Hi WinterCat: Thanks for those great pics. What's the name of that gorgeous green hedge you planted? If I had seen those when I first moved here, I would NOT have bought wimpy white pine trees. Here in zone 5a I'm lucky if my roses survive the winter. I laughed when I read Roseseek (Kim Rupert) described his soil/climate: "I received 5" of rain with several weeks of 95 - 108 temp . Mine soil is corn meal and talc with ZERO organics. Mine is a 24% down hill, western and southern facing grade." I'll describe my soil/climate in Chicagoland: "I received 40" of annual rain, plus 38" melted snow. My soil is rock hard clay, pH 7.7, that broke a rototiller machine. My garden is shaded with many trees that it should be considered a mushroom farm... I'm vitamin D-deficient and take prescribed mega-dose ... if this gloomy weather continues, I'll turn into a vampire. The wind here is so strong that it blew my kid's playpark onto the tomatoe garden, it also toppled over a portable potty ... I feel sorry for the construction worker inside."

I do the same thing, talk to plants and all the critters around. In fact just the other day I wanted to slip out front just to see about watering the front lawn and there were birds and a squirrel at the fountain getting a drink, I slip back inside but before doing so I told them to go back to drinking and I'll leave them alone for now. When I see one of my baby anoles I try to catch it to show DH how cute they are. I nearly caught one and I told him I just wanted to show him off, didn't work he got away. If one of my plants isn't doing well I tell it fine be that way, I'll just whack you down and replace you. Sometimes I tell them if you live fine if not OH WELL, I did my part. How did we get from Lazy gardener to talking gardener LOL.

She's having problems logging in. This is the rest of the above update. 5/21- PT 5- avg 12 - miles 64 Surf City to Cedar Point. great day, rode strong. Got a LOT hotter !! Rode past part of Camp Le Jeune. The firing range. Great Great late breakfast. had ab OJ/mango drink in camp and a bagel and canned pears and coffee. Then we stopped and I had 2 sunny side up eggs and 2 slices of ham and 3 buttermilk pancakes...yum. We passed three little girls on the way here with a lemonade stand. It was $1 a glass...cute sweet gals and we all had a glass.... No lunch stop...not sure why I would need MORE food :) Stopped at a Lowes Grocery on the way and got a HUGE salad bar and an Arrogant "Bleeped out" Ale for dinner in camp..yum. Did laundry...I do the laundry for everyone every day...more on that some time in the future, Great forestry campground here in Cedar Point. If you ever get this way do check it out. Oh and we WAITED for the Rapture...what happened ????? 5/22 PT 5- Avg 12- Miles 73 Cedar Point to Ocracoke Island rode alone to mile 30. Met up with Bob and Pete and we rode to the ferry. Had a mediocre meal as we waited for the ferry. It is a 2 1/2 hr ride. The ride to the ferry is lots of marsh and bridges over the estuaries. Very beautiful but HOT and windy. We were glad to get on the ferry. We all slept most of the way...laid down on the long bench seats. Very nice. Staying at Black Beard's Lodge. Every thing here on the island is called Black Beard. Edward Teach was his name and he was notorious in these parts. Had dinner at the Jolly Roger grill and it was a great burger and fries and beautiful sunset pics...then the mosquitoes came out...ouch ! 5/23 Ocracoke to Cape Hatteras PT3- Avg 15 !!!! ( tail wind ) miles 53 SMOKINg speed. I looked down and was doing 23 mph at times !! Whew....had a bagel and cream cheese and coffee. Pete and Bob and I looked at the lighthouse and then walked out to the point where BB was killed by a Navy officer. supposedly anyway. We then got underway. We stopped at Pop's on the way finally to get some food. There was nothing for a long way. This is a most interesting bar. It was amazing the amount folks were drinking so early in the day...oh well. Had a burger and fries...great fuel !! Nice campground tonight. Walked on beach. Great pic with Blue the dog. 5/Cape Hatteras to Kitty Hawk PT 3:12 avg 12.3- miles 39 ate peaches and ripe banana in camp and 2 tiny donuts. Rode over BIG bridge. Stopped at a little store and had to get a Jimmy Dean sausage biscuit and microwave it in the store....not too bad but have had better :) Went on to Nags Head. Very large pretentious homes for most of the town till you get all the way in. walked around Kitty Hawk and listened to a presentation. Took two pics. Very interesting brothers. There is a peat bog fire in the area and the wind blows the smoke here at times and the air is very bad and then it clears. We are leaving tomorrow and part of the group ( two other women) are staying behind. It is hard but for the best. It will be me and the 3 guys....we get along so well and will all be better for it. We had lunch at Goombays and it was WONDERFUL !! Fantastic grouper sandwich. Also owner called and got us a great price on a motel. The holiday is coming and prices are up but we got a great place cheap. Pete and Bob and I went to the Red Lion and got supper fixings...you guessed it am sure...I got a pint...of Haagan Dazs...not Gentleman Jack!! Hasn't been that kind of trip this year....we are excited to be going on tomorrow...as a group of 4. Stayed at the Sea Ranch motel . Stopped and saw the Bodie Island lighthouse on the way here. TODAY !! 5/25 Kitty Hawk to Elizabeth City. Avg 13.4 Miles 52....we RODE fast. Felt so happy and light...all the guys are smiling and laughing now that we are 4 . Enough of that...it is over and done.

1.) My perfect summer day would be spent in my (new to me) backyard, relaxing on my back porch. What a lovely realization it is, to know that my own backyard is now my favorite place to be! 2.) I would spend the day reading, and just "being". 3.) I would hear nothing but the neighborhood birds. 4.) I would see the plants I've put in, and the ones that came with the house--always a fun surprise, as what I thought were crocosmia turn out to be glads, etc. 5.) I'd be wearing shorts and a t-shirt, because--let's be realistic--I'm at home, and can dress sloppy if I want! 6.) Ice cold mint water, made with my own mint, would be my drink of choice. If you haven't tried it, make it today! Just put 5-10 sprigs of mint in a pitcher, add water, and mash with the handle of a wooden spoon. Let it sit for at least twenty minutes, then pour over ice. It is also fantastic in water bottles, especially when hiking. 7.) Food would be grilled veggies from the farmer's market. 8.) My companions would be my husband, and the dragonflies and hummingbirds that call my backyard home.