Anybody else want to run out and rent "Best In Show" with Fred Willard & Eugene Levy???? I was also going to add "what Jaxondel said"; however, I had to look up "cotton buds" because I was not erudite enough to know they are "cotton swabs" (I thought we were talking about cotton balls). The bright side of this coin is firstly, that I can now share some wonderful information on the history of the cotton 'swab' (if I may, Suzy?) or what we call the Q-tip (not to be confused with the rapper): Cotton swab - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotton_bud I also feel duty bound to mention that the "Q-tip" moniker is now owned by the British conglomerate Unilever who bought Cheesborough-Ponds, so perhaps in a few years you may have to transition, Suzy! And for those who've been titillated by this information, I have only scratched the surface on the history of the humble cotton swab (which I must admit I thought was interesting because I know I can safely do so in this company): Q-tips: History http://www.qtips.com/history.php Finally, in the interest of full confession, disclosure and, dare I say competition? I fully admit cotton swabs are one of my rare brand snob purchases, I prefer Johnson & Johnson swabs because the 'buds' are bigger ;-) G'night all...

As the jewel painted sky slowly slides under the cloak of night my mind drifts into another world where the sounds that are muted during the light of day suddenly burst into a crescendo of music and the fragrances of the day that have been overwhelmed by all the heat and frenzy of the sun sweep across my heightened senses teasing and flirting as they tempt me to put a name to their heady aromas. I sit under the stars and watch as they slowly waken and paint the sky into the most gorgeous map of the world. A map that can direct any person regardless of their location. I watch as the lights wink from airplanes circling overhead and the occasional shooting star that blazes across the dark night palette. Slowly my body unwinds and relaxes as the sounds of night birds caress the darkness with their sweet haunting sounds as one by one the lights in the homes dim and the houses blend into the blackness that speaks such color. Scents taunt the ragged nerves of my soul and massage them into pleasing chords of bliss. Fireflies illuminate the dark as if thousands of small candles flicker their lights around the area. Occasionally the bark of a seal brings me back into reality but then as the soft warm summer breeze teases the hair surrounding my face and sweet sweet nectar fills my nose with heady fragrance I let go and drift once again into a land of mystery and delight. The clock strikes midnight and I slowly stroll around the garden for a lingering goodnight to my babies and then crawl into a freshly laundered and cool bed only to awaken around 3 am for another quiet time in the garden. I amble around the streets that are not quiet as they are alive with the nightlife that awakens as the sun disappears. It is another night spent communing with the other world of shifting senses and I greet the new day as lights once again come on one by one in the slumbering houses and the rosy fingers of dawn begin decorating the sky with jewels of light. Flowers awaken and turn their faces upward to greet the morning and once again the nightly beauty and life of each garden fades into the heat of a new day and the morning crew takes over. It is at this point that I thank God for allowing me to witness both worlds and for all the intricate work he put into the beauty of a single flower and leaf. Enjoy the new day and save some time to experience the night. Linda

Gosh-just a quick look over my shelves produces (excluding already mentioned): Bel Canto Ann Patchett The "Phryne Fisher" series by Kerry Greenwood (Australian author) Olive Kitteridge Elizabeth Strout ...and Ladies of the Club Helen Hooven Santmyer In This House of Brede Rumer Godden The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie Muriel Spark Barbara Pym's books The Agatha Christie "Miss Marple" and "Tommy and Tuppence" mysteries

Looks like you do have a big problem on your hands, and it's so unfortunate that your mom was unable to afford yard maintenance over the years. With regular lawn and yard maintenance this never would have happened, regardless of what your neighbors had planted in their yards, so, although I know this is probably not what you want to hear right now, it's not really your neighbors' fault that your mom's yard is in such terrible shape. I'm on a very low income myself and I have to regularly clear the fence line between myself and my neighbor's yard to maintain order, and occasionally when I'm unable to do it myself, I have to pay a yard guy to help. As frustrating as this is for you, that's just part of the costs and responsibilities that come with owning a home, and unfortunately due to all of your and your mom's hardships, y'all weren't able to do regular yard maintenance and so things just got out of hand. I think the first thing to do is stop blaming your neighbors because you sound a little unhinged and that will get you nowhere. Val and Babs had good advice...a church or community group would very likely be willing to help you if you calmly explain your plight. Or maybe even a garden club...can you go online and look up clubs in your area? Gardeners are good people...they may be willing to help you out!! Especially if you offer them to take any treasures or cuttings that they might find in there haha! And if you do have to pay an hourly wage for someone to come in and start clearing, remember what I said about owning a home...it does cost money (even when we don't have any to spare!). I'm sorry this has been so hard for you and I hope you are able to find some help...you are very good to be looking after your mom!