Sending an email. Thanks.

My fellow gardening friend and I followed our usual routine last Monday at the Flower Show: we arrived just as it opened at 10:00am, and then staggered out of the Convention Center around 8:30pm. . .we both agreed it was somewhat better than usual, but still haven't gotten very comfortable with the "shared" focus - about half of the displays are the veteran nurserymen, and the other half, in recent years, have been the "floral designers" (i.e. the folks who design those lavish, over-the-top parties with a King's Ransom worth of flowers!) Apparently, they needed the new "flash" these floral designers bring, and judging from the comments I was hearing around me, many folks were appropriately "blown away". . .IMHO, much of their work was unbelievably tacky. . .but a couple of the designers this year redeemed their entire profession with some truly imaginative uses of cut flowers in a garden setting. Who knows: maybe others will follow their lead? As always, some of the work in the competitive section was simply jaw-dropping. . .while I am strickly an "outdoors gardener", I have nothing but admiration for the discipline and dedication of this group. The huge marketplace is strictly commercial, but fun to stroll through - it's certainly NOT a place to buy garden items which can invariably be purchased elsewhere, cheaper and better quality. . .my one big exception is Lee Valley: each year, I bring my cumulative list of items that I've earmarked in their catalogue during the prior year and order them there at their booth - you get FREE shipping by doing that! One of the perks of being a Pennsylvania Horticultral Society (PHS) member (aside from the fact that my Dual Associate membership includeds two free Flower Show tickets each year that almost covers the complete cost of membership!) is the wonderful Member's Lounge, just off the Convention Hall floor, where you can periodically retreat for peace-and-quiet away from the hordes and enjoy a complimentary cup of tea or coffee, in a comfortable armchair! Another bonus of membership is access to their list of fascinating tours and worksops (at a reduced fee) - for example, just two weeks before the Flower Show opened, I got to tour Meadowbrook Farm's greehouses (owned by PHS) and saw many of the plants being grown for the Show, including the component parts of that "living wall" you passed through at the show's entryway. . .fascinating!. . .and last summer, there was a tour of eight private gardens in Buck's County that was unbelievable. Then, there's the PHS library, the plant folks you can call anytime with questions, the discounts at many nurseries and suppliers, the reciprocal agreements with dozens of botanical gardens and arboretums around the country allowing you free admission. You're right, I'm a huge fan of PHS - it's one investment you can not only feel good about, but it really pays off. . . This was my 38th Philadelphia Flower Show, since first discovering it back in 1962. . .next year, I hope to finally realize a long-time dream of not only attending, but working as a volunteer - everyone agrees it's an awesome experience! Carl Here is a link that might be useful: Pennsylvania Horticultural Society

We had well over another foot last night. DH normally leaves for work at about 6:30. I got up at 5:30 to dig out his truck while he ate breakfast. Within 5 minutes, I was back in the house, telling him he'd better call out--his truck was so plowed in, there was no way the two of us were going to be able to dig it out. And he's got 5 leftover weeks of vacay time from last year PLUS 6 and a half for this year!!!! But did he call out? Of course not. He WALKED to work (a mile and a half--not bad in nice weather, but.....) So I spent most of the morning and about half the afternoon snowblowing the driveways, a couple of sidewalks and then digging out his truck by hand. I have had more than enough of this mess for this year! This is no way for 2 60-year-olds to live!!! And tomorrow night, we'll have to load up the snow blower, head to the country house and start the process all over again--only we have a LOT more driveway down there.

Wow so glad you brought that back up Ms Glenda. I have been seeing their commercials on tv and wondered if anyone has ever recieved one...should have known to look here LOL how thought of Linda to do that for you!! Now wonder if they deliver something like that in my area...I would love to send one to my neighbor who owns the flower shop and what do you send to someone who already has flowers LOL STacy