Around here, most people have lawn services and gardeners, none of whom speak English, so it's kind of hard to ask. There are two or three people who do their own work, and we always chat when we see each other out working. The yards are not large (only 1/2 acre) so you can see most of them from the street. This season, I reclaimed a narrow strip alongside the driveway where a couple of trees had to be removed. Man, what a job! I couldn't dig out all of the root systems, but I managed to do a decent job. Since I spend most of the summer working right out by the street, I ended up speaking with everyone who walks by. Apparently, the progress of my garden has become the topic of discussion for the whole neighborhood! I was happy to explain my game plan to anyone who stopped, and I was rewarded by having divisions left on my front stoop by a couple of neighbors. Very nice. I never thought about asking to tour a garden. I'm basically very shy in general. A couple of people here mentioned that gardening is a great time to be alone, communing with nature and relaxing. I've also found that to be true. I treasure my time in the garden, especially since our world has changed so drastically in the last several years. We don't have plant thieves, but there are people who recently moved in across the street who seem to think that the back of the yard next to them is fair game for dumping. They are very well aware that the property belongs to someone else because the man grew up in that house, and moved in a few months ago after his father passed away. I don't think that the elderly lady who owns it is aware that this is going on. I thought I'd tell her and offer to put up "Private Property - No Dumping" signs. To confront the people directly might be dangerous - long story. I guess it takes all kinds. orcuttnyc - your yard is lovely! Very natural, just the way I like it. I don't know what the purple flowers are, but if you ever find out, let us know. They look great with the daisies. I would never take cuttings without permission, but I'm not above pulling alongside one of the local roads and digging up "weeds" on town property. (Not privately owned, that is. I pay taxes, too!) One person's weeds are another person's native wildflowers, I always say! (LOL) But I do know better than to try this on the parkways. Those wildflowers alongside and on the medians of parkways serve a vital purpose in helping to filter noise and pollution. The natives growing on undeveloped land seem to fall below the radar of the local authorities. In fact, I'm not sure which department of government would have jurisdiction over weeds! Happy gardening, all!

Thanks again everybody. Wow, the power of Garden Web is great! I'm in the lead, but the 2nd place entry (a bar) could possible have an edge this weekend if the patrons there start voting! In case you haven't voted because you think I'm way out in the lead and your vote isn't necessary, think again! I would love your vote. I promise that we will decide how to install the tile as a group! We discovered the other night that we could vote from iTouches/ iPhones and Nooks and Kindles! Just found out the voting ends next Friday 2/25! Another whole week. The pressure. Have a good weekend!

I ended up with a demo of his "Private Radio" CD, with the release date 9/11/01. It features some fairly good country music and I was surprised to hear that on these recordings his voice was decent. His mind is brilliant but bizarre. I imagine he must have some kind of charm in person or he wouldn't get such cute girlfriends/wives, but he does not appeal to me in the slightest. I'll put a link to his bio on Wikipedia -- the "personal life" section tells of his obsessive-compulsive disorder and phobias: Here is a link that might be useful: bio on Wikipedia

Shhhhhh!! This is Jasper. Moms cleaning and I'm pretending to be asleep on her desk. I just noticed that Abigail has more votes than me. Just cause she's the baby and only girl here,doesn't mean she's the cutest! Even if she is the cutest, she's the meanest. She thinks she is the Boss of me and CeCe. She bites on poor ol' CeCe's ear just to hear him holler. If he tries to slap her she runs...FAST! Oh...Oh....I think I hear Momma coming! Bye..don't forget to vote!! Signed, Jasper