It is early spring. Every year it is the time when a ton of "be priveledged enough to design my no budget elaborate landscape for free" threads come out. I don't think it has changed much since the mass exodus a few years ago. Many of the fun and informative personalities have taken up blogging as individuals and in groups rather than in open forums. That is good because it is a source for focused writings that stay on point and don't become corrupted. Those are great sources. Open forums are a totally different animal where we are all subject to other people's comentary and a greater degree of vulnerability. There is some discomfort in that and certainly a lot less control of where threads will lead. Sometimes a consensus of nonsense builds, but the openess is what it is all about. I really like it because it lets me know when I am not doing a good job of communicating, it points out when I'm wrong, and other people interact and reshape my perspective continually. Yes, there is a lot of stuff that is not worth reading or that is just plain annoying (myself included, I'm sure). It just depends what you want to get out of it and what you want to put into it. It is a difference between reading or writing and true interaction.

Hope you don't mind if I join in on this message thread with a little "tip"... it's my first time on the roses forum..... A word of intro.... I live in Howard Co MD - I used to have a beautiful rose garden back in the '90's. Mostly hybrid teas. In 1998 I moved away for several years, came back and the rose garden was gone. The tenants dug it out and used the hole for burning trash! This is the first year I've returned that I will have the opportunity to replant new roses. I kept a list of my favorites from before, and will look it up and post it here later today --- from what you've listed in your message, I think some are ones you might like. Want to mention that since some of you are in Maryland, too, that there is a rose garden nearby that is worth the effort of visiting.... it's the Bishop's Garden at the National Cathedral in Bethesda. I last visited it in July 2006 - in the middle of an extreme heat wave, and their roses were FAN-TAS-TIC!!! Full, healthy plants.... healthy blooms, healthy leaves --- NO JUNE BUGS!! They have a wonderful variety, and all are posted as to what kind they are. I was so very impressed!! I would've gone over to the little garden center they have on the grounds and asked what their care program is, but I was with out of state visitors, and it wasn't the best time. Just thought I'd mention this for you Maryland folks.... it's worth the trip to the National Cathedral in the middle of a hot summer to see THEIR ROSES..... it's truly an inspiration and learning experience. Miss Mary One of my roses was Chicago Peace. Is that one still around?? I can't remember, but there is "something" people don't like about it.... maybe disease prone? Whatever... it is gorgeous.

Lights! Good one! I am not posting my Christmas lights, but that would have been a good idea, glad you thought of it. One was a double L. Lights and the business name started with L.

I'd be happy to participate. I did a paper once on why married men cheat online. I simply went on a free dating site and asked them to anonymously tell me why they were out there looking for sex when they were married. It was very interesting. Isn't the internet wonderful? So much information, so little time.