Hello, Christopher, and welcome. It's good to finally hear from you. I was also a lurker for quite some time before I had to courage to utter anything. I have two of the roses you've ordered, Sophie's Perpetual and Mme. Dore. The former is a bit fragile for the heat here in Southern California but Mme. Dore is a beauty, with very good rebloom. I think you've picked very suitable roses for your area and wish you much joy with them. Diane, I added ORG Renae to my order of Marjorie Palmer and Leveson-Gower and am glad to say that all three have been confirmed. I'm hoping to add another rose to my order from the second part of the fall offer that should be available later this month, since shipping for four roses is the same as fewer. Oh well, I did say some time ago that I was done ordering roses....... Ingrid

"A tradition at my DDs college is a dancing around the maypole nude on May 1st. Most of the kids watch, not too many dancers and maybe only topless. My daughter thinks only weird people take part." Oh, that's only a ritual that was documented by the Romans when they invaded Britain, IIRC, although I can't lay hands on the reference now. No big deal. It was revived in the Sixties. Many campus Pagan groups now get permission to organize and perform the ritual, unless stomped on by the "my religion is better than your religion" types - done properly it's a very intricate dance that takes practice. Some choose to perform this worship event fully "skyclad", others choose not to. Even though I'm an adult, pushing forty, and look more like Kathy Bates than Kathy Ireland, I've stripped off for a couple of Maypoles. Tends to still be pretty chilly in New Hampshire on Beltaine (May 1, one of the main holy days of the year) though so I prefer to dance cloaked or drum for the dancers if I'm not physically up to it. But then, I admit rather proudly to being a "weird person"!

I love both of my MILs. My first DH died when he was 45. He was my best friend and a marvelous husband and father. My first MIL stopped talking to me when I remarried but I kept pursuing a relationship with her because of my children. After five years or so she came around and has been part of our lives since. I just visited with her today at the nursing home she is in to make arrangements for her getting her hair done and arranging with her care takers to have her ready to join us for Thanksgiving. She is no longer able to ambulate but my DSIL will be able to get her into their car and fit her wheelchair in and when they get to our house there will be enough young men there to get her in the house. My newest DMIL & DFIL, (18 years with my DH compared to 22 years with my first DH) will also be there as always. They all get along well and my DH knows I will do the same for his parents if they have to go into assisted or skilled nursing care. I count my blessings that I have had the honor of two sets of in laws. WTBS, my son can be a real stinker at the holidays but at least he still comes!

Saturday update:I did call Patti, this morning, and this afternoon, leaving a message the first time. Told her we at the KT miss her, and if she or a relative has the time, to please call me. I also sent an email the other day. Prayers for Patti and hoping we will hear something.