And a fine good morning to my virtual friends. Well... not virtual any more. Babs., I found the personas very much in keeping with the "pen pal" ones. But, after all the years we've been chitty-chatting with each other it would be pretty difficult to misrepresent ourselves, and actually "get away with it" for too long! I'm enjoying the exhibition very much, and oohing and ahhing over the photographs with as much glee as I did in person. I just love the way the shots posted have focused on things that, in some cases, I passed right over. I appreciate each and every set of eyes and aesthetic. Such fun! "La Cage Aux Folles" was great. The costumes were fun, and the story... well... let's face it, there is no such thing as a successful movie or play without a great story. We decided the quality of the story is that it sharpens the focus the on the little hurts we inflict on those we love even as we try to make a tough situation easier for someone we love. In short, it's about FAMILY VALUES, love, repect, and appreciation for what makes each of us unique. :) The lawn remains unmown. Too hot on Friday. Quite muggy yesterday and I decided to wait for it to dry out a bit before attempting it. I decided to visit a nursery instead (a new one, that Wendy might enjoy!), knowing the forecast was for thundershowers in the "afternoon". After noon, all right, about 15 minutes past high noon! I had just gotten to the nursery when it started to rain. I opened my "brollie" and continued to stroll watching other shoppers flee. It came down in sheets and torrents. I nabbed 2 Astilboides tabularis (gonna try 'em again) and started the drive home. Heavy traffic on 95, sheets of rain and an average speed of about 30 MPH. I don't know how much rain we received, but the level in the pond increased significantly. I arrived back on the compound as the thunder rolled over us. Rex was pleased to have Mummy home; I greeted him warmly, matterofactly, and we retired to the living room where I did some reading while he "guarded" me. The kitties were pretty excited to get indoors, too, though elderly Flo was perfectly content under the canopy on her couch. No much rattles her at 16-17 yrs. old. LOL about the Corgi pose; Rex assumes something similar on a routine basis. And looks like I'm the "hardass" about obedience training; but I kinda have to be. A large dog, largely untrained until he came to us, and a frail, elderly mother rather dictated a zero tolerance approach. I've become particularly interested in canine personalities with respect to breed characteristics. Working dogs are bred to "think for themselves" and if you don't establish your leadership role when they're young, you have to work doubly hard to assert it later on. Like Cynthia, I expect compliance when the command is given. I HAVE TO. I'm also aware that "off leash" the radius of voice control is limited with Rex. So, we continue to train and carefully permit off leash time. The recovery from knee surgery will provide a heretofore overlooked benefit. I hate dogs. I am the orginal kerbside shopper. I pulled two chairs off the side of the road a couple of years ago, painted them and made cushions for the them. Lo and behold! a few weeks ago I saw 2 more and a loveseat at a local antiques place... $650!!! Like you, Eden, I also put things out by the road that I no longer use but might be useful for someone else. My favorite story was the gal who ogled 4+ doors we'd set out. They were nice, heavy solid wood doors in an old-fashioned panel configuration. She knocked on the door and timidly asked if they were to be hauled away. I helped her schlep them out of the way so she and her husband could collect them later on. Later, she came back with a picture of them stripped, refinished and in situ. They were the perfect match for the others in their home! How great is that? Bella is so cute. I remember those sunsuit rigs, too. Only mine consisted of something akin to a tunic with bloomers below; two pcs. not one. I remember Mum making them for me. My brother used to put frogs and snakes down my "drawers" regularly. No wonder I'm not afraid of them now. :) Roofers arrive tomorrow morning and then the framers return to install the windows. I go to get the (non grained) garage doors ordered tomorrow. I know you've been calling for pictures but I haven't felt like it. I haven't even put the IUIV shots on the computer yet. Sorry... it'll be a treat for "later on".

How did it get to be Monday again? Didnt we just have one ? At least I can spend the evening on a leisurely tour of IU day one over on the thread that Cindy put up. Got a nice cold beer and leftover BBQ chicken , and no chores(ok well, postponed chores anyway) so I will bip over there after I post this. I looked at it for a few minutes at my office today and realized I needed uninterrupted time. Sounds like you guys had a blast ! On the red garden link I posted yesterday, I could never do that either, but oh how it made me long for the space to try ! I have a red and yellow garden that I started last year,but it isnt quite there yet. Part of the problem is the exposure and too much shade from a mature crepe myrtle. Mariann, my late DH and I built a home-made hoop greenhouse several years ago, whicj I just dis-assembled this year. We used ½ pvc pipe, left-over and fall-down lumber, bender board and I ordered greenhouse poly sheeting that repels UV rays for up to three years . It lasted about 5 . However , my heating system was c-9 clear Christmas lights under the benches, and our winter temps here dont usually get lower than the high 20s, so it worked great for me. I would love to have something more permanent and climate controlled some day. bug, what funny faces that young man makes ! Eden, 18 coleus ??? Will we see some pics? Were they 18 different varieties? I just strted putting some orange in my garden last year-I had that 60s shag carpet aversion ! Try it next to something purple Okay, time to hit the IU4 thread , hi to those missed Kathy in Napa

amasake, I spent (wasted) seven years with someone that didn't 'love' me but let me raise his children. (he wasn't all that interested in raising them himself) He was more concerned with what he needed, than what I or even his kids needed. After I left (and he gave up after a year of trying to get me back), he married the next girl that came around. His kids were entering their teens then and his wife didn't want anything to do with his kids. She had her own and then got him to have two more with her (twins). His kids pretty much raised themselves and left home as soon as they could. One of my biggest regrets is leaving before the kids were grown or not maintaining a relationship with them. The only choice I had to maintain the relationship with them was to go back to their dad. I was the only mom that 'mothered' them. If you were to say you have a relationship with his son, I would tell you to think about that before leaving, but it doesn't sound that way. My point? What I would say is that you can't fix someone else's problems. It's not even a matter of whether he loves you or not. He sounds too focused on himself that he doesn't see what his son needs anymore than he sees what you need. I feel very sorry for his son because it sounds like he's given up on his parents and just wants to get old enough to escape the hell they have created for him. (just like my ex's kids) The worst feeling I've ever had was to wake up at 29 and realize I wasted my 20's, raising six kids and being with someone that didn't love or appreciate me. (I was 22 when we got together & I had 3 kids plus his 3)

That video is right on the mark! Thank you for sharing. Yeo, I sure know how it feels when a pet loves you the most, those are the hardest to lose. Neetsie, I think you're right. I haven't heard a peep from the second tom in two nights so I hope he went home. I finally opened the bedroom door this morning so Pepper can have free range of the house. Raven is the one I don't trust. If looks could kill, all the cats would be dead by now. lol For example, (before P came) if Callie is in my room and Raven comes in, it's hiss city, and if they are both under the bed I have to get the broom to make one of them leave. No fights but they get mad. Last night was a first for me. Raven and Callie are loveable but Pepper was all over me while I was trying to sleep. She'd wake me up to put her head under my chin while I held her. When I turned over she started kneeding my hair with her claws and that hurt! I'm pretty sure she sees me as her mother.