Wow what amazing pictures----It always amazes me when I look at all the windows and try to imagine just how many lives are tied up to those buildings--- I think I've already told you about the book "Time and Again" by Jack finney. This man goes back in time and they used The Dakota for the experiment ---I think you would love this book. great pictures of old NYC. Florence

lemecdutex (Ron) has brought up what I was thinking all through my reading of this thread: For me, this is another nail in my coffin. My nose is extremely sensitive, and not in a good way. I love the scents of the Teas, but there are times (when I'm working in the Sacramento Cemetery Garden) when my nose actually hurts, and I get a headache - this is when things are at the height of bloom, and it comes mainly from the really strongly scented roses. I love being there and working with the roses, so I try to think of it as a price willingly paid, like sunburn, etc. But catalogs that have been scented can just pole-ax me, and the world lately has become so fragrance-happy that those of us that can't handle it (and there a LOT of us) are in a bad way, because it's EVERYWHERE. I think, though I'm not sure, that most perfumes are now made in laboratories out of chemicals, rather than in France, from flowers. And I also think that the scents on paper are made up, at least in part, of chemicals that have been formulated to approximate a particular real fragrance - and the chemicals are a big part of why some people have such an extreme reaction. I've also noticed, in reading on this forum, that people seem to actually "read" rose fragrances differently, according to their individual nose, or olfactory nerve perhaps. Some people smell a tea fragrance, others smell it but don't think it "tea-like". Some consider Teas to be virtually scentless. I read the Tea thing more often than references to the fragrances of other classes, but I think there is probably an individual reaction to those, also. Sherry, I hope your DH doesn't feel insulted by my negative input. I'm sure it seems like a wonderful idea to everyone who loves all those smells, and they are, after all, in the majority. And, anyway, this is all probably just a delightful and jolly discussion, just to run with. Because, actually, I think the cost of such a book/catalog would be prohibitive - that is, if they had to get a good match of all those different roses. Of course, THEN we could have one of those wonderful long threads with people disagreeing like mad about whether a page REALLY smelled like Duchesse de Brabant... Laura

Andrea... As several others have mentioned... Welcome to the Club! I spent quite a bit of money on some more expensive varieties last fall, and told my DH that I wouldn't need to buy any more plants. I said that with the newer varieties, I would be perfectly happy just start to start crossing my own. And I held out... I didn't order any other fans, didn't even look when people here started talking about sales. Then I had to put a special grouping together for my Mother last week. I was looking for specific DL's, and found them on Maryott's, Ridaught's, and Browns Ferry Gardens. All were having incredible sales, so OF COURSE IT WOULDN'T HURT TO LOOK.............. Mind you, I have almost 1 1/2 acres that is fully landscaped (and I mean FULLY... can't squeeze any more plants into any of my beds without removing something.) I do have a large area of lawn, but it is off limits as we are eventually planning on building our house there. And now somehow over the last week I have around 40 new DL's coming........don't know quite how it happened, but it's a done deal at this point. I guess that the woods are going to have to be pushed out a little bit further on one side or the other! The good thing is that I am lucky enough to have a DH that is wonderful as well (not quite as good as yours as I have to build my own beds :), but he's still a keeper ), and he just smiles at me and shakes his head. He is definitely not a gardner, but he still enjoys sharing at least my seedling beds because I am so excited about them. I don't know what I would do if he wasn't so tolerant of my addiction! Actually, I guess I would just have to do what a member on the rose forum once posted.....sneak out in the middle of the night to plant. After all, how is he going to notice one more plant more or less? :) Thank goodness it hasn't come to that ...............SO FAR........... Happy Planting! Julie

If you are 5' tall or shorter, little squatting will be required. Those 5' 6-8" or taller will have to bend or squat to use it, especially the LCD display. You should see if there are any stores with a display unit that is installed that low to simulate it. And remember, if it's slightly uncomfortable in the store, it will become increasingly exasperating when you live with it. Microwave drawers are often made with tilted displays and obviously the drawer aspect makes it much easier to use than reaching into a low-mounted oven. That said, tens of thousands of people use professional-style ranges with very low ovens. They should be able to share their thoughts on low-mounted ovens. David