So far I've been disappointed with my White Dazzler, but I'm waiting on this year's blooms to make a final judgement. I think it may just be too plain for my taste -- usually the ones that impress me are patterned. The main exception to this is the charm that oozed off my lovely Amigo. Not a lot of pattern going on but by goodness it made up for it with other charming features :) Besides, this girl can't resist a pretty flower that smells a bit like black pepper! Who needs roses for Valentine's day when you have Amigo :) I second the non-impressment with Vera's growth rate. I have two I added from Tru Value Hardware. I was impressed that the bulbs came with three small offsets in the box -- unfortunately none attached (so they are growing in small pots now). I wouldn't know the things were alive if it weren't for the firmness of the bulbs! If I'm not impressed with them I may make them part of my Amigo's harem of bulbs and hope the offspring have some of its charm :) Happy growing, Liltika

Weather stripping on garage door has been chewed away by mice since last year. Traps all over the garage (my smoking lounge) but they kept licking peanut butter off one of them. Sitting out here using my laptop late at night last week and heard noise from side of garage. Look over and one trap is jumping up and down. I have no problem tossing out dead mouse in trap but when the little thing has one foot caught in trap and looks at me with those desperate little eyes I just couldn't take a shovel to him...LOL. Pried open the trap and let him go outside. Poor little thing didn't know what had just happened to him and ran in circle for a while. Guess I'm a sucker for brown eyes...LOL. If I ever have to chase one inside the house I won't be kind...little mousie would get clobbered with whatever is closest at hand. Not likely I'd be able to get that close to a live mouse but the thought is comforting. Crickets are the biggest problem inside house. My father uses some kind of "human safe" indoor/outdoor spray and there's a mass kill of them left in toward the middle of basement from crickets trying to escape spray along walls. This was only my first year of gardening but boy they can make you escalate to squishing bugs/insects with even bare hands...I was so fed up with eaten foliage I got crazy! Only got "burned" a few times with some beetle that felt like it stung. I lived and he didn't...worth it.

