, yet I've never worn anything warmer than a duck vest with a flannel lining ..... except when I run the snow blower - THEN I wear a coat to stay dry. I can endure the cold, but not so much when I'm wet. I said all that so I can say that I just walk out in the back yard and feed the birds whenever I want w/o much concern for the weather - though you won't find me out in the rain feeding the birds and enduring what Mother Nature dishes out with the same stoicism as that of a cow standing in the rain. It's fun, but not THAT much fun. Al

Joanie, while I've read that several times before I still laugh at it - so true! As someone who has a dog and is owned by 3 cats I can totally relate. We really did buy a king size bed several years ago when our little dog slept sideways on it and I was crowded in our queen size. Hard to believe a 17 lb. dog can stretch out 36" long! We've now banished them all from our new queen size bed! But I still have company in the powder room. One of our cats will scratch on the door, just like a dog, if the door is closed! *rolleyes*

At last I have finished Trollope's The Warden and . . . for Sheri . . . who couldn't remember the 'plot' It concerns the warden, kind old Rev Mr Harding, who is in charge of the Barchester 'hospital' ie alms houses for 12 old 'beadsmen' of the city. A young radical hot-head John Bold, believes that Harding is taking too much money as his stipend from the Trust, which should go to the old men instead. People take sides, even the pensioners, not understanding Harding already gives them an allowance out of his own pocket. The London newspapers take up the story leading to innocent-in-the-ways-of-the-world Harding resolves to leave his post and live on a very small amount of money in a tiny parish. Tied in with this is the bossy Archdeacon, the kindly Bishop and the lovely Eleanor Harding who spends too much time, in that rather unhealthy Victorian way, weeping on the bosom of her Father . . . and he on hers.

Yes, some roses are just more stubborn than others. I've grown several OGRs that refused to bloom for more than a year. Anticipation.... Eventually, blooms arrived...on their own schedules. Since your rose is from Palatine, it should be a solid garden plant once it's established. I've had great luck with that nursery. If your Variegata di B is residing in a shadier location than YdA, it will probably be slower to bloom. Also, my experience with Variagata di B is that it takes awhile to fully prepare for its grand performance, whereas YdA jumps into gear like the enthusiastic Hybrid Perpetual/Damask Perpetual that she is. Variegata di B is a rose with a healthy ego, and it can be a real Prima Donna in many climates. (Feed me, spray me, worship me!) Similar roses, like Honorine de Brabant, often bloom right out of the starting gate. I have disbudded HdB because she was too young to bloom and needed a more mature root system under her canes and generous blossoms. Variagata di B seems to cover itself in lush growth and flower only when it feels the roots and canes are ready to serve as a supporting cast during its decadent, candy-striped aria. Note: the first flushes can, nonetheless, be what I'd call "somewhat wimpy," but be patient. It crescendos over the years until it becomes a glorious WOW! In my experience, the remontancy isn't great either. A few blooms. But oh that spring flush!! How do you say "magnificent" in Italian? I hope this helps allay your worries. Carol