One dog dies last year and I believe the other did this year. Maybe she just got tired of them and gave them up. It has been quite quiet around here, neighbors have commented on it. As for moving should she replace them, I inherited the house I grew up in. My mother designed it, my father built it. There are over 400 specific plants in the gardens and there is just too much sentimentality involved, not to mention that I am a bit old to be relocating. For now, her hedges have thickened and grown tall enough that all anyone sees is a nice green backdrop for my gardens. You would not even know there was a house in there. It is very unfortunate because the house has an excellent picture window that used to overlook the valley. Last summer, in the only patch of sun filled area in her yard, she had a lawn chair out and was sunning herself. I could only see her through a bathroom window and she looked like the proverbial beached whale. I pulled the curtains to stop from laughing. The dogs are just a memory now....

Every time I see the title of this post, I keep meaning to come back to tell you something. Your garden IS “WOW”. It’s looking wonderful to me! I’m totally not accustomed to getting rain on my spring flush of rose blooms, but we’ve had the craziest May weather I can remember. I’m finally seeing what rain can do to some rose and other plants blooms. I finally have a small taste of how wet weather can ruin the looks of some of my roses. Your Hosta is lovely, too. I know Hosta’s aren’t supposed to do well in So CA, but you know how it goes. We always want to grow things that aren’t meant for our zones. I have a damp shady area, where I have had a Hosta flourishing for many years now. It looks similar to yours. Do you think they might be the same? I always thought mine was ‘Wide Brim’, but I could easily be mixed up. I’ve tried my share of them. Lisa

It'll look great the first day, then the copper starts doing its thing.

(((Cooper))) That's a wonderful gift from da Bears and will make it easier for Cooper and family to enjoy the beach. There is no boardwalk to the water though, only to the interpretive center where morning yoga classes are held while the sun rises over the lake. We were there a couple of weeks ago staying with friends who live a block from the beach, listened to the waves from our open bedroom window, walked the beach, saw all the morning dog walkers and joggers - like the old days. It's a month plus a couple of days to the anniversary and I can't imagine what that day will be like for Cooper and family - and the whole town. There will be no parade and the events that are scheduled will feel surreal for the adults who are trying to give their children some sense of the fun of past July 4th festivities.