Hi Kristi, I was in southern California visiting my mom until the end of last week. When I returned home, the combination of work, a backlog of correspondence, watering and fertilizing all outdoor and indoor growing areas, quieting the urgent voices of bulbs who could not wait to have their flowers pollinated and carefully labeled along with those that arrived shortly after my return who would not cease pleading and cajoling until they were potted, and the bounty of imported seeds that needed planting has kept me busy. Tonight I enjoyed a night out at a jazz club in San Francisco (just got home). So girlfriend I hope you can understand my absence from the forum. Regarding the M & Z catalog, it seems that I received it more than a month ago. I may order a few bulbs from them. Aside from my quest to obtain more Hippeastrum species, here is my Priority Wish List: Japanese Hybrids (Komoriya) Jaguar (out of production) Jungle Star (out of production) Residence (out of production) Yellow Pioneer (out of production) Tosca More Hadeco Sonatinis LudwigÂs new Trumpets LudwigÂs new Cybisters Okay, I am dashing off to bed. Cheers, Blanca

My Mom and our family came to Georgia for the first Christmas and we ate from the garden for our holiday meal - purple yard long beans that were frozen, butternut squash pie for dessert, fresh tatsoi as the greens, delicious homegrown garlic and herbs for the stuffing. Everyone was mighty pleased. When my sister and her family drove up to the house the boys thought it was "cool" that there was no grass and a rosemary topiary in the big herb planter in the center of the garden. That put a big smile on my face. Santa brought some garden goodies: a big square shaped tarp van liner so that you can cleanly load manures and mulches into your vehicle and Joy Larkcom's Oriental Vegetables book. My mom even found me a "good gardening" shirt. Something good enough to work in and show people around in at the same time! Happy Holidays and wishing you all a green New Year! GGG

Hi Larry We will miss you this fall! But we will make sure that we get our spring party to see all our friends. We had so many blueberry pies, banana breads and other things made for this time. When Lucy when to the animal services tested negative for heart worm, the vet said that in the beginning that happen, so she really is on time to be cured, she already went to the first treatment and the second is at the end of the month. She is also taking antibiotics now. She looks good and happy, she is only upset when she goes to the vet for a treatment because they keep her under observation for the day. Sorry to hear about the avocado...this summer has been very hot. Larry we hope to see you this spring but then Lucy should have a full recovery. Thank you Kathy, and I hope that now the treatment is better and used different meds, the vet was very optimistic because we catch the disease in the beginning. Hi Bradisha Thank you for all the positive things that you said about Lucy, the garden and the parties. I will be so happy to meet you and one day maybe you can come for the garden party, they are so much fun! It is always a pleasure to see your beautiful garden, please keep posting! Hi Luther Thank you for your very thoughtful caption at this time where Lucy need all the support that she can get. I didn't know that there are heart worm shots, my healthy dogs are on a monthly medicine and I never miss that. Silvia

Happy Thanksgiving! It's shivery here, with no power since Monday night and uncharacteristically cold temps outside. Thank goodness for the gas rangetop. And we now hear chainsaws down the road, hopefully getting the tree of the lines. 9 of the 10 of us are here, and the 10th is happily situated with another big family who is sharing their holiday with her...and we're all well and safe...so we count our many blessings. Wishing you all a warm and safe and love-filled day.