For those of you who never met Kathy Jane,see what we mean? Doctored photo?? Bull roar as we used to say in Oklahoma. Don't you remember when we were peppering each other with questions that time we all met in Va..and one of mine was what on earth did you use on your face? One of the most beautiful complexions I've ever seen. Glad you are gardening KJ. Funny,I never think of gardening as a crutch..it's one of the things we DO,and to me,if not physically,at least emotionally most other things come second to that. So many you could check once a month for a few minutes?

Yes, I lost them (except for 2) when I moved back in 2004. My all-time favorite in the pic, Optimara Modesty, was a strong grower and bloomer. The large, light blue flowers are Optimara Manitoba. Irish Flirt is in the background with a couple of mini trailers, one's Boolaroo and the other's Toorooka.

When I was a kid, my mother sometimes used to quarter a head of iceberg and slather it with her special dressing...which was sort of a Thousand Island, but not really. I always figured that she did it when she was just too freakin' tired to make a real salad...though I liked it. I still like it every so often, but really, iceberg lettuce doesn't have a whole lot in the way of flavor or nutrients, so yeah, it's basically a vehicle for dressing. Mom's Dressing 2 c mayo 1/2 c ketchup 1/4 c Worcestershire 1 T grated garlic 2 t lemon juice 1/2 t black pepper 1/2 t powdered onion 1 T honey 1 t each dried savory, parsley, & basil Mix all ingredients well. It should sit for at least a couple of hours in the fridge so the garlic won't be "hot" and the flavors of the dried herbs can develop, but if it can sit for longer, like all day, it's better.

I have one sister and one brother. After living our working years separated by many miles and only seeing each other for brief visits all those years, retirement brought us much closer together, not only in miles. Getting reacquainted has been a joy. The love for family never was lost, but we found that we really, really, 'like' each other and cherish our time together.