FYI: 10% off orders up to $900, 12% off orders over that, through tomorrow. Free shipping on orders over $99, but I think that's their usual MO, not just for during the sale. Here is a link that might be useful: glasstileoasis.com sale

I am diabetic and this year I got a pair of Bio Fit shoes thru the foot doctor. They have definitely helped me. But expensive. Since I am old and on medicare, medicare pays for one pair of diabetic shoes per year. I am going to by myself another pair,. Quick question......I have been getting pictures of all of my grandkids on the first day of school...........are you going to take your pic on the first day of school.....sign and all? LOL! Kathy G in MI

I'm sorry. I have tried to post, but was having trouble with the photos -- both getting one when she wouldn't let me take 2 steps away from her unless she was running in play, and in getting one I could successfully attach. Then I was falling asleep on the sofa and gave up. But I digress.... Remember the frizzies the groomer said we'd take off next time with a grooming? Well, the groomer either had extra time or shared my frustration in brushing through them, because when I picked up Lulu, the top layer was GONE! They are still in there, but it does seem easier to brush and comb her now. I don't miss the shedding, but I will say you can vacuum in a few minutes and I was spending at least an hour or two brushing and combing every day -- with a conditioner and detangling spray. I was starting to wonder what I had gotten myself into and why doddles were so popular, but I have hope now. Lulu before -- notice those frizzies in back: Lulu after, notice the lack of visible frizzies (the only way I got a photo yesterday was to play with ALL the toys, which means running to fetch and return until she needed to catch her breath): And Lulu finally content and zonked (she has claimed the corner of the sectional where no one usually sits as her seat):

Wow. It got hot really quickly. It's not my favorite. My favorite it somewhere between 65 and 75 depending on wind and sun/shade. But, after the rain and now, the sun, the beans are really popping up in the SG. I think the first cuke might have popped up too. Things are good. Some things are bad, but most are good. Lynn, yes, tomatoes are easier to share for sure. Especially if you pick and deliver them. Honestly, I can get rid of a lot of things if I harvest, clean, and deliver....for free! But, this isn't the year for me to do that for folks. I do enjoy sharing, but no time right now. I am keeping up with eggs, but even then, I'm not leaping through hoops for people. If it's not easy to get eggs to someone, I'll just put them in our shop refrigerator, and we'll eat them. I only charge $3 for a dozen, which is pretty cheap. They'll be other years for benevolence. Tom works tomorrow so I'm going to pick something up from Moni in the morning and deliver a valerian to my young gardening friend. I found an extra one in the hoop house. She is the one who is similar to me that I mentioned last week. Larry, there's nothing wrong with younger friends at all. In my situation (and hers) she doesn't have time to do gardening work for and with me. She has little kids and her own garden to care for. And a job. Although, I'm very excited for her because she just resigned from her job. She is a teacher. She's going to be able to stay home--homeschool and care for home things. Sometimes it would be nice to have someone in a similar life stage, who also likes the things that I enjoy, to talk to. More relatable. But...it's all good. Tomorrow will be a day to work on flowerpots. I'll pick up a few annuals at the nursery to pop into some pots. Most of the front porch ones are done, but the half whiskey barrels on the shop porch need help. And about a dozen more pots. I have a few vincas that I started from seed and the sweet potato vines from Rick. But it's not enough to fill in all of those. Next week, at the OKC Flower and Garden Fest, I'll get more natives and herbs for those beds, but I like things like vincas for the pots. My neighbor (and Jen's) dug up 6 wild violets for me. I planted them in some shadier areas a couple of days ago and they made it through the hot day. The relocated coneflowers looked a little sad, though. They should pull through. I'm at that rambling stage of a long post, so I'll shut it down now.