That's because of the difference in conditions, Kitty. Those little potted roses are bred and propagated in controlled greenhouse conditions. Then you bring it home and put it outside in totally different conditions and the rose performs completely different. And not all of them are minis either. Some of them are just small because of the conditions they've been grown in and when you get them home and plant them they turn out to be pretty good size roses instead of the mini you thought you bought. You have to remember that they actually breed and sell these to be throw away plants like a cut flower bouquet. They've probably never been tested in outdoor conditions. Most purchasers treat them that way too because they don't understand that they're regular roses and can be planted outside. I hear people in the stores all the time saying things like "Oh, look, a toy rose! Isn't it cute." They take it home, stick it in a window and throw some water at it occasionally (if it's lucky) and when it dies they toss it out. Which is exactly what the seller wants because then you'll come back and buy another one. I've had a few over the years. Some I did manage to ID others I never could. The best one I've had is my Isolde Hit rose that my brother got me one Valentine's Day. (I've trained him very well and he actually got it at a local nursery, so it was healthy, and with a name tag!) It's lasted 3 winters now and is growing and blooming very well. The others didn't winter well and dwindle away. But I've also found that the chances for survival are better if you don't try and split them up when you plant them. Every one that I tried splitting out and planting dies almost immediately from shock. Isolde I left as is and it thrived from the get go.

Yes, yes, yes....I love more GOLLIWOG pictures! What's not to love? Not only is it unique & gorgeous but look at all those scapes and buds! Wish my Earlybird order would hurry up and come.....I still can't plant out my Golliwog. I'm worried that my order is going to come when DD is in labor, which is any day now. It's a BIG order so I guess they'll sit in buckets for awhile if that happens. All your daylilies look ravishing and so healthy and neatly mulched. Of course Golliwog is my favorite but there are so many others that could be second. Love those clump shots! W. Mom's Cinnamon Rolls and Bold Tiger lookalike are my next picks. I'm sure I will come back and look again & again for the pretty eyecandy. Celeste

Jaybird, I would have loved to go to the Estate sale with you, sounds like a wonderful day of browsing! And the white dishes you got look like they will be very versatile, going with any other colour and looking great. And I'm glad to hear, I'm not the only one who goes back more than once to sales! Too bad, you didn't find a dig camera for sale there! Karen - love your depiction of a "senior blonde moment" LOL! I am sure us dishnuts are much the same as the GJers. DD

Mwheel, they have the those devices in many states. They have it in Wisconsin at the 2nd & 3rd OWI or DUI (whatever you call it where you are from). While the devices sound like a great idea (and they are) there are a few problems with them and the main one is that the device can be started by anyone that is sober. It is not hard for a drunk to talk someone into blowing into the device for them. The other problem is that they often borrow vehicles from their friends and families that do not have the devices. In Wisconsin, the person has to have all vehicles that they have in their possession. That doesn't stop them from borrowing a vehicle from someone else and hiding it on their property. While I'm with you about giving someone heavy jail time, I know that there are more dangerous people out there and I also know that we can't really afford to put even more people in prison. It really does cost a lot of money to house a criminal. Maybe instead they could institute the device on the vehicles and another device that is hooked to their telephones that is set up so that when the device calls, they have to prove their sobriety and progressive discipline for those that decide not to follow the rules.