Welcome to smoky Sacramento, Laura! We cancelled yesterday's work day in the cemetery because of the smoke - and may do it again for Saturday, because the forecast is for more of the same. We almost NEVER cancel, but who needs to breathe this yucky air? Glad you made it out to the cemetery garden - yes, the peak is over, but fortunately there is always something in bloom. We'll be "Deadheading at Dusk" on Monday, July 7th, at 6:30 pm. They lock the gates at 7 pm normally, so this is a great chance to be in the cemetery when nobody else is there. We work till we can't see what we're doing, then have some refreshments and hang out Hopefully, the smoke will have cleared by then, and it won't be too hot. Hope you can join us, and anybody else who is in the area. Anita

Just planted my cukes, hubbard squash and melons - durned skunks already found the nice cool damp soil for digging, but I think they missed the biggest areas. As luck would have it, I harvested some promising dill weed a few weeks ago, as I didn't notice any promising new dill sprouting. It hung in the kitchen corner on a nail, and this morning I took scissors to it, as it was nice and dry. The smell was mouth-watering, and I think it will be strong enough to flavor cukes, in case I can't find any later. Still prefer fresh tho. Also harvested some horseradish the other day. There was some talk about harvesting at certain times, but I've never noticed any difference. Whenever its done, it smells and tastes just as pungent. (and don't put your nose in the blender when grinding - huh Ken?). I usually add a bit of white vinegar when I do, and then refrigerate. Seems to stay fresh-tasting for long time. This year, I planted some red type garlic (from grocery store - where else?), and though it was smaller than my usual growth of soft neck types, I thought the taste was much more pungent - and garlicky. It may be hard neck - couldn't tell - which usually doesn't like our climate as well. This deserves a bit of research, however, as I really do like the flavor of it. Will harvest some thyme and oregano today - to dry hung in my kitchen corner along with the other dried stuff. So festive - my corners are with the garlic, dried peppers, mints, and dill weed, all on their respective hooks. The thyme and oregano were both planted as ground covers - under my fruit trees. Not sure if they will eventually rob the trees, but with our water problems (and the city looking over my shoulder - to conserve, conserve - or else!), I like the idea, cuz it helps preserve moisture, and they take little water as well. We have had some very dry winters - and I note also that the water smells more chlorinated all of the time. Wonder what effect it is having on the more susceptible plants. The new peppers seem to be a bit more yellowish than I'd like them - although weather is foggy and cool too. Zabby - that Sauvignon Blanc sounds like fun - my only attempt at wine making was a simple balloon type - not especially outstanding - and I figured it was so expensive and bad tasting, that almost any box wine could have beat it by a mile. But then - considering my amateur standing, I wasn't expecting it to be for the connoisseur crowd. Just my 2 c's. Bejay

For those who grow hostas in the ground, you do not need to remove lawn, You can remove trees. I just this morning contracted with a well-experienced tree service to remove 2 maples and ground out all tree stumps, that is including 3 old ones. There will be a better landscape and new hostas in those places and much less water sucking maple roots. Bernd

lazy, yeah, no problem being seen, since my garage is very prominent and I have a street light right across the street. I would have loved putting the numbers somewhere around my entry porch, but it's too far back and partially obscured by a tree. I live on a quiet circle which has slow traffic and these numbers say "here I am!" So many house numbers are the kind that attach from the back with floating options. I experimented with one of those and found it impossible to gauge level since the pins can throw it off. And good luck if you want to remove it later. I like to place the number where it goes and screw it in, right then and there.