The event is in Carlsbad across from the Flower Fields. Over 300 different roses will be available. Click on the link for a list of all roses and the 2-day schedule. We'd love to have you. Bring a friend! If you can't make it, you can place bids online and we can ship or hold for pick-up. Here is a link that might be useful: Save the Roses! Auction

That would have been grueling work for sure flowergirl70ks. Very interesting, any photos of those early fences? I also want a large sandstone block with the name of my school positioned at the very point of my property down front. Right now there is a large stump from a pine tree taken down three years ago in the spot I want the stone. Plus I have my heart set on the letters being carved, not painted, ect. I even bought some stone carving tools off Ebay but haven't attempted anything yet. After reading books and watching Utube videos on the subject I'm afraid I may not have the talent or patience for stone carving. First things first, to get the stump ground out. Best bid was $260. Something else always crops up when I have that $260! this time it will be a new hot water heater. ugh. I used to work with real stone blocks but over the years I've discovered I just can't move them about as well as I used too. So I've gone to the faux sandstone foundation blocks made by a local Amishman, for some of my garden projects. They look ok. The above stone is real though. I guess I should say "Luxor" instead of "Stonehenge". :)

THANK YOU SO MUCH, all of you. I read and then re-read each and every word you shared, and you all brought me great comfort. I knew you would all understand the grief I was feeling. Lily was part of our family for 14 years and patrolled my gardens, brought companionship to my 90-yr. old mother who is blind and has advanced Alzheimers, and always made us laugh because she loved Cabot extra-sharp cheddar cheese more than anything on the earth. She would whine and claw up our legs to get at it and even when we put it back in the fridge she would sit staring at the refrigerator and howling for it. And guess what? Today, the ffo on 'Cheddar Cheese' opened up and was my first daylily of the season! How I smiled to see it, and then I cried. And I'm crying now because I miss her so much, but happy that she is at peace now and no more pain. Her kidneys had failed and there was no saving her. I felt so lost when I went out in my garden today and she wasn't there to greet me. Thank you for reaching out to me and helping me come to terms with losing her. My mom doesn't realize Lily is gone. I bring Zeus and Nemo in her room and have her pet them and that seems to satisfy her. She can't see or comprehend the differences in the cats, and calls them all 'Sweetie Pie' which is what she always called Lily since she could never remember her name. Here's Cheddar Cheese, for Lily..... Celeste

I have never been to this forum before, I usually hang out in the garden areas but I needed to get some relief this morning. This post has helped me just to break down and let all that 'strength' and pain go. I do not wish to take away from the purpose of this thread but I would like to share my story with someone. It has been about a month or a little more since we lost Fred; Fred was a beagle that we adopted from a couple who left him in a crate almost 24/7; he was about 2 years old when he was sent to us.... that was 15 years ago. In that time , I have lost my two shepherd mix girls at 15 and 14 years old.... I have taken in three more pups as they passed my way in need... but Fred was special. Independent, never needing attention and so appreciative when he got it. About 6 months ago , he went blind and my husband thought it was best to help him cross over, I disagreed. I told him that if that were the case, I would know but Fred seemed to be adjusting well and he did...... most times, you could not tell he was blind to watch him. Physically , he was still pretty active, his teeth were getting pretty bad but the vet said none were in need of removal YET.... Long story short, I made the decision that the time had truly come about a month ago because it seemed that everything that moved began to startle him and he seemed to be in constant fear and that was not the purpose of adopting him; it was to give him love, freedom and a carefree life......he had that. That morning, I told him how much I loved him and we spent an hour or more just cuddling...I explained that I was ready to let him go and I knew he was ready ..... I had contacted my vet and we were to be there at 3 pm; at 1 pm, I went to get him and spend just a few more special moments and I found him in his bed; he had taken the journey on his own after receiving my permission to give up..... he now sleeps under a newly planted magnolia (in his honor) with a beautiful marble head stone that has his picture on it....and I spend some very nice quiet times there just as we did together for so many years..... Thank you all for letting me share this here and please know that your thread has helped me get through yet another day without Fred...