Nancy, I think Rick hits it on the head when...with all due respect...you're kinda missing what people are trying to say to you. First, I suspect that you were just wanting to vent your frustration about being unable to secure the purchase of all the daylilies you wanted. We can all relate to that. Anybody that's done any kind of shopping for daylilies has run into plants being sold out. I would, however, take a step back and not ascribe negative motives so quickly, especially publicly. Experience in other areas does not necessarily translate into this venue. I heard about a sale and emailed the seller immediately with some choices. It was over a week before I heard back. Of course, the ones I wanted most were sold out. I simply said, "no thanks". Easy as that. I didn't get steamed over it. I suspect that those who visited or called got first priority. The lesson to me was to call, next time...if I want it that badly. Oh, and that was a good seller, someone who sends wonderful plants. Stuff happens. Another thing to consider is that if, say, you called and confirmed availability of certain daylilies, I'd recommend paying right then...either by credit card or paypal. If those options aren't available, I'm overnighting my check...if I really want this daylily. Because, unless you have a long and established relationship with a seller, how do they know that you really will get that check right in the mail? Why do you think there's the expression "check's in the mail"?! I bet virtually every seller can tell stories about people who don't do what they promise. So, if they get a chance to sell it and someone is willing to pay right now, who do you think they're going to sell to? Now, if they took your money and months later contacted you to say they didn't have it available...then, I've got your back there because that's not right. Once they cashed that check, to my mind, we have a contract. I should point out that on the LA you, in essence, have a contract and a guarantee of a plant. None of that's in play when someone just calls or emails or whatever. Something else, take a look around at this forum. Notice the ads that run. This is a very high traffic forum. It may feel at times like it's a small group of folks, but don't let that fool you. It is very public and very open here. So, don't be surprised when people take up for their friends. I would expect no less. Many of us do consider a number of sellers of daylilies to be friends because they're not in it for the money (you've read some of Bob's posts, surely!)...and the longer you play in this hobby, the more you'll appreciate just all the effort that goes into it...and the more you'll get to know people yourself. People say things, usually because they just don't know (although they think they do), that I can guarantee in a few years...when they realize...that they'll wish they could take back. Count me in, for instance, on that issue of postage...remember that one? I'm the one who said sellers don't charge enough. I came to that because when I actually did it...I found out just how hard and how much work it was. Opened my eyes! Of course, if you would have had asked me some eight years or so ago, I probably would have said...then...that yes, shipping is high...ha. Little did I know! I thought I knew, though... Something else I didn't get was your mentioning having to add 10-20 daylilies to at least meet the minimum. Huh? Some sellers do have minimums but it's usually like $35-$50...which, as we know, goes pretty quickly with just a few daylilies. What did you mean? Many sellers don't have minimums...but, I can certainly understand those that do...see above and postage, etc....it's just not worth most people's time for $5 or so. For me, when I look at someone's daylily offerings, I don't ever assume that it means those are all available right this minute. I'll make my choices and then contact them. We'll see what we can work out. It's a fluid thing and many things influence it. I've been to daylily farms and made choices after looking at display beds...and they're out of some. I don't get mad about it. I either try to find it somewhere else or I might ask them put me on a list for next year. Whatever. You sound like a very organized and together person...and that's great! I'm one of those people who has trouble keeping a spreadsheet up to date, so you can see why I wouldn't be able to get listings up to date! Shoot, I don't even have last year's photos organized (don't even ask about previous years) and it'll be time to start taking this year's before I know it. I just do the best I can...and try to enjoy the process. Down the road, it might be nice if some of my seedlings do something spectacular...and maybe even a few will be worthy of registering...and even, who knows, selling. But, gosh, I hope people would give me the benefit of the doubt, if something should ever arise. So, that's what I try...I'm just human...to remember when something happens to me. And happen it does, you know? Hey, it's okay...keep hunting (maybe start earlier...you got that, right?)...save some money from this year, if that's an issue...and use it to do your buying this fall. You did say at one point that you didn't have the money to just buy at will or something like that...but then, you did mention some big numbers like 1k or 2k....that's why I thought that maybe you might just tuck some away....visit and learn some more...and make some even better choices this fall. That's the thing, you just always keep learning things about daylilies...and what you thought you just had to have this year...in a year or two, you'll want something else. Better luck with your next orders!

I'm all about rescuing! There are sooo many good dogs out there that need loving homes. Even if you are getting into a particular breed, there are alot of rescues out there for plenty of them as well. I live in the city so one would think I wouldn't need a hunting dog. Well, so far he has gotten a rabbit, a dove, & the last conquest was last nite. About 3:30am he starts barking like a mad man, jumping up on the window sill. He's part White Shepherd so he is also a protector. Anyway, he woke me out of a dead sleep & I started to freak out because he never has gone nuts like that before in the middle of the nite. So I get up, turn on the porch light & open the door. Grant you, I would never have done that if he wasn't there, he makes me feel safe :) I didn't see anyone or thing & opened the door. He ran out & w/i seconds I could hear him growling & shaking something in his mouth. Just as I got down the steps I see him running to the walkway shaking his head & sneezing. I looked over to see what he got a hold of & because it was dark, I only saw a black animal with a white stripe...you betcha, a skunk! He sprayed him right in the eye! I got him in the house very easily since the skunk was no longer of interest & got his face washed as best I could. Waited til the crack of dawn to go back outside to see if it was still around & it wasn't so it couldn't have been hurt too bad. In the bathtub he went! The only part I can't get 100% clean is his face :( I washed it 3 times & it still is kind of stinky. I will inform you as of the minute he is doing great, looking well groomed & holding both eyes open! suel41452 has a great point! I adopted him at 1.5yrs & he had been well trained & is a VERY good dog. Being a single person there was no way I could potty train a puppy. Perfect solution for me! The pound dog, the skunkster, my Jasper...