Okay, if there are other entire forums missing, then it is not related to US or what we have or haven't been discussing, which is a good thing. The bad news is, was it a malicious hacker? Or is it just a GW glitch that they can soon fix? We can only hope! And it would make no sense to intentionally pull the entire board over ANY comment. Wouldn't they just remove the post, as they have done in the past. This bare, empty board is depressing. I feel just like Nova...I came home, but no one is there. Not even the house! ACK!!! I HATE this! QUICK, somebody...start a new thread!! Marcia

Kate, what a beautiful tribute to some exquisite roses. I think it would have about killed me to lose an Eden Climber that looked like yours--those magnificent blooms! I love the mass of creamy color that Buff Beauty produces, too. All are lovely. By the way, "Where Have All the Flowers Gone" was sung by so many artists that I can see why you couldn't remember just which one. First sung by Pete Seeger in 1955 (too far back for even me); then, I believe Peter Paul, and Mary sang it. But the iconic recording I remember best, at age 19, was that of Joan Baez in 1965, and it became a protest song against the Vietnam War. Lesley, I am sorry Golden Celebration didn't work out for you because yours was so gorgeous--it's also one of my favorite roses, but blackspot isn't a problem here, and that can make all the difference. Don't beat yourself up about New Dawn--I rid myself of 5 of them, all of which were once bloomers and monsters. During that brief bloom period in spring, I admit they were gorgeous monsters. Sara-Ann, your two Queen Elizabeth roses were simply beautiful, and I can see why you want to replace them. Why did you lose them, if I may ask? I've lost a few (by my own hand), but I don't have a single photo of any of them. It's probably for the best. But thank you all for sharing those you have loved and lost. Diane

It is amusing - but I'm in my mid fifties, and both my grandmothers were working women. One managed a small, exclusive department store, and the other worked on the school board. That grandmother is still living at 99, and only retired at 79. They were both wonderful women, but they sure weren't sitting in a rocking chair or baking cookies.

I kinda know about what you mean about tossing a beautiful rose because of black spot. For me, Babs was that rose. Beautiful purple blooms with pin point centers and a great smell. It would be covered in black spot before the blooms had a chance to really look good. Then when the temps got to the upper 80's it completely shut down. Nothing. No new growth. Nothing. A hand full of green branch's that just sat there until the daytime temps stayed in the 70's. Then new growth that got black spot before a bloom would set. I must admit that when I saw the title of the post I was immediately rushed to 1968 in Nam in the middle of a stinking nasty rise paddy or on the banks of some stinking river or stream, getting dead American boys ready to go home after a nasty battle. One of a very few songs that stays with you always. Don't get me wrong. I'm very proud of my unit and the men that fought next to me. We didn't run and hide. We did what we were asked to do by our country. Be it right or wrong. (Co.C 3rd/47th, Mobile Riverine Force, 9th Div)