Good morning. We were off to an early start here this morning. The Magnolia is in its new site! and we really like it, it blocks the main portion of what used to be the old driveway entrance. I took too many pictures of the operation, but the battery konked out before I could get the final one (recharging as I type). We did quite a number on the root "ball", but it will probably be OK even if it does "blink" a bit for the first year in the new place. "NIT", indeed, PM2. :) I rather like the idea of an Idyll Summer Camp; in fact, I think it's perfectly brilliant. Whaddya think, we use the Salon as the bunkhouse, take "Navy showers", and set up "arts and crafts" in the automobile bays, cooking our meals over the grill? Kathy, the picture of the Idyll Moon really touched me. I've been thinking about that Hopi prayer and the great comfort derived from the simplest things that remain constant the world over regardless of how downtrodden we feel at any given moment. I heard that there was a Dodger no-hitter, but not paying much attention to teams other than the Red Sox... well... . But I agree, it's really quite an accomplishment, exciting the same way a 1-0 hockey game is; good defense! The helpmeet tells me Manny is deliverin' the goods for you. He added that the dreds are as yet unpruned... which cracks me up. "Manny bein' Manny"; he's very talented and let's hope LA suits him better than Boston, that's what will define a "good" trade. Marian, you have a handsome family! the girls are looking so grown up, you must be very proud of them. The clock is handsome, the helpmeet was shocked when I sent the works of our tall case clock out to be cleaned, oiled, adjusted. But periodic maintenance is required for them to operate reliably. When the works were gone we found ourselves looking to the empty bonnet nearly daily to check the time! We have only one "plug in" clock in the house. As for two towels/girl, that's easy! one for the lovely long hair, the other for the body. We use our towels for nearly a week here. He has his, I have mine, we are clean when they're put to task, and we hang them to dry out in between uses. We know where the towels have been and neither of us has a problem with reusing them. I'm sorry you've managed to provide housing for some sort of bug... hope it decides to move "out" soon. I especially appreciate your oil lamps. I asked for one for Christmas in 1999 and received a brass Aladdin desk lamp. Whenever the electricity goes out it's nice to have good, reliable light so we may read. There are several in THTTF that were in regular use by my great-grandparents. I need to put them in the car the next time I am there. And lastly (before I foget again) I am sorry to hear about Calliecat. Dad didn't cry very often but the tears flowed freely when one of the pride was delivered to the "happy hunting ground". Nolon did the right thing, but that is cold comfort when the one delivered is gone forever. :( Good to see Wendy "poop" in for a quick visit. Too bad she had to go when "dooty" called. (couldn't pass that one up, sorry). I laughed and laughed at the tale of the Jr. Executive, that's just too funny. Shades of Alex Keaton, huh? The notion that Staples would rank highly as a retail destination slays me; BUT, when my brother was that age he insisted on drawing electrical cords and outlets in every picture he drew involving an indoor scene. I meant to ask about the dry stream bed you posted, Ei. Did you design it to be dry or did you put it there to handle any excess rainfall? I see them used in and around my area and I always wonder what precautions are taken to prevent opportunistic plants from setting up camp and making it "home", landscape fabric? plastic? I really like the effect in your garden, and clearly it was useful last weekend! I also wanted to mention how nice it is to see Norma, again. I forget that DSL and cable internet is not available in many parts of the country. Northern New England, for one! and it's becoming a huge bone of contention because lack of it precludes those areas with people LOOKING for work from being able to participate. It's the same old story from the fewer and fewer companies providing the missing services... "it's not worth the investment". OK... I thought "deregulation" was going to create more competition and open up unheralded realms of opportunity... . (haven't seen my 'phone bill go down since they broke up Ma Bell). Anyway, I sympathize. ;) And I hope the new set-up sees you posting more often. Your gardens are so pretty and I love your pond. T., you've popped into my thoughts periodically as I've been scratching away on the shrub border. I've gone from being completely discouraged by the chaos, to wondering about the finer details of it all, and all in the space of about a month. Getting started was the hardest part. It also dawned on me that you have to contend with the possibility of Elk damage if they break through your "defenses", too, huh? I drove by a house the other day that had a MEGA stroller out front. It was for triplets, one seat in front of another and I marvelled at the forethought and dexterity required to manoeuver that sucker in "traffic". WOW. I think the battery is back "on line" so I'll see if I can't finish up the photo essay. Later!

