Ariel 73, This is off-topic, but was mentioned in your post.... One of my children has some learning disability. He qualified for a McKay scholarship and has been going to a private (Christian)school for a year where he has made straight A's. This scholarship is NOT income-based, only disability based.(Not knocking home schooling, either. But I'm a single parent and that would be too much for me.)McKay scholarship pays for extra tudoring and school uniforms and bus transportation. Sugarcane52

One of the neatest things I ever did when I was big into genealogy was answer a question on our county's historical website to an inquiry from a woman seeking information on one of her direct ancestors, giving her information she may never have gleaned in any other way but by an antique quilt passed down through her family. It was a signature quilt, and all the signatures on it were legible and she knew it was somewhere in or near our county. She wanted to know where and when so she could place their location for her research. I recognized my third great grandfather's sister's signature on one of the blocks. I then did a quick search on the other signatures and verified what I thought that quilt was and it was a habit for women of a church to make a signature quilt and give it to a departing member. I knew when my ancestor's sister lived there (narrow time frame) so was able to date the age of the quilt, what church her ancestor belonged to and when they left that village on their way west. Priceless. BTW it would have been circa 1840s.

I don't know if I sold out of not, but I let DS go to the Rainforest Cafe yesterday. I went with, to see for myself. If I couldn't have gone, I would not have let him go. Four classes of 4th graders went - 80 nine-year olds! Oh my! It would have been better with just one class, it was hard to hear the "docent." But she was good, the tour was informative. Just very short, I think they did well, but could have done better. Talked about the elephants and the gorillas (they have animated animals), poaching and other threats, conservation... but didn't talk at all about the many aquariums. Then the kids descended on the gift shop - and materialism is what is came down to at the end. :o( And the restaurant was opening for regular lunch business as we were wrapping up. DS was mad at me because I wouldn't give him money to buy some junk. But he was over it by the time he got home, hehe. On the up side, I enjoyed the day with my son. With him being the oldest, and two of the four still at home with me all day, I don't get to do his school stuff much. It takes a lot of effort and coordination for me to get to the school. I had a very generous friend watch the little ones for 5 hours! She's so good to me. I really appreciated the chance to see him with his friends and to eat lunch with him. And, when they fed the kids lunch, they served the adults the same thing at no charge. So I went expecting to have to pay big $$ for my meal, and it ended up free (even if it was pizza, chicken nuggets and fries). I give the day a solid 'B.' However, on the movie for the K-er, he's not going. I sent the note to the teacher Monday saying "it is our opinion that a class trip to a popular movie is an inappropriate use of school time and resources. We would prefer to have field trips that are educational and interactive." Signed both DH and my names. I will keep DS home in the morning, and take him in when they return for the activities. I will also stay and help out. (Thankful that I have a couple friends to swap kids for these kinds of things.) I want to send a similar note to the principal as well. Just so they know at least some parents are watching. And that is the scoop. Oh, and I think I'll take all the kids to Rainforest for lunch while they are on winter break. It really was cute.

Mayo - Coast to coast they differ, I was probably lucky they restocked! Thanks for the last Aloe ID btw. Penny - Completely agree, I can spend hours reading those tiny captions. It's mildly amusing to read little snippets of the plants origins. David - I'll keep a look out for any var Haws for you in future, I don't mind buying it for you, but you will need to cover postage/shipping. (Enable your PM, so you can send me your wishlist!) Andy - Totally on the same page, that's why growing is an investment! ;) Howard - Yea, it's the branch in Gowanus in Brooklyn. Sharp eye, I'm certain the pink ones behind are E. Cubic Frost. I believe these bigger plants were from a different supplier and not Altman's. I don't think I have much experience encountering E. Gibbiflora, let alone hybrids. lol Thanks for sharing your Echeverias, LOVE your entire E collection! I saw a post on your E. Carribean before too, that's what I love so much about Echeverias, they are so adaptable that it shows in their appearance and color, given by the growing environment. (btw your jade cuttings are rooting! gonna find a weekend to pot them individually and share some pictures. Thanks again for the cuttings!) Thanks Azt - They're just fabulous! Here's a picture of the itty bitty inflorescence pushing through, just after a month of care.. Glad I can help with IDs!! lol Did you manage to speak to the seller for the Lauii, he didn't seem very responsive the last time.. - Bernard