Thank you all, my dear, dear friends. Yesterday we had one of those days here at our house -- no water for 36 hours, Freya sneaking a pizza off the kitchen counter, and the smell of fresh polyurethane pervading the cold, damp house.... On the other hand, I had the loving affection of Tom and my DS Jacob, calls and cards from family, and greetings from all of you. And tonight we're going out to dinner to try celebrate again. Carla, Luanne, Jon, Anita, Lori, Ingrid, Sue, Carolina, Pamela, and Carol -- each one of your messages brought smiles and memories to my mind. I just realized that with the exception of Ingrid, I know each one of you in the Real World (as opposed to online) -- Ingrid, we'll just have to correct that soon. The only birthday wish I have left (besides more rain) is to hope that I get to see you all again as frequently and as soon as may be. Rosefolly

Thank you for the birthday wishes. It has been crazy busy at work. So I hardly even get to check email or read the forum any more. However got to work yesterday and they had gotten a sub for me so I could read student assessment papers. I was done by 1:30pm and they let me go home. Happy Birthday to me!!

I honestly don't know the last time I had a margarita, so it was a really good treat. Cabo Wabo tequila, too. Surprisingly, I feel OK this morning considering I really don't drink hard liquor, probably the last time I had a margarita.

@Lisa Adams "Since Paul’s pictures are directly above this, I must ask who this beauty is!? As many of you know, I do love my Paul Barden roses!" Hi Lisa, nice to hear from you! The rose pictured above is a seedling from 2007, a cross of Midnight Blue X Lilian Austin. (27-07-16 is its code number) Its blooms are spectacular (and intensely scented) but the plant is a total dud. Its 13 years old now and still hasn't exceeded 24". But when it flowers well, I forgive it its shortcomings, at least for a moment. Stay safe.