Deanne...you are such a sweetheart...Thank you! I really do love spring *and* tulips...maybe I should move to Holland...LOL! You cracked me up about the goldfish...I didn't even notice that, but it really is rather clever...isn't it? LOL! Wish I could take credit for it. Maybe I should build on that idea though and add some other orange flowers to the bed! :-) I didn't see the hummingbird aviary...I'm going to have to ask Anita about that. We did see lots of hummingbirds though, both at the DBG and at Anita's house too. Was it you or was it Babs who had that great photo op of a hummingbird last year? I tried to take their pics, but in all my photos they were either too far away to notice, moved to fast, or the pics came out blurry. I am definitely *not* a photographer, but I really do enjoy having the camera, it has made gardening so much easier for me. Yes Michelle, I am fascinated with nature in Arizona it is *so* different than here. Still, while I think it is very beautiful, I don't think I could live there. I'm too fond of the four seasons (well, maybe not so crazy about winter) and what would I do without tulips!?! Paul has talked about moving there though, but the only thing that would even make me consider it is the fact that Anita is there. Thanks Marian...you are so sweet and so kind and encouraging. I wish you could meet Anita, I know you would like her right off. Ei

They can kill a Palo Verde trees. If you think the bug looks kind of scary you don't Wanna see the larvae! We lost a tree to them a few years back. As I remember, we just had a soaking rain; in fact, I had gone to the school to pick my son up, so he wouldn't have to walk in the pouring rain; when I returned I found the my big Palos Verde tree, that I normally parked under, laying on its side with its roots in the air. In the holes where a roots has been were the HUGE white maggot looking things, had sort of a sour/vinegar smell to them. They attach themselves to the root and suck the life out of the tree. The larvae the were as large and round as my index finger, foul smelling, frightening suckers. The adults only come up this time of year to procreate. One really should seek and destroy them at this time. Either that or give up having Palo Verde trees.

Al, It was in the mid 50's with little wind that day-- and the ground was wet !!In fact-- it was wet ( rain / snow) from Page all the way over to St George Utah. The locals said that was one of the few times it had rained ( or snowed ) in a long time. That Red Rock & Canyon Country is a photographers dream!!! My head is still reeling over it!! dvl

There's nothing quite as cool-looking(temperaturewise) as BLUE flowers. I grew Phacelia a few years ago, best blue i ever saw, next to cornflowers. The bell-shaped blue flowers with icy-white anthers were beautiful, and stirred up images of cooler weather. They do have a short bloom time, hot weather just about stops the show, cutting back helps somewhat. Give 'em a try, i believe there are 2 or 3 varieties. Good luck, and enjoy.