Sitting here in tears, tears of happiness. I truly love you all. I am sending out HUGE but gentle hug's to you all. Thank you for caring for me and always finding a way to brighten my days. I truly don't have a mean bone in my body, and would never intentionally hurt someone. I'm a lover, not a fighter, smiles. Please do not feel sorry for me, as I was fortunate to have the best parents in the world, and now they are home, together, with the Lord. There will be no more suffering or sadness for them. Missing them just reminds me of how great they loved me, how great I love them. My mom has been gone 6 months now, but some days, it seems like I just spent time with her, or talked to her on the phone, or had just [picked greenbeans out of the garden with her. Then there are the days that it seems like I haven't seen here in sooo long. Those are the days I miss her the most. Jan, you had a shoulder for me during my moms illness, and then thru her death. I will be forever grateful my dear friend. MaryEllen (Mellen), you have been my rock my dearest friend. I love you so much more that I could ever show or express. I plan to spend many, many years cherishing our friendship. Carol, my new friend. The gal who will always set things right, and will always extend her arms for a loving hug. The one who can always make you giggle unexpectedly. I have studied how she works, and she is my RR role model :-) You are a very fair and caring person. Thank you for your wonderful friendship. Toni, maybe with our luck colliding, something GOOD is bound to happen, smiles. Your sense of humor is awesome. Even in your dispair, you manage to light up a room. Earthly is always one of the first to offer comfort. And you have, to me, many times. Thank you also for your friendship. Steph, you have shown me patience and understanding many times girl. I can't thank you enough. I can't wait! for some of your Strawberry Rhubarb Jam :-). If I have left anyone out, please forgive me. And please don't take it personally. You all have touched my life in one way or another. Whether it be with comforting words, cards, plants or seeds. Your thoughts and prayers really do make a difference. I sincerely love you all Tina

Jeanne, your photo is WONDERFUL. I want to live at your house and look out your windows! OA, here's some early reminders for Feb for you.... I think the first one might be a good one to celebrate. LOL Spunky Old Broads Day Feb 1st Groundhog Day Feb 2nd Lincoln's Birthday Feb 12th Valentines Feb 14th Washington's Birthday Feb 22nd Levi Strauss Day Feb. 26th I remember last year, Ol' Levi got a table in his honor by our Kathleen! "In his travels, Mr Levi often stopped at restaurants that used his products. Notice how one of his shirts has been jauntilly strewn across the table. The covered wagon delivers the food, which at this 4 star place includes beans, and fresh vegetables. We know this is a 4-star place as the utensil is monogrammed "C" for cowboy..so everyone felt welcome. Also No Spitting was permitted, which alone made it worth the dime. He eats his dinner, wipes his mouth on his sleeve, which was the norm. However, what sets this sleeve apart from any other sleeve is the napkin ring that color co-ordinates with the wagon.. After dinner Mr. Levi sped away in a horsedrawn wagon." hugs, Karen PS, here's our table albums if you haven't got it bookmarked Here is a link that might be useful: our Tablesetting Albums

Pinyata? A boat shape maybe? While we do have Christmas piñatas, you most often see them in warmer months because it is really an outdoor game. Brrrrr. One very cold day at Mt. Tremblant we met a nice British couple and mentioned that we had only an idea of how cold it really was because we have to convert the temps. Their answer? "You're better off not knowing!" I like the idea of the pine cabinets, I think we originally thought to paint them because it would go with the rest of your house or similar silly nonsense. Now we seem to have outrun the practicality police or at least I haven't seen them for a while. There was the issue of the pine not matching existing trim and some other concerns in the first thread. Remember when thinking of paint we are not recommending white, but a soft milkpaint in off white. I'll be out until next week starting tomorrow, so wanted to get this greeting in early.