Since it was cloudy and cool I went early this morning. It is a nice short walk mostly wooded along a stream on the nature trail with the second half dry brush, sunny and a hill. Ground squirrels running around and Blackheaded Grosbeaks. Lots of benches and even couple of picnic tables. There is a playground nearby for the kids. The salvia garden had just a few in bloom. Ca fuschia was blooming also. I didn't check out the rare fruit tree area. I want to go back when the Clevelandii sage is blooming cuz there are tons of those. Oh I saw several callistemon citrinus 'little john' about 3 feet tall and 5 feet in diameter...thought I'd mention that since on this forum we've discussed the size it gets. It is a nice little hidden garden, take a lunch, but go early not a lot of parking with the playground and baseball field nearby.

I'm sorry to dissapoint you Edwin,but it turns out to be a somewhat conjested group of second year buds and is no different from its neighbor branches.The entire plant received a vigorous internal pruning and clean out in Dec. and the remaining exterior is visually enhanced.Its one of the more attractive mugos in this garden but still ranks behind Jacobsen to my eye.Thanks for your alertness.Doug

I got one last week at a yard sale for $15.00. Saw one the week before and the guy said he thought his mil wanted $350.00. I told him good luck in selling it.

I've always had a real problem with giving rewards for behaviors that ought to be required, and for a pre-teen/teen completing homework and not lying should be par for the course and, IMO, not rewardable behaviors. I think it sets a bad precedent to reward a child consistently for what should be everyday, routine activities. I think a lot of children today feel entitled enough without expecting a reward every time they behave appropriately. What does this teach children to expect as they become adults? Example, as an adult, I do laundry. I certainly don't enjoy doing laundry, but it needs to be done. If I don't do laundry, I suffer a consequence...I get to wear dirty clothes. When I do the laundry, nobody waltzes in to give me a treat...although sometimes I feel I deserve one:) Now, I'm not opposed to giving a treat now or then for a long-term pattern of good behavior...such as, "I can't remember the last time you lied about not doing your homework and I see that your grades are reflecting that. Let's go see Lincoln Park." I just don't think bribery quite elicits the desired response. Sure, the child may comply with your wishes to get the prize, but the real lesson learned is, "I slacked so much that now I get a prize for doing what I'm supposed to do...yay, me!!!" I think you just need to find the proper privilege to take away for misbehavior. M04, sounds like Lincoln Park may have been it. Maybe SS's getting the picture now and will do as he's supposed to...then when Lincoln Park comes around again (and I know they will!!), he'll be more deserving of going and probably appreciate the opportunity much, much more.