Given as favors, I would give relatively large bulbs of something less expensive rather than small lily bulbs (which the JP bulbs are going to be) for this reason: Lilies are 'fresh' bulbs and never dormant. They need immediate planting after they're received from the shipper. When your guests plant their bulbs, they are going to expect something spectacular. Unless they're gardeners familiar with lily culture they may be disappointed by a small, inexpensive bulb that is slow to perform. In the fall, hyacinths might meet your needs. For non-gardeners, they can be forced in water and tossed after they bloom. People with flower beds can incorporate their hyacinth and it will return for a number of years. Pink or blue hyacinth bulbs are colorful as well. You'll need to warn people, however, that hyacinth bulbs handled with bare hands may have a tendency to make one itch. You also get a pretty bloom from the slightly smaller (less expensive) hyacinth bulbs-- they just don't have as long a stem, which tends to fall over anyway. In my experience, hyacinths are less likely to be eaten by squirrels than crocus, unless you use Tommies if you're giving spring crocus. You might research fall crocus; they are shipped in early September. Shipping dates may be a concern, too. Gladioli in May or June would work well. I've had good results from glads from the dollar store at 4/$1, so you could use inexpensive glad bulbs and expect good results. They're easy; plant and water. Glad bulbs are colorful too if you choose dark colors. I hope you find a bulb that will meet your needs and budget and give your guests something to look forward to bloom and remind of you for years. Nell

Hello Larry, I loved seeing the photo of you with all of our cards -- your iris will be a special garden friend I'll look for every spring in my front yard. I'm especially excited that it came from Massachusetts, since I just moved to Texas from Worcester, MA last year -- your iris and I are both transplanted New Englanders! Thank you again to you and to Lisa for sharing your beautiful iris with all of us -- I look forward to seeing you on Gardenweb! Best regards, Susan (susantexoma)

As you know I have very strong feelings of affection for you... friendly type feeling that is. I miss our e-mail swaps! Feel free to drop me a chat mail anytime. I'm delighted to see you found someone special... he looks like a great guy. I regretted that we live so far apart as I would have loved to have met you when you were single. Hope life brings you and your family the comfort and security you all deserve. I was in particular touched that Bob's family still considers you one of them!... good family is forever. love you much!... take care of yourself first so you have the strength to keep up with that large group. : ) lyra

oh my bestyears, I can't believe how calm your (very attractive) children look next to the maniacal looking cat. I'm afraid of being scratched just looking at that picture. Thank you to everyone for sharing your cards, there are so many wonderful photos of kids & animals. I probably mentioned this before but my sister received a photo card from her friends, just the adults and not the kids or pets. They wrote something clever about how everybody has cute kids and pets but how are the adults holding up? It was funny and pretty bold, since after a certain age many of us aren't willing to share photos of greying, aging selves with old high school friends.