Hot here for the past few days. Today should be the last really hot one for a while. Means getting out to work in the garden early, 7a or earlier, and finishing by 10. The summer roses are looking really nice. Teas are in the midst of their second flush, as are most of my cluster-flowered Noisettes. Climbers are particularly nice this year, with a continued bloom on the roses on my Arcade (Parade, Pink Perpetue, White Cap, Rhode Island Red, etc.) Polyanthas are doing their thing, too, with tons of flowers on Marie Pavie, Cecile Brunner, La Marne, Perle d'Or, Gartendirektor Otto Linne, and others. Blackspot came early and stayed. I got caught unaware and most of my bs susceptible roses are looking pretty shabby. I'm on the spray now for the past few weeks, and most of them are starting to refoliate. We won't talk about the weeds.

That's a great idea! I talked to "my girls" (ages 11-13) from the garden club about the Solstice over the summer, explaining that this would be the starting time for W/Sing. Maybe I should plan a party for them and get our pots ready. I had been thinking of starting after the holidays, when they were off school. Now would be a good time for me to get another look at that school calendar! Thank you for the reminder! :)

20 tomato plants!!!!!! Eek gads...where will you put them? I am going to Hilliard Garden Club meeting tonight. In the summer it's at member's homes - for a look see. I'll mention it and hollar "whoop de doo". I don't know if I'll ever get my all my plants in the ground. Celebrate!!!! Beverly

Isn't that poem perfect for the theme of this swap? I too received that card from Chelsie and was very pleased to hear from her! Thanks, Chelsie! Well, I've checked and everyone who signed up to send cards this month have done so. I want to thank each and every one of you for taking time out of your busy lives to participate in this swap. And thanks again for sending the extra, last minute cards! I love this swap and you all helped make it very special for me. Many, many thanks! And I was so glad to hear from our other members too! Nice to catch up with everyone! Please remember, everyone, if you can't join in on any of the swaps, we would love to have you stop by and visit with us. Cards were sent to ALL members of FOTESS, but there are some who haven't responded yet. To those who haven't posted, please let us know if you received Winter Solstice cards, okay? Posting on this swap site will be fine. Jeanne has posted the January FOTESS swap and it sounds like it is going to be FUN!! She always has the best ideas! Check it out and join in! To close this swap, I want to wish all our members a peace-filled New Year, and remember, the Winter Solstice Season lasts for a few months, make the most of it! Shirley! PS - one Winter Solstice Season activity I totally forgot to mention was: feeding the birds. I'll leave you with one last WSS pic.