Congratulations girls !!!!!! I wanted to say earlier, but have been so busy, that I was honored to be in the running !! It is a beautiful Brug , and I am glad the winners will each get one. You both are very deserving ladies. I am keeping my eyes on Eddie's "Confusion" though, it is absolutely the bomb!!! I can't wait till the bidding slacks off, I just hope he keeps that one going untill I can get one!!! Got to go , work is calling.... Sandra

Apologies in advance for the detailed reply..... ......... I do extensive research into iris parentages and keep track of the newer iris crosses thru publications such as the AIS iris check list, and my own research. I'll tell you right now that whether or not a newer iris is "worth" the price is a total matter of personal taste and initial reaction to seeing a new introduction for the first time. For me the vast majority of new introductions are NOT worth it, because of the hybridizers penchant for using older varieties as parents, that result in "new" iris that do NOT innovate as far as color, branching, petal width, ruffling, new color patterns, bud count etc. Many of the new introductions, with a few exceptions are look alikes of varieties commonly available for much, MUCH cheaper. I've tossed hundreds upon hundreds of seedlings that people thought were beautiful, but didn't exhibit the traits i think an new $40-75 iris should have. If people are going to spend 40 - 60 dollars on my new intros - then I want my iris to LOOK INNNOVATIVE!!! (I shout for emphasis only, here). Some people may think my intros are so-so at best, too. Well, thats fine with me, since I realize all tastes are different, but I strive for modern traits, and won't intro any iris that don't exhibit the traits that I look/and am willing to pay for. There are entirely too many "look Ma, what I did" type of entries into the iris registration books, -- and that includes well known intros by popular hybridizers.

Lake Mayor - if you click on "my page", then click on "my journal" and then click on "teresa_MN's page" it will bring you to a link to my email. Send me your address. I got to the post office today and there were no less than a couple hundred people. I will take an earlier bus tomorrow morning and go to the PO when they open at 6:30. So Shambo and all others should get their rice Saturday. Lou - no need to send me anthing. I found a package of goodies on my steps today that came from you! That will be a seperate thread. This was really fun! And Joshua did a great job picking a good mix of folks. A couple have never had the rice, some people I know, one I've never heard of! I was very happy to be able to share rice this year. I've never seen a crop like this, and I don't expect I ever will again. There have been years I have ordered rice from Deer River, Minnesota when our crop was slim. I ordered 30 lbs of rice from the guy a couple weeks ago for a friend who was coming to town for Thanksgiving. The shipping to my house was cheaper than shipping it to Texas. I had plans to meet this friend for drinks and I handed off the rice then. If anyone wants the name of that place, let me know. There are several rice sellers in Deer River, but only one has hand harvested lake rice. Teresa

les917, I do like the Wisteria, but I have to consider that the room is so tight that the color is magnified. Perhaps it's bouncing off the walls at each other. I mean, just look at the criminal Constellation....looks so gentle and sweet in those photos. But put it on all 4 walls and Holy Cow, that room was radiating BLUE! So, I feared what would happen with that gentle spirit known as "Wisteria". I will be saving that paint chip and might use it down the road. There is one bedroom that still needs to be painted and you just never know, this could be the winner. I must say, that I feel so happy going forward. It was killing me not knowing how to proceed. The Nimbus is calming, not crazy. Now I'm excited to go get that floor and be ready to start the install asap. Thanks everybody for all the great advice.