What a surprise to see this thread come back up! And what a shock to see my summer garden, from the present moment of the autumnal decline of November. I still have that poem taped to the refrigerator door. Bart, I quit CdG some years ago and have an impression that it's not very active these days. I got quite tired of certain aspects of it toward the end. And I've lost sight of the people I met through the forum, keeping in touch only with a couple of gardeners I met through a different channel. This thread reflects a very rare moment of sociability: I too find relating to others difficult. I garden these days almost entirely in a human vacuum, not liking it much, but perhaps I've reached nadir and a period of more contacts is approaching. Thanks for the invitation, I'll keep it in mind, and definitely do come pay us a visit when you can: it will be interesting to swap notes as well as plants. By the way, I don't know with any precision where you live. We're in the province of Piacenza, comune of Lugagnano Val d'Arda, about half an hour from Fiorenzuola Val d'Arda, which is on the main rail/highway line going from Parma to the city of Piacenza. My pot ghetto reached its lowest level a week or two ago, then began to swell again: cuttings of three kinds of phlomis, double mock orange, Salvia 'Icterina', perovskia, gaura, Clematis integrifolia, some experimental sour cherry cuttings, added to the winter-blooming shrub honeysuckle, single kerria, etc. etc. that were already there. And naturally the propagation beds are once more in expansion. This frantic activity will continue until the garden is more or less completely planted. And believe me, you're not the only one who loses tags: I have far too many unidentified roses, in spite of strenuous efforts to keep them labeled. Bad weather is on the way: the forecast is for snow for Saturday night and freezing temperatures to follow. I need to transfer some of the pot ghetto to the propagating beds, bring out the old sheets to cover those that remain, and get new plastic sheeting to set up the winter cold greenhouse for the succulents; the air plants and clivia must finally come indoors. Summer has definitely gone, now, if only we get some decent precipitation. My currently flowering Tea roses are in for a shock.

Hi All! I had a great time getting to meet some of the people on the board! Mommyfox - Thank you for hosting and lunch! Your shade gardens are lovely! I think you passed on your orchid just in time - I believe one of the blooms is going to open today! Thank you so much, I will hug it and love it and call it my own (too much Bugs Bunny as a kid). I'll let you know when I sprout those columbine seeds! Sylvia - Thank you for Miss Beverly Sills, I planted her right away and she seems to be doing well. I'll post pictures of her this coming spring... hope she blooms for me! I am wondering around looking for a good spot for the crinum... we'll see!! melvalena - I looked up the pictures/info on the Flame Acanthus, and now I am looking for it's permanent home! I need to be sure to plant it in the right spot so I can watch all those cute little hummers as they feed! momofjandj - thanks for the brownies!! Yum, Yum!! It was nice to be able to talk plants with you all!! Thanks for all the great plants and information!! Can't wait 'till next time!

I too enjoyed our meeting. It was fun and great to see everyone again. I must say, this is a genuine friendly group. I too looking forward to meet next time. I hope we get to do this at least every 6 months or less. Ooops, we forgot to take pictures. We were too busy chatting, eating and laughing :) Next year, we need to drag Ravencajun and her DH to the Rodeo! It's such a big and fun event. Living in Houston, she needs to experience it at least once.

My gathering with the old guys and wives is to be on the 27th - at that Hilltop restaurant on the west edge of London, to which I referred. I told the coordinator this morning that I might not be going ... and he wondered what could have come up to displace a plan that's running for all year. I told him that it was a meeting with some folks/friends that I'd met on the internet ... and one popular lady was from Arizona, so it was a one-time only opportunity. I'm thinking of suggesting that the lady that I usually go with go anyway,suggesting to anyone who asks that Ed isn't all there, today (if you'll pardon the expression). Actually ... the coordinator was running around at the close of the meeting looking for his list, and I don't think that he found it ... ... so maybe even he isn't sure how many will be "all there" at the crucial time ... ... with or without wives! Since there's to be a gathering with the Windsor folks, and Iva Mae isn't expecting to be available, and I'm free to travel, would it be better to plan a meeting in Woodstock ... Brantford ... Hamilton, which would make it easier for folks in and around Toronto to attend? Perhaps it could be earlier, after Niagara Falls and before Nita and Mike come to the campground near London? ole joyful