Tuberose! That's it! Now I can tell the folks who work there what it is - I'm sure there will be drivers asking about it (it's so unusual!) I should have clarified earlier that the folks at the truckstop are willing to take "starts" that could be stuck in one of the pots with the other plants. Anything that you think could live in a pot over the winter. The "hut" is the one marked "idleaire" over in the far end of the parking lot.

Thanks again for all your kind words. It means a lot. We had a busy day. The home health nurse and physical therapist both visited, and I spent quite a bit of time on the phone. My mom has had a lot of pain and has been very confused (and challenging) today. I had a productive day on the phone. The social worker from home health called me back. She advised me to apply for Medicaid again and gave me info about a respite care service. The fee is $16.50 an hour so that isn't an option for us. She also gave me some info about a local church that will make home repairs and modifications for seniors for a nominal cost. She was digging through her resources and said that she will call me back next week with more info. I spoke with the Alzheimer's Association and the local Council on Aging. The Alzheimer's Association hooked me up with a caregiving resource center for brain-impaired adults. I'll call them on Monday. The Agency on Aging gave me info about homemaking services and senior legal services. I got some good info, but my primary concern right now is getting help for my depression. I've got to get myself qualified for Medicaid and finish the financial planning to get my mom qualified also. I have a lot of work to do, but I know that it's got to be done. I'm pooped, but it feels good to know that I've made a little bit of progress. Nora, I'm going to take your advice tomorrow and set a timer for 30 minutes of cleaning. If I did that twice a day, I could start to make a dent in my BIG MESS. HA! Thanks once again to everyone for your kind words. Aunnie

My sympathies for this heartbreaking turn, Nik, and I am glad you are seeking another love. Sissy was beautiful, as is Lara -- I think gold-colored dogs are especially beautiful. Funny about the "wrong color". My late uncle, Bob Zimmerman, among the last of the true cowboys, was renowned for his line of "yellow" McNabs. McNabs are a local (originating at the McNab Ranch) lineage of Scotch collies that are usually black and white, but he got a gold-colored one in one batch of pups ("Gyp"), who went on to father offspring where the occasional pup was that color, too (recessive mutation, I suppose). Gyp was an exceptionally good herder, who won sheepdog trials at the county fair, as were many of his yellow offspring, so rather than being shunned, the yellow pups were highly desired by local ranchers. They seemed to consider them a sure bet for a good dog, as well as being of that relatively rare and novel color that lent prestige. But, as Camps points out, not so practical, considering that most of lower-elevation California is the same color as these dogs in the summer and fall -- Gyp, son Teddy, and grandson Rowdy (the ones I knew best) were hardly visible at a distance, at all, on the range.

<i>That said, both me and my sister promised many times never to sell "anything." This is a burden and pretty much impossible.</i> Definitely. I don't think that's something a parent or grandparent should put on a (grand)child, or that a (grand)child should agree to. And I say that as someone who, on both sides of the family, is one of the few willing or eager to accept hand-me-downs and heirlooms. Honestly, it's nice to have the choice. My parents were first generation in the U.S. and each arrived with just a suitcase, so whatever I inherited they bought during their marriage. My parents' Kittinger mahogany end tables have glass on top, which is very practical for drinks (no coasters needed lol) and as another place to display photos, kids' drawings, special invitations, etc. I can either dust wood or clean glass weekly : ) My husband's family has much more, though the quality isn't always there. There's some great vintage and antique kitchenalia, a lovely Hoosier plus 1930s enamelware and 1950s Pyrex, but also some very ugly, very sturdy furniture like the sofa above. I have a pretty traditional style as well, and we enjoy daily use of the family items we have, but also like that we've had a say about what to keep and accept -- what is meaningful to us and suits our style. The other thing that has been helpful for us, is to use these things regularly, so that the kids learn and understand the family history behind them, and have the time to develop a fondness and appreciation for them, is to use these items. If you keep the good stuff, whether it's Granny's old tea set or your wedding china, in storage except for once a year at Christmas, your kids and other family will have a difficult time making that connection and liking the stuff, especially if it's very different from your/their usual style. Then again, it's up to my kids what they want to keep. The rest we can sell and have a party or take a trip : ) . The comment above about the old tradition of hand-me-down furniture for starter homes is apropos -- no-one really wants to start out with a starter home anymore, and if you watch any HGTV you know that even first house buyers expect stainless appliances and granite countertops. I also think there's a paucity of imagination when it comes to family items. As Veda says, younger people *are* buying older stuff. A lot of the current Kinfolk look is based on vintage items, and RH and Barn Light Electric among many make their money selling the faux vintage look. Maybe kids and grandkids are used to seeing the items as they looked at home. But put them in a different setting, styled differently, and it's vintage vs. "grandma".