Altorama, for what it's worth, below are some photos of the roses I have that were labeled Desiree Parmentier and Yolande d'Aragon. Click on photos to see larger images. (Sorry the leaves are not in great shape--I am a bad rose mom!) I have had proliferation on DP--I think it's fairly common on that rose. My YdA has stiffer stems than my DP. Marcia DP leaves on left, YdA on right DP leaves & stem YdA - back of leaves YdA stem YdA leaves DP leaves and stem DP - group of roses YdA roses DP from a few years ago--see the bud proliferation on the left

I do care what you are working on. In fact, I am helping my husband with his first book. I can't say I have had the privilege of doing my own book. Books are hard work. I wish to God his was done. Unfortunately or fortunately he has a book deal for book two and three. So please, please tell me what your book is about, what is your deadline, and is this your first? Do you still see your family or are you pulling your hair out at every deadline? Most of my writing has been about myself and to promote my sculpting. Just recently I realized how much I love it and have been writing for monthly paper for a year now. I write about anything I want, so that is quite fun. Some assignments. But truly I would say I am a beginner. Can you give me your web site so I can take a look a your other stuff? Bridgette

I kept hearing the male Yellow-throated Warbler singing out by the creek yesterday. It was warm and sunny, so I packed my backpack and started out the door with my camera, but no sooner did I step off the porch the sun disappeared. I then started up the mnt, but by the time I reached the first corner, a terrific electrical storm hit and I had to run back down the steep trail, covering my camera. It rained all night, too Sheesh! Pays to check weather.com first

Like Alisande, I only see one about once a year...just passing through. I put out a lot of bird seed. I put black oil sunflower seeds in the feeders in the yard and I get a free mix that is a lot of milo and some sunflower seeds donated to me by Walmart, and I put it out along the driveway for the doves. It is so dry here. Right now I have 5 bird baths in the lower part of my yard, which is only about 1/2 acre big, but ran the horse water troughs over yesterday, and couldn't believe all the doves down there bathing. I guess I'm fortunate. I see sparrows in town, but out here in the country, we don't have them. Bluebirds can be seen in this area...supposedly, but the only time I ever saw them, was a pair in the yard of the old man that I look after a couple of towns over, and he couldn't have cared less. That was a few years ago. Now he has a pair of hawks nesting in a tree right out his door, and I can't even get him to walk to the door to look out at them.