THANKS for the comments! Rita, it's true...there aren't many photos of Fat Cat when he's awake. There's only one thing he likes more than sleeping and that is EATING...haha. Casey, that glow you talk about is probably Zeus's fur...it has a special glow to it that I can't always capture in photos. It's kind of a silver sheen against the blue-gray fur. Judy, Octavia Hill is by Harkness but it does look like an Austin. LOL about ordering more roses. I was that way for years until I had over 300. I have shovel-pruned a few this summer but this time it was to make room for more daylilies...my newest addiction. Julia, the frost thing is so unpredictable. Most years we have our 1st here in late Sept. but I have had some earlier and some years not until early October. Kathy, Fat Cat makes me smile too...he always looks like he's enjoying life to the fullest. No worries, just chillin'...LOL Avedon, thank you! I do feel like I have created my own little Shangri-La here. I spend almost all my time at home because I take care of Mom and my grandbaby so I wanted to make it enjoyable to stay home all the time. Here in my climate I won't be gardening again until May, since we still have cold & snow in April most years. It seems way too long for me! CTC, the coneflower is 'Primadonna Deep Rose'. They are very sturdy and large flowers, more so than my other echinaceas. The color is very bright and deep pink and I love it. Nancy, that's funny about your dog and the chipmunk bunking together. At least she won't eat the chipmunk. My cats get me so angry sometimes when they kill the chipmunks then leave them on my doorstep. I know it's nature's way, but I think the chippies are so cute and I try to save them from the clutches of the cats. Linda, Fat Cat says he wants to see some more pics of Little Boy. Does Little Boy sleep alot like his brother? Haha. honalee, I do walk softly so I can get candid shots but most things around here are used to me so they pay me no mind. Even the frogs, butterflies and chipmunks are tame in my yard! I'm glad you like the rose shots. The daylilies are pretty much done, but there are still plenty of roses blooming so I will post some more soon before the frost gets them. Kay, thanks. It's a challenge to come up with subject material this late but fortunately there are still roses and the ever-present kitties. Jean, so sorry about losing your rose. I have had the same thing happen here. Sometimes I go out and find an entire rosebush laying on its side where something burrowed underneath the roots and chopped it down and it is toast. I have lost several roses that way and it's heartbreaking. The deer are a big problem here since I am surrounded by acres of woods. We use three deer deterrants that are motion-sensors and shoot water when the deer approach. You hook them up to your garden hose and turn them on at night. Doesn't hurt the deer but it scares them away. I used to have so much damage from the deer until I got them and now the deer stay away. I posted that picture of ZEUS just for you since you were asking about him! Take care everybody! Celeste

Long range forecast calls for a surge in the temperatures next week into the mid 90's.. My visions of pansies and mums popped in my head like a cartoon balloon..........I really like your red mums. It's a red tone daylilies so seldom achieve.........Also a few years back you showed some of your Hollyhocks and I thought one day I might try them again. The ones I've grown in the past, between bugs, disease and the heat, never did well. This year I special ordered one and it's in the ground as we speak. The rabbit invasion earlier about did it in, but I dug in my heels, made or bought all kinds of barriers against them, and so far so good. It was touted as being a first year bloomer, but not for me. Thanks for the suggestion. It's been an informative trial and error at the very least. BTW, your Hollyhock is beautiful. Will it come back next year?........Maryl

Debra, you are right about the color of the Butter Pecan seedling. What we do like about it is that it is a late bloomer and it is a foot taller than either parent. We are still not sure if the bud count is high enough for registration. We have not observed rebloom on it either (but haven't seen that on either parent either).

Millicent Bystander and Papa Goose both look great! I like the colors and forms on both. I have nine registered daylilies with buds and three seedlings, but after tomorrow I doubt any of them will be able to open properly. Our temps will be in the 40s and 50s for the next couple of weeks. At least we're not close to frost yet. While I'm sad the rebloomers won't have pretty flowers, I'm glad we're getting fall weather for a change. Many years, we have 90-degree temps all the way into the beginning of October. Thanks for sharing your blooms with us! Debra