Mwheel, yes, messages are posted on EST, so when I get up ealy in the morning, you folks back East have had your cofee and breakfast already, but it's hard for me to be late with quotes if I can get them out before bed-time, and then, if I want to, sleep in (doesn't happen, cats and dog will see to that).

Campanula, I'm so jealous of you & your EYES FOR YOU! Now that's a rose we need to get over here in the US! But, a really lovely "similar" rose I got from Edmunds this season that did very well for me is BULL'S EYE. Beautiful Hulthemia big-eyed blooms that change color and repeat really well. Loved it! And a new one I got from Pickering from Fryer's is JAM & JERUSALEM. Lovely apricot-y peachy blooms that repeated really well throughout the season. Kind of a shortish plant, but very lovely. Yet another one I got from Pickering is LET'S CELEBRATE, another Fryer rose. This first season it didn't do all that great, but the deer got to it a couple of times. But the blooms are going to be very interesting to watch over the next few yrs as the plant matures. It's a very interesting mauve with a white reverse, and it's supposed to get all speckly and spotty. Mine did a little bit, but, like I said the deer got to it so I only ever got the one flush on it. Plus it's in a pot in a not-so-sunny area of the yard. I think I need to move it... or just get it in the ground! And a rose I got from Vintage at the end of the season here, is PICNIC. The cute little plant arrived with two whopping blooms that lasted for weeks! I'm gonna love this one!! Oh, and one of my absolute favorites from this yr was actully one of the J&P test roses. Not sure if they will every release it, but I sure hope so. It's gorgeous!! I certainly hope someone does start selling BLUE FOR YOU again soon. You guys are missing out on a truly gorgeous and verrry "blue" rose! Got mine from Cliff before he closed up, and it's been a real stunner. It's in mostly shade. Does really well!

Beyond the Day Lily garden was a Hosta Garden. I didn't have much opportunity to explore much beyond the field, day lily garden and hosta garden. But I saw they had quite a few trails, with the main loop being 1.5 miles. DD will be back at camp in Acton in August. I will definitely find time to do more exploring at the Arboretum at that time. Here is a link that might be useful: Acton Arboreturm

Rosefolly - What a surprise to find someone here whose father invented the very thing we're talking about! Since I didn't touch the epoxy (wore new workmen's cotton gloves), that isn't what caused my skin to react. It was on my face only. The lumps were below the skin surface. But, it was combined w/ paint; so the mix is maybe what did it? After the anti-biotics, my skin was as smooth as glass. And the project? A great success. I'd painted the porcelain wall tiles, tub, sink, toilet in my new apartment. Not only did it look custom-made, but it shone as if all new. Even scrubbing w/ scouring powder didn't mar the finish -- that's why epoxy is needed in the paint. People asked me if I'd had the bathroom remodeled...a neighbor saw it, did his w/ epoxy paint, too. In spite of my little debaucle w/it , I recommended it to everyone. Sarah Canary - Maybe one reason "Smilla's Sense of Snow" appeals to us so much is because we're both January babies? ... As to the characters -- I'm not having any problems keeping them straight in my mind. Could be because they have such different first and last names...makes it easier. Yes, I agree, the atmosphere is a big part of this story -- really sets the mood.