Thanks for all your good wishes. Did come home Friday night, and Vera, no problem in taking it slow. The spine is talking to me constantly making sure I move slowly and do nothing stupid, Surgery was a full success and the only pain now is post op. The gardens are doing well, and mother nature is cooperating quite well with the watering for me. So far no nightmares about hubby, the engineer, doing the watering for me. That was a sight for sore eyes 2 years ago when he had to take care of the gardens for me. Should be able to get out in the gardens for some pics in about 2 weeks, by then so much more will be blooming too. Fran

Well here's the bloom on my biggest plant (just over eight feet). The blooms are not huge (a little larger than my hand) but they ARE numerous as the plant has over twenty flower buds getting some color. Pic is embedded below and at the link below too. Eight foot tall sunflower opening the first of twenty-something flower buds. Hope everyone else's are doing great too. Take care, Grant Here is a link that might be useful: Tallest sunflower finally opening first bud

Hey ThinMan, The bottom line is you're having fun. You've covered other expenses, the dime an hour is gravy. I've grown some Pelargoniums and Petunias from (pricey) seed for clients whose planters I maintain, doubt I profited much despite charging them the same as if I'd bought a 4 inch pot at a nursery, but the satisfaction and having something to do in late winter more than compensate. A thought: Might your Cooperative Extension Service be able to help diagnose the malformed heads? I've found them very willing, happy, to help even a home gardener if one calls ahead to be sure they're not busy. May simply be some weather stress. Ana

1st sunflower is blooming now. Actually there are two - the other is a Lemon Queen which is around the right side, not showing in this pic. The yellow St John's wort has finished blooming, so I've sheared the tops - could possibly have another flush of flower in the fall. Also the annual blue flax is done, but I won't shear it as I plan to save as much seed as possible. Some of the morning glories are blooming now, but don't think there will be any of the Heavenly Blues. Will have to purchase new seed if I want to grow them next year. Should be seeing more sunflowers soon.