Dear Sammy, If that post was aimed at me, and I think it was, I assure you I never judge. I am afraid my writing style comes with being a "shrink", and I too need to be accepted for myself. I too made many friends the five years I was on GardenWeb, some have written to me since I am back from being shovel pruned. (Yes, buford, and thank you for the empathy.) I did not leave before because I gave up on anyone; my personal life interfered with my roses, and it hurt too much to come here. It took me two years to feel settled enough to plant again. Who else would understand the total passion I feel for these plants, and me spending more than I can afford in this terrible economy, to have a garden again. Even if it is a modest 13 cultivars. So if you will take me to your heart, which is what I understand you are saying about others here, I will do the same. Please, do not confuse my writing style for judgment. I live by the motto, "Try hard to be yourself, because everyone else is taken." I hope we can all do the same. Always, Beth

Oh, gosh, ladies, you are way too complimentary of my garden. It has its good points, but oh, there are bad ones too! It is looking quite tired and sleepy now and the mulch needs replacing. Anyway, I do love it and I'm glad someone appreciates all the hard work we do. You all know what that feels like, so thank-you. Jane, you are so nice to post this. I thought I was going to find photos of a beautiful garden when I eagerly clicked on this! You are welcome here anytime, and when you have a garden of your own here, Hester and I will be happy to come over and give you our two bits! We will help whenever we can. And yeah, Katkin, we've been wanting to see your garden for years! Christmas is coming... please ask Santa for a digital camera! Marcia and Carol, I know what you mean. It's nice to have gardening friends that understand the need to talk about plants. I guess that's why we come to GW. Anna

Thanks so much, Steve, I'm very happy to have them! I guess I can't count - I was referring to photo #5 (my purchases) being Lakeside Hazy Morn. I don't remember what the one in #4 is, but know for sure I saw Regal Splendor in the display garden. Thanks for catching it! I saw Lakeside Hazy Morn in some else's cart and had to stop and ask what it was :-) AT

bobby, now you say that it does look kind of like an itty bitty sausage biscuit! Tami, we could do a bus tour, he just has to get us to one of the suburbs and we could take the train/bus into downtown, but first he has to drive all over Michigan and pick everyone up. Maybe he could charge bus fare and pay for the gas. Yeah.....that could work! Sol, you can come along, any time. I'd love, love, love to meet with you, just think of the he11 we could raise.....um....fun we could have. (heh heh) Peppi, she's adorable, isn't she? And so happy, she was just having a good time, hanging with all three of the Grandmas and eating good stuff. I also see Linda in her, but I see Linda in Erin too, so it's a third generation of Linda. That could be a bit scary, LOL. It really was a nice time, although too short. How can we be retired and still be so darned busy? I thought retirement was supposed to be slower and more relaxing somehow. Annie