What I liked best about this article was the "sound of his voice." Stephen's such a good-hearted and funny guy with an intense mission to share his love of roses and gardens that you can't help but say, "That's my rose guru!" Speaking of which, that's the first time I've heard that moniker applied to him. We've known him as the "Rose Rock Star" for some time now. ROFL I hope he's having fun in Paris! Sue

i didnt read the article ... but from my experience ... there are only two aspects affected by shade ... first.. annual growth can be stunted ... and if you are working in shade.. one might presume you are space limited.. so who cares if it grows a little slower than it would in full sun ... things simply do not die in lack of full sun ... presuming of course.. we arent talking a dark cave under shade .... [if they die.. its more likely from water competition under the wrong kind of trees] and second.. color.. if it is sun dependent ... and if that is the case.. why did you pick it for shade anyway ... in other words.. i wouldnt try a skylands in deep shade ... otherwise it will be the green of plain old momma ... Picea orientalis if i get a chance.. i will read the article in the near future.. or.. in the alternative.. lose focus and forget... lol ken ps: being a hosta fiend ... in a prior life.. be sure to understand.. that shade is a very difficult term to define ... one mans shade.. is never another mans shade .... there is hours... how high the canopy is ... etc ... peeps used to measure such with an old fashioned light meter for a camera .... some shade required your camera be wide open .. aperture??? .. and other places.. near closed... same effect with eye glasses that change to sun glasses ... i have been in hosta gardens where my glasses remain dark.. and others where its so dark... the glasses go back to clear ... and mind you.. not much grows in deep dark shade .. and that is why in the forest.. its usually barren under the telephone poles .... there is just not enough light down there.. for even the weeds to thrive .....

I'm not from RI but have relatives living in Tiverton. What kind of dining experience are you looking for? Roberto's in nice...overpriced for the quality, but nice, with a good atmosphere. It's a nice place to linger over dinner, as long as you're not sitting at the table nearest the door in cold weather. You will need a reservation there, most likely. There's a little Italian/pizza place in..I believe...Warren. I'm going to have to ask my mum what its name is (I've only been there once), but it's good if you're looking for the opposite of Roberto's--I recall plastic tablecloths & chairs and some noise; good salads; pasta okay; didn't try the pizza, I'm afraid. If you can make it into Providence and are up for Roberto's-type prices, I would highly recommend Rue de l'Espoir. Really good food! Roberto's has a slightly nicer atmosphere, but I'd say try for Rue de l'Espoir if you really like to eat and it's not too far for you to drive. Make a reservation. I've only been to Blithewold in the spring, but that was wonderful. They have a magnificent daffodil display. Enjoy your trip! Amanda Here is a link that might be useful: Rue d l'Espoir

Ohh, I wish I could return to Newfoundland. We circumnavigated it in a leisurely, stop and go way ten years or so ago. Our trip was typical of my planning. I like to go to the ends of things. I only regret that I didn't insist we take the ferry to Labrador. Our only planned stay was several days at Tickle Inn, which a woman on the ferry to the island had told us about. As did others who have commented here, we absolutely loved the island. My most vivid memories of life on "the rock" was the garden art--whirligigs, gnomes, other critters--that replaced perennial borders and rose gardens. And the memory of the sight and sound of them makes me smile. OH, and the little vegetable gardens along the road where the fill from road-making made fertile soil deep enough for gardens one after another, set off by string and twigs, maintained by people who lived miles away. And the cottages clad in beautiful pastel pinks, blues, and greens that lined the coast. As does the gentleman at Tickle Inn who proudly showed us his wood shop, and, in answer to my question about his favorite season said, "Winter." I must have gaped. He explained that spring was sodden muck, summer was hot and mosquito ridden, fall was also inhospitable, but in winter, with his snowmobile, he could go anywhere. He also told us about a polar bear, having crossed the frozen sea from Labrador in midwinter, that stood up, peered through, and pushed in the high windows in the dining room, then wandered off while he crouched down inside, gun ready if the beast came into the house, but hoping desperately that it wouldn't. And the several locals who invited us into their homes for tea and dessert, for conversation and sharing. I hope you can return soon. Thank you for evoking memories I treasure.