Good afternoon GB - glad to see your clems are blooming despite being left to fend for themselves. Did you loose any? Baby Reed made me smile - what perfect little features. Ei - I'll have to go smell my quercifolia as I've never noticed any fragrance. I cannot remember now which cultivar it is. Michelle - hope your case Shingles is not too severe. It can be a rotten experience - take care of yourself. Chelone - glad Rex is doing well and being such a good patient. Cynthia - any updates on Katie? Last night really lived up to Michelle's title for this Idyll - a hot summer's night. Never the less it turned out to be a great evening with the Chicklits (our book group). We had a wonderful selection of food, lots of wine and good book talk. David came and played his guitar to us while we ate - he played so beautifully it almost brought tears to my eyes. A friend of my sister's from New Orleans has just moved to our town and I was able to introduce her to the group. It turns out she moved in 3 doors down from another book club member and both have sons the same age. I love it when you are able to introduce people and feel they will enjoy getting to know each other. Only one of the group was up for a swim and we floated in the pool under the stars with fire-flies flashing till late in the evening. It felt sooooooooo good. Another friend chatted poolside, entertaining us with stories of her wild youth. We've known each other for over 10 years and I would never have guessed at some of those secrets. We're all rather conventional now, happily engrossed in raising children, PTSA, jobs etc. but sometimes it's fun to remember earlier carefree days. Today I had a work lunch - it was social more than work, and I had the chance to see a training video I was filmed for earlier in the year. I was mostly pleased with the sections I was in, but thought I looked decidedly "wrinkly" especially on my forehead. Perhaps it's time to splash out on some Oil of Olay Regenerist. Tonight there are leftovers from last night (an easy supper), then David has Karate class. I think I should probably shoot for any early night too. Hi to all Mary

Linda Erasmus, blushing I was alluding to Ronda's Mountain Laurel, I think it is called--always loved it as well as your Rosette Delizy which doesn't look a thing like mine but quite a bit like "The Rose of Tralee". It is a lucky rose for me too. John please come back and tell me I'm so stinking funney--this is embarrassing, but I never weary of that and I love you dearly as always. Jean kisses to all the pups and how fine to see you cruising the forum once more. You've been missed. Thank you. Melva, just today I was telling your turtle storey and it made me smile just like your post on my bd. Thanks sweetie. Patricia, no shame and no blame. You are a perennial in the ffavorites garden. Thank you for your much treasured friendship. Randy I do love that rose--makes me laugh every time I think of you naming it Norman. I was hoping you'd show up, it wouldn't be my birthday thread without you--despite the advanced hat size with all your kind remarks. Now that Jean, Patricia,you, and Melva have shown up, my birthday is a smashing success. I so appreciate all this love. Right back atcha. la

LADYBUGS: Y'all, the reason lady bugs seem tardy has a biological basis that makes sense when you think about it, particularly earlier in the season. Mama lady bug does not lay eggs until an adequate food source already exists. Otherwise, she'd lay eggs, the little ones would hatch out, and there wouldn't be enough food for them to survive. If I see aphids at all, and I seldom do, I usually seee them early in the season. Usually, mama lady bug shows up about 5 to 7 days after I notice the aphids and the babies magically appear a few days later. After the baby lady bugs get busy eating, the aphids are gone very quickly. CATALOGS: I agree that those catalogs cause greenhouse madness and I love looking at them. I could look at them endlessly. Today in my mailbox I had catalogs from NE Seed and Seed Savers Exchange. Dawn

Jasdip, I had a piece of lemon bundt cake at the church dinner today and it was so good. Can you believe I thought of you and you making them! Pammyfay any Saturday which the church is having a first Sunday of the month meal, I most likely will be baking, so come on over! My raspberry pie is always the first to go. So many want it that they get it before the other food and have it waiting for them when they finish up their meal! They even ask as we are making our way down to the basement kitchen, if I brought black raspberry pie. Sue