We could make up a packet of a mix of seed that anywhere we go and we see them in bloom, we would know it's the special winter sower's packet.... Ah, to dream....

All this tree-planting is wonderfully encouraging! But if you want to get serious about reforesting your property, then you're just scratching the surface by planting these mostly token specimen trees. If you want to see the fastest and most lush growth, then Mother Nature can do that with a little guidance. She does it with things called pioneer species and secondary succession. You basically need to turn the turf grass into patches of fallen leaves and pine needles that stay undisturbed on the ground all year long. It may sound messy or ugly, but it will explode in lush, native growth within a few years. With a little thinning and pruning, you should be able to guide an assortment of naturally-sprouting tree, shrub, and vine seedlings into a gorgeous patch of woods. It's kind of like "letting things go wild"...but with some guidance and assistance to Mother Nature. You won't read about it in most gardening resources. You'll get better information from forestry experts. It's inexpensive, simple once you get the hang of it, and produces unparalleled results.

I am in NYC all week with DH . Will have to post a pic when I get back. We are having over 100 every day there and no rain in over a week. None expected either. I am having someone water and take care. She said tonight all is very very dry. Hope it doesn't all die. The warm weather is on the way up here to NYC> This has been the 5 or 6th wettest June on record for NYC. Very lush and cool in the park....but it is ending tomorrow...they are of course glad to get sun. funny how it all works out. c

My mother is one of those people who loves to give gifts, but unfortunately, has no sense of what the other person likes. She orders junk out cheap catalogs, re-gifts (for instance, a make-up case where an eyeshadow or two was used), or wraps up prizes she won at bridge tournaments (keychains or BBQ tools marked "Delta Dealin' Regionals"). She is well-to-do, (maybe because she doesn't spend much on presents? ha) so she's not giving inexpensive items out of necessity. She just doesn't get it. Christmas is tricky--but my family chuckles. (My husband got a Humane Society calendar this year, the one they send for free if you've donated. He also received a plastic Thomas Kincaid corkboard/keyholder thing in a busted box that he immediately took to a "Dirty Santa" party.) But then I am left with boxes saying "As Seen on TV!," useless kitchen gadgets, hideous plastic decorative items and heavy sense of guilt for wanting to get rid of it all. "Gosh, it may not be much, but she chose it with love and wrapped it with me in mind. I can't just put it in a yard sale." I was wringing my hands over my quandary, as my closets slowly filled with unwanted items ("but my MOTHER gave me this!"), when a wise friend had a talk with me. She reminded me that when a gift is given to me, it is now mine to do whatever I like with it. It is not Mom's, with strings attached or say-so about what should be done with it. It is MINE. I own it and I have the authority to decide where it goes. And it is perfectly okay if I think it should be donated to Goodwill and be enjoyed by someone else who might love it and think they found a treasure, instead of sitting unopened and disliked in my closet. So I no longer feel bad about "recycling" her unwanted presents. The only time I've ever spoken to her about the issue was when I had to gently ask her not to give me clothes anymore, since her taste was so different than mine. Now I thank her And sometimes she does hit the mark and I am delighted by her gift. You cannot control someone else's desire to spend money on your presents. They enjoy shopping for you and they like thinking they found the ideal gift, even if it's expensive. Of course, if you don't like it, it makes you feel bad that they invested in it, but every so often you might get something you want and then the cost doesn't bother you, right? I think you're being very gracious about trying to decorate with this item to spare your mother's feelings. But it's not up to her what you do with it, because she transferred ownership when she gave it to you.