I have a few daylilies that I ordered last fall overwintering in pots in my unheated garage. I gave them a glance a couple of weeks ago and they had the beginnings of new growth just coming up. However all the leaves were absolutely covered with aphids. Big ICK! My outside daylilies are still pretty much dormant. Hard to imagine a scape at this time of the year here. I just know we are due for a couple more hard freezes before it's safe.

Thanks all, I know I was stunned when I saw the scapes, but it is so encouraging. Funny how just an emerging flower stem can cause so much excitement.!! I think Bowie is willing to share the bench, they did spend some time together on it, but of course Whiskey jumped off when I tried to take that picture. Val, that daff that Whiskey is smelling, (actually he was trying to take a bite of it) is Fragrant Rose, and they were especially pretty and long lasting this year. They have been in bloom for an entire month now. I think the cooler weather kept them hanging on, plus the pink color stayed, it usually fades out in any heat. I also have just lots of buds on my dwarf iris, I just starting adding them and love them too!!!This is most likely time for them to be budding.

I understand your sorrow and regret. I too, took care of my mother, who was 93 yrs old when she died. Many times I did not feel adequate to the task, but I cared for her with love and she knew it. Over the seven years she lived with us, she had slowly lost stability walking. I had to be next to her or behind her all the time. She knew she was never to get up to get anything or use her bedside commode unless someone was with her. She complained about feeling like a prisoner. We explained to her that she could have safety...or... freedom, but that that point in her life, not both at the same time. One day, she opted to get up by herself, and even with her walker, fell forward and cracked a vertebra in her neck. While not life-threatening, it was painful. That however was not the thing that was the problem. The head jolt she suffered when she tucked her head with the fall, caused her to go into a severe dementia and physical decline .She died 4 1/2 months after her injury, in my arms. Before her mind was gone, she was able to let me know that she knew how much I had done for her. She knew I loved her. No matter how much care and trying to keep her safe, she still made the decision to do things "her way." As caregivers we cannot wrap our loved ones in a bubble. We cannot make them do what is best for them ...or even understand why it is best for them. We cannot know everything a medical person might know. We CAN do the best we can, learning all that we can, and loving them as fully as we can...and much better than a professional" caregiver would. (Your mom's doctors even missed the signs of her illness.) The attitude with which we care for them is important. I regret the times I wasn't as caring as I should have been or reacted badly. I think she understood it because having raised me, she knew what she had gone though as my mom. She knew she had not done it perfectly, just as I hadn't, but the love went both ways...even as we reversed roles. Cherish the memories, the love, and what you learned from her. Caring for a loved one can be one of the hardest things we do in life, but in my case, and I hope in yours, one of the best and most important things. A time for growth and maturing. Walking in her shoes gave me a look toward my future, even as I now look at the past. For me, God used the time to draw me closer to Him, to refine me and trust Him, no matter what. Take care...

Sorry if I'm repeating...haven't read all the comments. Michael Payne and Designing for the Sexes rocked!!! That was real talent and class, and you always learned something about design. I also really enjoyed Decorator's Challenge and Landscapers Challenge because these were actual talented designers who gave 3 unique perspectives on one project. Now everything on HGTV looks exactly the same ( i.e. gray walls, hardwood floors, too many randomly patterned throw pillows, contemporary furniture). Where's the variety? Bring back Chris Casson Madden (Interiors by Design) and Joann Liebler (Room by Room), Mission Organization, Donna and Shannon Freeman (Secets That Sell), Before and After, Dream House, Weekend Warriors (a personal favorite) Susie Coehlo (Surprise Gardener), Debbie Travis (The Painted House) and shows like Location, Location, Location that showed different aspects of people purchasing homes. I am rather annoyed by how House Hunters is always about a bickering couple who can't agree on style, but at 22 can always afford to buy their dream home. How about showing a variety of homebuyers again; older people, singles, working parents who can't afford to gut and renovate. I'd like to see people with more modest budgets take the homes they purchase and turn them into something wonderful. And for those who are not familiar with any of these shows or hosts, you really missed a treat. This was HGTV at its prime. Believe it or not, long before the last season or two of Divine Design, and long before that crap Candice Tells All, Candice Olsen actually used to design rooms without mirrored furniture, espresso wood, and ice blue and gray. Anyone remember the sherbert colored sunroom or the kitchen with the blue strie (sp?) cabinets? Those were the days... Not that the Property Brothers arent't good, and I do particularly like Hillary Farr's style (even if she can't budget worth a darn), but enough is enough. And don't get me started on Genevieve. She sucked on Trading Spaces! Now if the would just dig up the Designer Guys from the Discovery Channel, all would be well. Anyone who can design a woman's apartment around a man's suit and make it look fabulous is okay in my book. Done with my rant....i'll get back to work