Thanks Jeri for the name of that purple rose, Starbucks would be nice on a cart, scones and coffee. Lux Jeri, After attending the Old Rose Celebration for several years ( I live within 7 miles of Moeser Lane) I've noticed that all the remontant O.G.R's are pretty much all sold within one hour of opening. In 2012 I took a complete inventory that showed this was true, by running around and writing down the; -number of every pot of rose, by class name - still available for sale -at every vendor. -at noon. I believe more Old Garden Roses would be sold, and the buying public would be happy, if vendors increased by c. 25% the remontant O.G.R.s they bring for sale. In 2012 at 12:15 P.M the only remontant Old Rose left was a 'Marie Pavie' that I bought, and at the same tabe there were several assorted bands of Hybrid Musk cultivars, , and, at the vintage gardens table, dozens of bands of H.T.s and Florries, and several L.F.C's , There were more than a dozen cultivars of Ramblers which remained on the vintage gardens table when I left around 3 p.m.. One vendor near the entrance had several gallon pots of a modern Florabunda available at 3.p.m. as well. I believe this shows that it is the remontant Old Garden Roses that sell best, at this event. Getting there early will not solve the issue, as there is a limited number of remontant O.G.R.s to be bought, the vendors need to increase their inventory of remontant classes of O.G.R.s at the Old Rose Celebration. . I hope my efforts do some good. If you'd like to pass on this information, to anyone who could make a difference I'd be so grateful. I took the inventories because I have an interest in the promotion of Old Garden Roses If I were a vendor I'd increase the number of pots of remontant Old Garden Roses by 20 % to 25% this year. Thanks Jeri, I've been ill and not been able to post this sooner.

I've seen sourwood but I can't remember it it was Pike's suwannee or Scottsdale farms. But I know I've seen it. It might be difficult to transplant so that could be the reason it's not more common and also could take on a very awkward, not-so-pleasing habit although the photos I've seen online of sourwoods in the landscape are perfectly pyramidal. I saw VA sweetspire at Lowes! Couldn't believe it. I have the dwarf variety and it's a great shrub. It grows very fast and the fall color has been great last year and this year. Same with the oakleaf hydrangeas. The color is not brilliant but nice nonetheless. This was a much better year for the autumn brilliance serviceberry that I have but it still wouldn't be a top pick of mine for fall color. Rose, if you're running out of space, there is a sugar maple cultivar that I have. The trade name is Apollo but the cultivar is 'Barett Cole' (sp?) The mature size is estimated to be only 8' wide by 25' tall. The color isn't anything less than sugar maple and they have done phenomenally in the heat and drought we had over the summer. I have 3 of them and didn't lose a single leaf. They have been described as looking like a child wearing adult's clothing because they have full sized leaves even on young trees. Very dense horizontal branching and my most favorite columnar of all time.

1) Favorite of all Thanksgiving foods? My favorite is a non-traditional dish - Cottage Cheese Loaf - I'm from a vegetarian family and it's our turkey stand-in. I only make it for Thanksgiving to keep it special. Leftovers make yummy sandwiches too. 2) Do you watch one of the Thanksgiving Day parades on tv? No. I can't remember ever watching a parade on Thanksgiving. 3) Do you have a special T-Day breakfast or is it every man for him/her self? If yes, what is it??? No set breakfast menu, but we do eat together. 4) Hosting or being hosted this year? I always do the planning/cooking even if we travel. This year we're staying home so it will just be me, DH and the kids. Not sure that counts as Hosting... 5) Dine in or out? In 7) Do you dress up for T Day or take the more casual approach? We usually dress up a bit. 8) What's your usual post-dinner activity (football game? walk? nap? chat with company? play a game?) Visiting if extended family is involved, no football, sometimes a walk if it's not too cold and windy. 9) Favorite Day After T-Day meal? Leftover pie, cottage cheese loaf sandwiches 10) What do you do for the rest of T-Day Weekend? Put up Christmas decs? Vegg out? We just like to hang out and relax. We try to avoid the Black Friday craziness, so no shopping. 11) Do you consider Thanksgiving the start of the Christmas Season? No. Thanksgiving is a much bigger deal at our house then Christmas. We even do our gift exchanges on Thanksgiving. Christmas is really low key, just a simple meal on Christmas Day. I do a little winter decorating but the only real Christmas décor is the Nativity that comes out Christmas week. Easy Peasy. 12) Do you start watching Christmas movies over the T Day weekend? If so, what is the first you usually watch? Nope

Thank you all for the support and sharing your wisdom. Like i said I was just mom for so long that I've not had any dating issues in quite some time. suzieque- you're right in your interpretation. He assures me that nothing is going on and I don't necessarily believe that there is. However, I get the impression that this is his way of keeping his foot in the door with her. Of course, he denies it. As you mentioned, I have also told him that they are sending the kids mixed messages about marriage and relationships. They do come to his place on weekends but because of the distance between them I could see how week night visits would be disruptive. Pardon me for saying so, but I don't see why he needs to see them every single day. I don't mind at all when they're around and my daughter and I visit. It's a madhouse, but what do you expect with 4 kids, right? asolo- Although you're a bit harsh, I get what you're saying. No, I'm not living in a romance comic book. but I am a romantic at heart. I'm very grounded in reality. I've been on my own for a long time and I've been around the block a time or two so believe me when I tell you that I will come out of this ok. Right now my heart and my head are not in agreement, but I'm a very practical woman. marge- Yes, I'm sure he,s there. We talk on the phone and at times I even speak with the children. The 2 in the morning thing doesn't happen very often. It's usually until 8 or 9, but that's just as frustrating. As a working person it's pretty much lights out for me after the news. You mentioned that divorced people don't get along that well but what is she losing? I wish I could have cut a deal like that with my ex. She gets to do her thing, have Mr. Mom, and not put up with the relationship crap. They divorced due to infidelity on both parts ( you know I'll never get the entire story on that) and he claims that they should have remained friends and never married.You also mentioned that you couldnt imagine my other boyfriends if I think he's such a great guy and that I could benefit from counseling? If you read my original post I mentioned that after my short lived marriage I dated a few duds and gave it up because I was raising a child solo and it was too much to deal with, so I DID NOT make several bad life choices, but from your bitter and judgmental tone it sounds like you have...We could all benefit from a few therapy sessions. Popi- As you suggested, I think I will just date him. After all I don't hate the man. We have a great time together and to be totally honest Im a bit of a homebody and simply terrified at the thou.ght of being out there at my age. Its not that im unattractive. Guys do still hit on me but my girlfriends tell me such awful stories about the men they meet. Unless I'm missing something dating over 40 doesn't seem like much fun.