This is an exceptional year here as far as temps go. Most days are above 105, and have been for over a month with no rain for over 60 days.. It's hard to tell what is dead, and what is dormant, in spite of the watering. A lot of the ferns go dormant, as do the astilbes, and will put on new growth when the fall rains come (if they do at all) but anything that puts on new growth now, if that growth dies, the plant will be a goner. I've already lost some plants for sure that way. Not sure about the hostas, I think some of the younger ones are truly fried, and not just dormant. Most of the older ones will be ok. Dicentras should be fine, they all go dormant in dry years. It isn't the drought that concerns me so much, it's the extreme heat. Most plants can live through drought. But not if they are cooked.

Hi, Mimi! You've received some wonderful advice here so all I can do is reiterate what they suggested. My Mom always enjoyed the National Inquirer as well as our local paper..she loved politics and even smacked your president's picture in a Time magazine I brought her while she said, "I don't like him."! haha! The lady still has good taste in my humble opinion! ;-) We bought her a child's book last Christmas that illustrated birds in it, and if you pushed a button on the side, you'd hear that bird's call. The buttons don't work anymore, but she still enjoyed her birds. She loved watching figure-skating, so she also had an album of skaters during their performances...she loved the costumes. We also coloured in colouring books...so sad to see her trying to stay within the lines, but it was all good and we enjoyed those times. She wouldn't understand anything I read to her, and even talking can frustrate her, but picture books are so nice...and yes...gardening books, photos of flowers, gardens...lovely for them. I just sit with Mom without saying much and we flip the pages and she strokes the photos...if she talks it may or may not have much to do with the photos, I just smile, and nod and agree with her. Funny you mentioned nails....she loves when I do hers....it's another bonding time. She loves her stuffed animals. Although she doesn't know what exactly is on her tv, I've been "shushed" more than once during a soap opera! LOL! I've taken flowers from our garden, and hope to find some really nice fall leaves to bring to her, but we're a little past you, and so many of them have become less than lovely. And as far as what "home" is....when my Mom says she wants to go home, she means her own room and bed....that's comfort for her now, altho' I panicked when I first heard her say that! I tried to change the subject, thinking she meant our house, and wheeled her to her room and when we got there, she said, "Oh. It's good to be home!" Whew!! Dodged another one! So just an fyi....conversations just don't make sense to her and asking questions just befuddles them and makes them anxious. When she says she's confused, just go with it...say, Yes, Mom...I know...It must be difficult...Then change the subject back to the book or whatever. Mimi....please don't distress yourself about those changes....her move could have had NOTHING to do with her drop...they just do that from time to time. They just lose more and more...One nurse told me that (at the stage my Mom is at) it's more difficult for US to see them that way, than it is for them to BE that way. For now...my Mom is in her own comfort zone, and your Mom will be there one day, too. It's more difficult now, because she realizes things are changing, but as there's nothing we can do about it, just keep calm with her and speak of other things. Hope this helps.... Blessings Linda

Stacie, surgery went well and was easy..She's home recouping..She posted late yesterday at the Cooking Forum. Next step Peyton on Friday.

"Nobody looks at rugs." They do at my house. Maybe that's because I spend as much time choosing them as choosing art ;) And in looking at my rugs, just as in looking at my art, people see something of my history and who I am. The rugs say that I've spent time in the Middle East and the Indian sub-continent, that I like tribal art, and that I'm not afraid to hang rugs and "rug-like objects" on my walls as art as well as place them underfoot. The art says I've got eclectic taste, like different materials and media, and do not buy art as decor. Some of the first things I bought, over 40 years ago, have been in homes on four continents and there's always been a place for them because they're important to me. Same goes for the "accessories" (and I confess, I'm no minimalist!) I love the shapes and workmanship of a lot of Islamic things - trays, water jugs, even a chapati container. But I've also got a couple of beautiful bowls inlaid with mother of pearl from Fiji, some Greek ceramics, Murano glass, a framed piece of a Hindu temple door, and a Haida carving from my native BC. Essentially, these are the story of my life. None of my things were expensive or are particularly valuable - but they matter to me more than the most perfect Persian silk carpet or the most expensive oil painting because I can tell a story about each one of them.