Well, you said it was sponsored by the local newspaper? Harumph! Newspapers-there's your first clue. I could write reams about all the things I dislike about news "services" and the disservice they do in a community. One-sided reporting, politically skewed editorials, ignoring the good and sensationalizing tragedy, publishing photos of people in the initial thoes of agony of loss. How these "news" people go home and call themselves humans, beget children, and have the nerve to show their inhuman faces in a community, I really don't know. Well, ok, even snakes lay eggs, so I guess I can cut them some slack on the crack about begetting. Advertising a garden tour, then to not even have the courtesy to let you know that your particular garden didn't fit the criteria, or that what they were looking for just wasn't located in your neighborhood, or that this wasn't actually a Garden Tour hosted by the Beautification Committee, but a Contest to see who has the best gardener hosted by the beautiful people committee. So instead of serving the community, your newspaper serves those who have money. I'm sure your garden is very beautiful, and I understand that the gardens that get toured often suffer a lot of damage in the course of the tours. Those wealthy people won't care though, they'll get to hobnob with the other wealthy people in their town and then they'll have their gardener come in for a little overtime next week and put everything right again. Even though you truely wished to share the beauty of your garden with the people in your town, sometimes our greatest blessings are our unanswered prayers. Cheryl

Thanks so much everyone! Yesterday was a huge success. Lots of people here and many knowledgable gardeners. They especially loved the the climbing hydrangea. You can tell the real gardeners because they admired a green vine that isn't in bloom! Also can tell the real gardeners by the ones who commented and admired the foliage in the shade gardens more than the lilies blooming right now, LOL Woody, I laughed yesterday because that was one of the most frequently asked questions, How long does it take you to water all this and do you have an irrigation system. Some folks just shook their heads when I said it was all done by hand. So to answer your question, one to two hours a day are spent watering pots. And I actually enjoy being outside early in the day doing it. Silly me. I get to view and check on every plant in my gardens every morning. Deanne

Thanks for updating us! Here's hoping her headaches go away as quickly as possible. She's a brave young woman. I don't know but the first thing I thought of was addressing Christmas cards! I've about given them up as I never seem to get it done...what a good year for you all to be in touch with everyone! I was thinking what I could use help with (lol) and I thought about some help organizing all those garden and especially daylily photos...maybe you have the same? Another thing, if she starts to feel up to it (this may be a bit)...is to volunteer at a local library or school to help kids with reading. Most schools can really use the help. I remember just sitting with kids helping them read...the teachers were very grateful as they seldom have the time to work one on one with kids who need a bit of extra help. No bending or lifting...and really makes your day to get those smiles! Well, hope you don't mind my putting my thoughts here! Good luck with everything and again, I'm so happy that she's home, it's over and went well.

Correction, THUR nites, sorry for the confusion... they both start with a T, right? lol