Great post, Egghead. You are, as usual, exactly correct. Lawn season did not start two weeks ago, when the temps first hit sixty. Lawn season may start, and it may not, this weekend, now that the temps have hit sixty for two weeks running (and I have to add "more or less"). Those of us who mowed, or who drove those tractors over the lawn, may have been (again, I have to add 'more or less') losing more to friction damage than we gained from the scouting around. We have been temporarily blessed, here in mid-Michigan, by a full week w/o rain, and with increasing temps and plenty of sunshine. Because of that, but only because of that, the season is starting, or about to start. More cloudy, or more rain, would have dictated that no, it hasn't started yet. Yet I confess that I am as guilty as the rest. I am, like you, just like a seven year old, who now fully appreciates Christmas, far more than a five or six year old ever could. And there it is: Christmas advertising, the day after Thanksgiving. Why can't Christmas get here sooner? It just doesn't seem fair...... And, as you know, it will get here. We just have to wait. We have to appreciate the delay, and recognize that it isn't actually something that we've done 'wrong' and that there's nothing for us, at present, to be doing. We have to be more like fishermen (I'm not one) or poker players (I am one) and let the situation develop, while we are watching, and be ready to toss the bait, yet patient enough not to toss the bait too early.....while knowing, the whole time, that the right opportunity would be here in just a bit. Let's do that.

It is amazing at how many different kinds and colors of lilies we at Far North all have between us. We need to set up an exchange forum just for the Far North. Shelley, I checked the Cosmic Blast. I got a few small bulbs of it a few years ago from a friend and I think I should be able to dig out and divide this fall when I plan on dividing a lot of lilies for the Farmer's Market. The stalks are short and it is not planted in the most ideal condition in the yard so it needs to be moved. I should be able to get you a bulb(s) at that time or in spring. A few more lilies blooming. Purchased this spring and still in pots not planted into the garden are... Carmine Diamond... Elodie... Kentucky... Indian Diamond... In the garden are... Ace of Spades Couronne D'or Royal Star Sunray Brenda

Here is the text only from our brochure... sorry if the spacing is kinda messed up. Join the Tyler Mountain YMCA Cross Lanes, WV For our first annual Plant & Garden Swap / Sale May 19th 9:00-12:00 8:00-9:00 Check In & Set Up 9:00-11:00 Plant Swap 11:00-12:00 Plant Sale The Tyler Mountain YMCA will be hosting a plant swap on May 19th, 2007, located in Cross Lanes. It will be held from 9 till noon. Bring any legal plants, trees, seeds, bulbs, cuttings, seedlings, and other garden related items to trade! There will be no cost of admission. Donations will be accepted by the YMCA. Make sure to clearly mark all items for identification. A table will be available for each participant, but feel free to bring additional items for your comfort at trading areas. Pre-trading is allowed. If you have any questions, please email them to chelonia0@yahoo.com or call the YMCA at 304-776-3323. General Information 8:00 am Registration and set up begins We ask that you sign in and leave an email or contact with us, so that we can add it to our database for next yearÂs swap. You will also be given a site at this time. 9:00 am  11:00 am  Swapping!!! 11:00 am  12:00  Plant Sale 12:00  Door Prizes  There is NO COST to attend! Donations will be accepted by the YMCA.  Open to the General Public  We will have this event RAIN OR SHINE! What to bring Bring any plants, seeds, bulbs, cuttings, seedlings, or any other garden related items to trade. You may also bring additional items for your comfort at trading areas, such as extra tables, shade awnings, chairs, container for tickets, wagons to carry your goodies around, etc. How will the swap work? Everyone must check in before setting up and choosing a table. A table will be available for each participant. As you go through check in, you will receive tickets in exchange for your plants. Then, you simply swap your tickets for someone elseÂs plants. Rare and exceptional plants or items will be worth more tickets than common plants. ExÂ1 ticket = small plants, bulbs, seeds, corms, common plants..etc. 2-5 tickets = rare plants, roses, trees, shrubs, garden related items, etc The person who ends up with the most tickets at the end of the swap will win a special prize!!! How will the sale work? If you do not wish to stay for the sale, you may donate your items to the YMCA for the sale. The plants will be priced according to the number of tickets they were worth. If you do choose to stay for the sale we ask that YOU collect the money for your own table, and that 50% of your proceeds be donated to the YMCA. (we only ask this so people wonÂt just show up and make this a money making event). You may also price your items at whatever you feel is fair. Rules and Guidelines Bring anything you think someone would want. Make sure plants are moist and in some type of container (Coffee Cans, pots, Styrofoam cups and even plastic bags are permitted). Seeds, bulbs, comers, etc. should be placed in clearly labeled bags or envelopes. Anything under tables or in personal wagons/carts is off limits to other swappers. Do NOT take any plants or from these areas. Children are allowed, but should be remain under supervision. Ask each swapper at their table if it is OK to take a certain plant and "pay" for it with your tickets. All plants should be labeled with permanent ink and clearly identified. Other helpful information is advised (e.g. sun-loving, purple blooms, drought tolerant, etc) Pre-trading is allowed. Please call ahead of time and pre-register at 304-776-3323. This will help us to organize efficiently. If you would like to volunteer or have any other questions, feel free to call at 304-776-3323 or email us at chelonia0@yahoo.com.

Maude: I have two purple prarie trillium potted up for you. Kerry: I have two purple prairie trillium potted up for you and some yellow merrybells. I would love to get some pink lily of the valley. Pam: I have two purple prairie trillium potted up for you. Paws: I would like some white beebalm and larkspur. Iowagardenangel: I would like the Snow Angel coralbell? Were you looking for butterfly weed? Or would you trade for a Marmalade coralbell? I also have potted up three pots of baby jack-in-the-pulpits (aren't blooming yet) and one huge jack-in-the-pulpit that didn't bloom this year, but maybe will next year. Anyone have interest in unnamed iris (tall bearded, dwarf bearded, and a purple Louisiana)? How about blue sage? or yellow loosestrife? I have little coreopsis plants just starting to bloom. Also have some threadleaf coreopsis. Could bring red beebalm. Please let me know if you want any of the ones not spoken for. Ruth