karma , i got that banana from banana jack , ft lauderdale area . he received a shipment of tissue culture musa. this one was a tad different so he kept it and grew it out in his back yard . the amazing part is that its pups show the same qualities of variegation . jeri and i were coming back from a show and saw his nursery , turned around and stopped . he was closed but we rang the bell at the gate until he finally came out .lol lol poor guy lol he told us he was closed but as you know i could not accept that answer .lol lol after begging and explaining i was from out of state, he took us for a tour . this guys place was fab!!! i have never seen so many rare palms , and banana clumps every where. just an amazing south florida garden !!! we became quick buddies and he shared this banana with me . he says that was the first one he has ever released . he is getting older and can not ensure a future for this plant , and asked would i make sure it had a chance for future generations . i will name it after him one day . sultry_jasmine_night, i do like the variegation, can not help myself .lol lol if i'm driving down the highway at 90mph , i can still see variegation in yards .lol lol i'm surprised i have not hit more people with my van, while looking at plants lol lol bob , i understand , work is a must in life !! i'm glad you have a job, lots of americans are not so fortunate . i will be coming and going to florida allot , the shows are just starting . jeri will FORCE me to go to all of the plant shows in the warm florida air .lol lol i'm sure we will run across each other one day . lucy , where is your daughter located ? you are welcome to join us anytime !!! jumping4joy , contact jeri , she has a ton of those alocasia .

Back home now. I was the crazy woman buying everything in site it seemed! I was looking for a unique palm to put in a pot and ended up buying the large 5' ponytail palm. We just don't see that size up here. I think it will look really neat in the lanai. I have never lived anywhere that had this kind of plant show other than specific society shows (ie. orchids, succulents). I couldn't believe the great prices that one vendor had on his bromeliads. I think he was from Sarasota. What a great time. Thanks for all the info prior to it.

Hi Laura! Yeah, me too! We were planning on coming back out to Va Beach proper at some point this trip, probably today, but once it started snowing yesterday when we were out on the James River we pretty much figured that we would not be making it. We have a 4WD jeep that goes just fine, even in 2 feet of snow, but a longer trip like that became out of the question today with a foot already on the ground and still coming down extremely heavy. This is almost as bad as our 2nd worst storm last winter (we had 3 huge ones) in terms of depth, and conditions/ visibility/ winds. We were expecting some snow here, but not a BLIZZARD!!!! This kind of snow in Southeast VA is almost unheard of. Of course we are leaving to go back to DC / NoVA tomorrow, where they are getting just light snow/ flurries. Last night they were calling for 6-8" up there but it looks like they may only get an inch, if that. Ill try and get over to the palm tree "farm" about 1/2 mile away to take some pics of the hundreds of windmills in the snow. Be safe, enjoy the scenery, and I hope your palms make it just fine. I have faith they will. =o)

Boy does life really take us on different journeys. Started 2010 taking down commercial holiday decor. Continued family fighting over estate matters for my Great Aunt. Decided to build our dream home on our land. Met a con artist contractor to facilitate home build. Fired con artist who stole our dream, building funds. Hired a lawyer to commence civil litigation regarding home build. Communication broke down completely with sibling (co-executor of Great Aunt's estate). Hired lawyer. Tried to talk our best friends from Scotland out of coming to Canada with 2 daughters (they booked for July in January) due to having no home to host them in. Had a mental health break down, tried to commit suicide. Got help - again. DH purchased weekend trailer day before our home sale closed for us to live in on our land. Home effects went into storage. Worked with lawyer to build a major lawsuit. Met more new friends (neighbours) who opened their hearts and doors to us. Helped us make a decision to fight back and stay here to fight for our 16 year dream. Found a new contractor equivalent to 'Mike Holmes'. God sent us a miracle. Continued fighting with family. Continued getting help, seeing doctors. DH went to doctor. Wore down from stress. House build commenced, health started to improve. Made our little trailer our home. Built flower gardens around trailer area with plants from previous garden. Experienced horrific winds that demolished outdoor tented area (had my clothesline....). BBQ blew over, awning tore off side of trailer...felt like I was going to Oz. Learned lifespan of plastic pail port-a-potty. Appreciated construction site toilet hut - luxury at last. Experienced bird baths in large buckets. Washed some clothes in large pot of boiling water. Traveled to laundry mat every 2 weeks. Finally got power to trailer, unhooked generator. Got telephone line and internet in the trailer - the world returned. Came home to KT. 6 months later, moved into new miracle home (downsized dream). Launched major lawsuit against group of individuals for original disaster home build. Continuing to work with lawyer for estate matters. Said good riddance to 2010. Starting new life with new hope. Promised myself to get back onto a healthier lifestyle and to enjoy the small things in life again.