Tally - Thank you so much for keeping us all updated on things down there. I know you don't have much of a garden left, but who does down there after Ike? And, what matters most is that you and your family are okay. The rest are just things even though some can't be replaced. I'm glad you're posting here again to keep us informed. Hang in there since the only thing that will happen is that things will get better - eventually. And, I think I posted this in another thread - There are plenty of health care job openings up here in the DFW area. The Dallas Morning News classifieds always has a big section of health care jobs.

Wow! Good to "hear" you.

I've not much to offer in the way of plants since I'm in a new house myself. But here's what I do have. And I don't want to present it as great stuff, but it's perfectly good furniture that's been sitting in my garage since we moved in in May. If you or your family don't need it, perhaps someone can let me know what organization might be able to help me get it to some deserving people.

16 year old LazyBoy Brand sofa that's a queen sized hide-a-bed. It's still structurally in good shape, but could use an upholstery cleaning (my husband bought it with cream colored upholstery and we have 2 kids!).

Chromcraft dinette table with 4 upholstered/armchairs, again with creamish upholstery but I actually had those cleaned before they went to storage.

3 short barstools in a beech finish from Ikea.

1-cheapo 2 drawer metal filing cabinet-missing the key, so it can't be locked.

Sauder type printer stand.

1 glass topped oak coffee table with woven cane below.

1 glass topped oak end table matching the coffee table above.

I've been meaning to list these on Craigslist for some time, but quite frankly, if you/your relatives or a relief organization can pick them up, I'd be happy to donate them. I just don't have a truck to haul them. The hide-a-bed sofa is heavy too, so a couple of guys wouldn't hurt to help load.

I'm clear up on the Northwest side of Houston (Cypress-290/Fry Road). Respond here if you're interested or know who I might call to get these to people who need them.

Again, so glad to hear from you. I sure hope your fall improves! When I get some baby plants going, I'll post and see if you want any of them (I have agapanthus seeds, Texas star hibiscus seeds, and pardancanda lily seeds, but nothing's started right now.)

Tally, it is so good to hear that you are well, although I'm so sorry that you are undergoing such an ordeal as a result of Ike's devastation.
When your life returns to some normalcy, I will be happy to share any plants/seeds/cuttings that you may be seeking when your passion for gardening resurrects after the mayhem.
Molly

Hi Tally, it's great to hear from you. I have a peachy pink brugmansia (NOID) that we can get many cuttings from. I have 2 and they are branched and at least 3 feet tall. I also have 1 pod of Pride of Barbados seed if you want that. How about a split leaf philodendron? I just divided mine into 4 healthy sized plants. Let me know. My email here should work, but if not it's pondfreak4365 at yahoo dot com

Pam

I am glad to hear from you and really sorry that thing's are such a mess. Come spring time I'll have a look around to see what I've got and send you some plant's and seeds.
I know right now you've got your hands full just with the clean up then I'm sure you'll need to plan out how you want to do the gardens again.

Take care, Barbara

I'm glad to hear everyone is OK and really sorry about the destruction. What kind of culphea did you loose or is it the bat face plant?
which specific roses did you lose? I'll bet I can get the Garden Gate club together(we're having a swap this weekend) and gather up the plants you lost to some degree.PJ

Hi Tally,
Good to see you post. I was worried about you. I know it will take a lot of time to get your life back in order. YouÂre more then welcome to come and get cuttings, plants, seeds what ever you want. Remember last Oct you filled our truck with plants. IÂd like to help replenish your garden. You and your family are in my prayers. If there is anything I can do please let me know.
Janet aka jsplants@yahoo.com

Tally, email me when you are ready to. I will have brug cutting when I have to bring them in and others seeds and things when you get caught up and are ready for them. I am glad you are all ok.

Hey girl,

Good to hear from you.

I have some plumerias. Pink, a red, white and yellow pinwheel and another pinwheel that has yet to bloom. I can bring you cuttings. Also 1 pink and 2 yellow brugs. I can also bring cuttings of those.

I will bring home any plants I can from the swap here in San Antonio. The swap is Oct. 25.

I will be going to Baytown in early Nov. for a couple of birthdays. I am not sure of the exact date, yet.

Kathy

Jennifer has my phone #s

Tally, I have the African milk plant that you ID'd for me several months ago. If you or someone will let me know when you are ready to plant it I will mail a rooted start to you along with some other things.

Here is a link that might be useful: African milk plant

So sad to hear of your losses Tally. Come spring when you are ready to plant again, I will bring you some nice plants and flowers. You were so generous to give me and Lana lots of your stuff. Our car was so overloaded with plants, so we want to return the favor. Let us know here on the GW what you need as far as furniture, clothes and such so we can respond. I went back to work on Monday at UTMB. Our building has air and running water. Had to wear a dust mask for two days while they are tearing out the first floor. Ike devestated Galveston Island. No one knows how bad unless you see it. I really feel for ya Tally. Let me know if I can help in any way. ~ Mary Ellen

Glad that you are safe even with all of the problems that you will have to undertake. And I know that Galveston and the area is so devastated, but it has in the past, and will again recover. I know that your yard will look great again. Best of luck.

Linda

Ok, I am assuming you got your application for FEMA assistance done, once you got back.

Salt water doesn't sit well on most plants. Problem, is, it will leave salt deposits in the soil as well, so you may have problems replacing the plants, in the short term.

You have a major task to get back to normal, and our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Tally, glad to hear you are safe! Good luck w/ the job situation and your cleanup.

Good to hear you are o.k. let me know what kind of plants you are looking for and if I don't have that I can look around and help find something. I know we don't know each other but I will gladly try to help Good Luck! Let me know

Got e-mail today! finally! I've been to the community center a dozen times without being able to get online. Got confirmation today that I have a job also and that it means no break in service! YEAH! Rejected by FEMA and SBA, writing my apeals. Everyone on the island remains in wait pattern, wait on FEMA, wait on insurance, wait on UTMB-will we have jobs?, wait on city wait on permits-permits denied!, it's horrible and getting worse. The trees all look horrible, we haven't had enough rain to speak of, the water is still iffy, debris lines the streets, whole neighborhoods are deserted and without power, there is a dead horse on east beach rotting away, there is still curfew downtown, a lot of the business' aren't going to reopen......
It's very depressing here and getting worse. I'm working in the yard some but man is it dead out there, every time I rake up a pile of debris I think about what used to be there. Did find the brick sidewalk though, the tree covers part of it but found the rest under the debris.
See ya'll at Mercer tomorrow. WE don't have any plants to bring but we'll bring pictures and smiles!
Thanks to everyone for their concerns and prayers-the church groups have done more for us than anyone else, federal, state or local. We can never thank them enough! Even the Mennonites have sent food!
Tally HO!

Tally, so good you are posting again --- boy, have we missed you. I am so sorry that things are going so badly for you. How long do you think it will take before your soil is plantable again? Hopefully, you will get lots of replacements at the swap --- you have been so generous through the years. Stay in touch!!!

Tally, may I cross-post your update to the GW Kitchen Table? I've been posting there with updates I've gotten from the Chronicle, local new, and my horror when we went to Galveston a few wks. ago & saw how bad it was. I'm astounded that FEMA has abandoned TX with this hurricane (heard on on of the news @ 6 last night that local governments are begging FEMA for at least the same amount of aid Katrina victims got, b/c it ain't happening here in TX.
My heart goes out to all of y'all in Galveston, Oak Island, Surfside, Gilchrist, Anuhuac, and so on and so on. . . I'm trying to keep this in the national attention. . . I am SO disturbed that the rest of the country has abandoned y'all. . . .
Pat, safe in The Woodlands