I'm thinking one of those display stands, like the libraries once used to display the huge unabridged dictionaries upon. Cut it down to table top height and equip it with wheels and a large 10-diopter magnifier, with enclosed fluorescent light and I would be all set! My DH is very handy at that sort of thing and he likes to putter in his shop, with all of the woodworking power tools. Maybe, then the only strenuous effort I would have is flipping the pages. Do they have a device for that, too? Kidding aside, it is a handful to wrestle that tome from the bookcase to the coffee table and back again, each time I want to check on a Hosta. It may just wind up as a permanent fixture on the coffee table. I agree about the eyestrain, even though I have megawatts of CFC lighting in my den, I have to limit my reading to a few minutes each time, which is probably a good thing, as my garden needs my undivided attention right now, from daybreak to dusk, as we experienced a very, very long, difficult winter here and cleanup is moving very slowly! Hostas must have enjoyed their long rest, as they are looking good this year, for the first time in several years.

OMGosh...I thought you hit a jackpot with your other post, then I opened this one. What beautiful dishes! The rich colors on the plates, the wonderful design on the salad ones, I love them. Maybe you should have bought a lottery ticket while you were out! LOL. hugs, Karen

I had shingles last year, and an anesthesiologist did a procedure to make the pain better during the acute phase of the illness. He said if the post herpetic neuralgia was bad enough, he could do it again. He shot the nerve with a steroid and a numbing medicine. It's supposed to "reset" the nerve and help it heal. I still have some pain, burning, and itching. (Mine's around my hip) When I complain, DH reminds me that there is medicine I can take that has very few side effects. I don't want to take it, so I've never asked what it was. If you haven't tried this route, I can ask him. (DH is a neurologist in training, and his dad is a rheumatologist) I think it's worth continuing with the acupuncture. Many things simply require time to work. Good luck to your mother. I hope she feels relief soon.

I probably didn't explain well, the roses were from my father's block and had to be also transported by car to my place...just a 5 min drive. I have close to 200 as well. I don't mind the pruning, just do it over several weeks. But moving old, neglected roses is not much fun!! Last time I shifted one of this size and age was an old Lorraine Lee shrub also 7ft tall. The successful move of this one gave me confidence to tackle these, they don't mind a good hacking!!!! ;) Yes, Briss I breathe a sigh of relief it's over, thank goodness I had help!! On with the flowering!!! Giddyup! ;) varmi