I am so sad that Cliff has become ill and unable to continue with his dream. He has done a lot to get some very unusual roses out into commerce. And in trying to do so, he has stressed himself out so much that he just can't do it anymore. His health is much more important than all the roses. I've been in touch with him over the last several months and I know what he's been going thru. It was a difficult decision, but something he had to do. He is currently packing up about 12,000 roses to be trucked up to Vintage Gardens. I know what his list was, and he had some wonderful roses to be offered. I don't know when Vintage will be putting them up on the availability list, but hopefully it will be within a few weeks or so. Cliff and his EuroDesert Roses will be sorely missed by me, and I'm sure many others too.

I accidentally ran my push mower over a cute green frog last summer. I love the frogs in my yard, and I deliberately leave leaf litter around for them to hide in. I think of them as hopping mosquito catchers. I felt terrible. I hope the frogs come back this summer, along with the Eastern Garter snakes, which are non poisonous, and are mouse patrol.

Same here. Hot hot hot here too and weeds out of control! There are only a few hours in morning and evening where I can stand being out in it. The sweat just pours down my face until I cannot see and the salt stings my eyes. I tie a tea towel around my head to stop that, and it helps. I am not a person who perspires either. The humidity and heat get to me. Can't stand to wear my wide brimmed hat - too hot. So the sun bakes down on my head and I start getting dizzy. I have to quit and come inside to cool off. I cannot get anything done like that - just a little bit here and a little bit there. Meanwhile, the weeds don't stop growing and wait for me to feel better. I am so sorry you have RA - that's such a debilitating disease, but especially for a gardener. I am proud of you to keep on keeping on in spite of it though. Bravo! Kathy, thanks for the reminder of cardboard. That was on my TO GET LIST. I have a big heap of chipped wood mulch from the power company tree trimmers who were working this area in March. The weeds and wild grasses have suddenly become a nightmare! The Bermuda grass is growing over the top of the mulch around the trees and shrubs. I chopped and pull it out and it does me in. I have felt that same complete despair many times. Have even posted it on the forum too. Then some sweet sally on here sends me an email and tells me not to give up, and later, I am glad I didn't when I see the prettiest rose blooming in my garden...weeds and all! ~Annie

Kayla, please think about what your Daddy would want for you, and try to live your life in that way. I suspect he would want you to give up the bar. After I lost my daughter I felt a strong urge to drink. I'd never felt that way before. Fortunately, I remembered the story of an aunt of mine who lost her daughter at around the same age. My aunt took up drinking, and ended up drinking herself to death. I knew my Jill would not want that for me, nor would my other children. So I resisted the urge, and eventually it passed. You're going through the worst of the grief right now. I encourage you to look for signs from your father. You may be surprised at what you find. Susan