Hello Everyone!! Nice to see you guys!!! :-) Al... Thanks for the infomation and i will work on a training container.. i did visit a few stores today looking for something to use and i did find a storage tray that may work with a little help. I have my DH's drill out, but i think it would be better to wait so i won't wake anyone!!! LOL.. Love the pics of your examples of your Raft trees. They look awesome and i understand that these Port Afra are really not the best candidates especially the Varigated ones to work with, but i just wanted to experiment and see what can be done. You have such a great way with your trees and your experience shows.. i know it takes time and years to get to where one feels comfortable and i also know it is a ongoing learning project with learning to grow and read these trees. I am taking baby steps and i will keep looking and learning as i can. Thank you for your advise!!! When you speak of putting a slight s curve in the main stem, i like that idea.. but i also understand that "Raft" means as if "fallen" in nature, so even adding some curves will be natural in the art form of a natural look verses a straight "fallen" tree? I understand, so i will work on the container and make holes so i can pull from the sides a little at a time. Not to bend to hard, but to add to the look of the natural fallen tree... Like i said.. im just trying something for the first time, so it will be fun to experiment with this kind of tree. Then as i gain some experience, i can work on others... I will post on the pics of the container as i drill and wire the stem soon. I have my mix ready and im ready to bareroot, but the timing is not right..LOL!! It is to late!!! I think DH would have something to say!! :-) I also bought some Twizzlers for the slide show if they try and show movies tomrrow night at the meeting..LOL!!! Should be fun!! Thank you again.. Hi Jojo!!! It is a fun project.. lots to learn though... I have also looked at the library for books if you can't find a local group. Like you said, the internet and friends do help!! Nice to see you!!! Happy New Year!!! Hi Josh!! LOL.. liked the "Porticularly" Funny!!! I also have a green Port Afra that is more beautiful and is "Slant Form" has a beautiful trunk too. But, when i saw this Varig tree, i thought it was so cheap in price that it would be fun to experiment with it. I did see the Raft look to it as i looked passed the other stems, so i thought i would try...trimmed those off and here it is.. We shall see. if it doesn't work, well i have more trimming and wiring work under my belt!! LOL... Take care, Nice to see you too! Laura

Oh For Pete's Sake..... She is trying to be one of the kids.... She is either been into the glue.... or the paint cans. ***I do think the Children are handling it rather well. They seem to understand the perhaps she needs some type of counseling !!! ho ho Love the Family shots..... Loose the ole woman! Hope she doesn't quit her day job to be a model...TEE HEE (BUT I do like her jewelry !! Stunning Hair Do tooo!) Merry Day After Christmas !!! To ALL and to ALL a GOOOOOOOD NITE !!!!!! Susie OMG>>>>> Do you think you could be her NANA!! ? !! ? ? ?

Kat-Wa: Darling little Willy Bear !!! Don't Give Kirk your address..... Your Bear will be MIA ! ! ! ! teeeheeee Thanks for sharing Mr Willy with us !!! & Mr Kirk Thank you for sharing your Carved Bears.. and the REAL BEARS>>>>>>>>>> The only Bear I have is DH when he isn't getting enough W * O * R * K ! ! ! ! Guess I better try to restock the HONEY POT !!!!!!! Thanks Guys & Gals !!!!!!!!! TTFN God Bless ! SusieSunshine *** Bears in WA and in these cold States... should be hibernating TTTTOOOOO COOOOLD OUT !!!!

Thank you Willy, Sylvia, and Cheryl for having us over for a get together. It was wonderful to meet you and the others. It's always fun to be with other fellow gardeners. However, I was expecting to see Marcia and Felix---perhaps next time. I know you both feel badly about missing out. Willy ~ If I gave you too much fresh squeezed orange juice, it does freeze well. I figured that you would like the calamondin marmalade. Can't buy anything like that! You have also inspired me to grow borage. That was a very attractive plant. Tom---Would you like for me to send you any more 'Ice Punch' poinsettia cuttings? or I could root some more? I started the squash seeds today that you shared with me. Can't wait to see how they taste. For those of you that I gave banana plants to the variety name is: Klu Nam Wa. Considered a semi-dwarf. I've posted pictures of them and they are not small. I guess the next adventure time will be next month for the ECHO gardening event that Ill-Man posted. Perhaps more of us will get to meet then. Christine