Julia: I have other pictures of Dearest Valentine in our higher heat where the petals curl inward in later pm sun, but I don't think you all get over 95 much. It's the bright sun after 1 PM that seemed to affect it this year. It couldn't hurt to try moving yours to see if sunlight (not just temperature) makes a difference.........Mantis: Muy Caliente continues to do pretty darn good for me in our heat. It's the shade of darker orange red that I like, but so seldom find that can hold up in our climate. I don't know about the stats. It's not a tall one now, but it's new and confined in my pot system.............Nancy: Tecoma Stans is the official flower of Bermuda where it can attain almost tree size from what I read. Mine is a cultivar (Gold Star) that is a "Texas Superstar" winner, so while not widely available, is around for many of us in the warmer regions most years and grows fairly quickly for garden display if bought mail order...................Maryl

I started Part II, as this might be getting slow to load. Link to Part II

(Hard to find much on this — ) BROKEN GLASS (Claudia Schmidt) I was walking through the broken glass last night and thought of you, and I wondered where your reckless ways had brought you to? My memories of you whorled me back to boilin' blood and wrath, and I wonder if you've stumbled on a lighter path? Did you go out to the desert with the sun hot overhead? Did the dry and the dusty heat make you wish you were dead? Or, did the stark and the open spaces ease your urge to roam? Did it make you feel at last like you were home? Or, did you go out to the woods where the silver poplars sing? Did the quiet rustlin' take away the city's sting? Did the white birds like suspended lightning strike the autumn glow, and touch your heart with tenderness so you could grow? I was walking through the broken glass last night and thought of you, and I wondered where your reckless ways had brought you to? A fiery mass of untapped power surgin' in your breast, I hope it found its way outside so you could rest! Or, did you go up to the mountains where the air is clear and cold? Did they give you back your tears; save you from growing old? As hands and feet fought gravity all up the ancient wall, I wonder, did you lose your ancient urge to fall? The last time I saw you, you were strung dangerously high. All your movements stiff and frightened and you could not cry; suspicious of an honest mile, and looking for a fight; the lonesome street your home, your only friend the night. Now, wherever you may be tonight, I hope you're pleased and calm; that the air around you soothes you like a holy balm; that your lonely anger hasn't turned your insides inside out; that you found the place some of us still dream about. I was dancing through the broken glass last night and thought of you, and I wondered where your reckless ways had brought you to? All my memories of you whorled me back to boilin' blood and wrath, and I wonder if you've stumbled on a lighter path? Oh I hope, perhaps, you have stumbled on a lighter path! And, a live performance at a small venue (accoustics of that venue are lousy, but Claudia’s spirit is strong. I love this song and it played a lot in the early 1980s. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hdmp_XuSC00

If it were me, I’d not only be considering the view from the hall, but adding warmth and more interest in general. Think big picture and it can be done over time. If you can get two additional drapery panels, suggest extending the rod to allow the drapes to rest more on the wall. The combo below is inviting, practical and is not just some items to fill a space. I think the blank area at the bottom of the bed is a lost opportinity and a substantial bench and large art would be really nice additions.