**** for Annette, Bobbie, and TM! Yes, the most recent ocean to form is the Atlantic Ocean (lots of folks headed there for our long weekend) and it was the monks on the English coastline who first recorded the tides in 600 AD. Thanks for playing everyone. For those of us in the US, we will be observing Memorial Day which is actually on May 30th. It used to be called Decoration Day because the graves of fallen Union soldiers were decorated with flowers. Here is a short history: By proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, the first major Memorial Day observance is held to honor those who died "in defense of their country during the late rebellion." Known to some as "Decoration Day," mourners honored the Civil War dead by decorating their graves with flowers. On the first Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, after which 5,000 participants helped to decorate the graves of the more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried in the cemetery. The 1868 celebration was inspired by local observances that had taken place in various locations in the three years since the end of the Civil War. In fact, several cities claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day, including Columbus, Mississippi; Macon, Georgia; Richmond, Virginia; Boalsburg, Pennsylvania; and Carbondale, Illinois. In 1966, the federal government, under the direction of President Lyndon B. Johnson, declared Waterloo, New York, the official birthplace of Memorial Day. They chose Waterloo--which had first celebrated the day on May 5, 1866--because the town had made Memorial Day an annual, community-wide event, during which businesses closed and residents decorated the graves of soldiers with flowers and flags. By the late 19th century, many communities across the country had begun to celebrate Memorial Day, and after World War I, observers began to honor the dead of all of America's wars. In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be celebrated the last Monday in May. Today, Memorial Day is celebrated at Arlington National Cemetery with a ceremony in which a small American flag is placed on each grave. It is customary for the president or vice president to give a speech honoring the contributions of the dead and to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. More than 5,000 people attend the ceremony annually. Chuck always spends this Sunday at the Pentagon with the thousands of Rolling Thunder riders. He doesn't ride a motorcycle, but since this started with the Viet Nam vets and he was there, he always goes and talks to them and takes pictures while they are waiting to start the ride into DC and around the Federal City (across Memorial Bridge to the Lincoln Memorial, down Independence Avenue to the Capitol, back down Constitution Avenue past the White House and back to Lincoln where the Viet Nam Memorial is located. Have a wonderful weekend everyone. I only have 14 days of school left! Cynthia

Larry, Macrophylla does not have any notable affect on fruit quality. I wouldn't grow citrus in volcanic soil, if I had a choice; volcanic soil binds the phosphorus, so you have to add a lot of extra P; fertilizer tends to leach out of the root zone more quickly also. The roots of cuttings or from seedlings tend to be weaker and more susceptible to root rot or drowning during our rainy season. I chose Macrophylla for my operation because it is very vigorous, relatively resistant, and I am planting my trees close to hedgerow them. I get full production at 3 years, 3-400 fruits per tree. Anyway, as I have said before it really is still just an experiment; I may find that the Macrophylla is a bit too vigorous, in which case I will choose another for future plantings.

Cheryl, Thanks for permission to steal your idea. Who said "Wmitation is the greatest form of flattery."? Also love the Gale Garnett quote. Isn't the next line "We'll dance in the raindrops, we'll dance everyday?" (A must add to our hurricane song list started during Hurricane Frances, if I can find it again, and a nice one to add to the garden.) I loved your yellow bike, too. What a happy garden you created, and thanks for sharing. Goldenpond!! That a gorgeous path. I love the design, both the flow and the materials. Thank you for posting the picture. My property isn't as big as your's, but I'd just love to meander down that path and look at your plants and smile. That installation must have been backbreaking, but the result is absolutely awesome. Unfortunately, my big dog is still too skizzy (at 7 1/2 years) to do the mulch, stone and paver combo. I keep thinking we need to get her into a drug sniffing or victim finding program. Yesterday she started barking like crazy in the back porch. I let her out and she ran like a thoroughbred horse the Belmont to the Powderpuff in the backyard. She started jumping up into the tree (no shrub anymore) and came out with a big old rat, which she killed, left in the yard and came back to look at me with big goofy, "did I do good eyes?". I honestly had no idea there was a rat in the yard, and had spent a few hours working on that spot next to the powderpuff. I'm sorry about all the cleanup you have to do to endure Fay. No fun! You have a lovely garden, and I appreciate your sharing the beauty. marilyn

Jasdip, Of course you only meant to pass on good wishes. I wouldn't ever think you were belittling or minimizing the day's meaning. chisue has it right, retailers make any opportunity to sell sell sell and so many Americans ignore or really don't know the real meaning of the day. bengardening, My condolences for the losses you have suffered over the past few years. I will pray you can find solace and remember the happier moments of your shared times. It is inevitable Death will eventually take all we love in time if it doesn't come for us first. Our only chance is that we might live full, enriching lives and pass on something special to others. Your father was a hero as are your husband and son. The releasing of the water from the dams is awful for so many people and it is not taken lightly by those who had to make this decision. Fact is it would be devastating and possibly deadly for many more should the dams burst (still a distinct possibility). This way, with warning, at least people are able to get affairs in order and take what they want from the planned flooding area. Nothing like a flash flood, a tsunami, a Cat 5 tornado, an earthquake or a wind whipped wildfire to make you see the better side of this. LIL