Lol! I have pink drift, that came from a grower, but pulled out the coral drift because it was competing with roses I liked better. I am practical about my garden. If it works, I keep it, I really don't care about its "common-ness." I have a Prosperity "tree" that I have espaliered to the north side my wall, and I wanted a tiered effect, so I have Pink Drift, Golden Buddha, International Herald tribune, and Natchitoches Noisette under the tree for filler. It works. I suspect you are in good company Sheri. In the heat of summer Drift keeps going. It is like an Ever-ready bunny! My pink drift is quite short and is three years old about 18" x 24" But I know what you mean about its lack of perceived value. I feel that way about a lot of my roses. Many of my roses are earthkind OGRs, which makes them the common roses of the OGR world. But they are beautiful and reliable. Like Pink drift. Only more special.

Not weird at all, Marilyn. I believe every word of it. Three or four years ago, we had our 12 year old buff cocker put to sleep. He followed me every step I made in the garden, even after he got so sick. He used all the energy he had to creep around after me, and I knew he was suffering. I told him goodbye here and Damond took him to the Vet. When he returned, I had his grave dug and ready in the garden. We got through this, but never got over it. Then last year, I was in the garden weeding, when I had this creepy feeling come over me. I turned around and a buff cocker spaniel was standing there looking at me. No words can explain how I felt. I dropped down on my knee, held out my hand and said, Sandy?? He only hesitated for a split second and came right to me. Was it Sandy? Of course not. Sandy is gone, but I do believe his spirit is still here with me in the garden.We put an ad in the paper and this "Sandy" was claimed, which is as it should be, but I'll never forget that moment when I saw him standing there looking at me. Ida

I have the Con-Tec Scarecrow motion activated water spray and it works well. Very amusing to see the deer take off when they activate it - same goes for unsuspecting friends and family! It is adjustable and the herd learns pretty quickly to avoid the area - but they will come back now and then so it's best to leave it activated. On the negative side you will need a water supply, have to disconnect and drain in freezing weather, and it has a tendency to get false activations on a windy day.

This is my favourite basic chili recipe. I just use this recipe as an outline and every time I make it is is slightly different depending on what peppers I have on hand. Sometimes I use ground beef, and sometimes I use round/sirloin steak or pork cut into cubes. I use different beans. Black beans, pinto beans, kidney beans or chili beans. And I always serve it topped with cheese and homemade salsa with homemade tortillas on the side. Home Cookin Chapter: Recipes From Thibeault's Table Chili - Tex- Mex Seven Pepper Chili =================================== ================== 3 lbs. lean stew meat-beef, , ground coarse or in ½-inch cubes 1 lb. pork loin, ground coarse or cubed 2 tbsp. pure lard or shortening 3 large yellow onions, chopped fine 2 stalks of celery chopped 2 tsp. cumin seeds 1 tsp. ground cumin 7 cloves garlic 1 to 3 Tablespoons( or more to taste) of ground chilis. Use a variety of different ones, i.e Chiles pasillas, equines, chile anchos, dried New Mexico Chilis, etc.. 1 tsp. Tabasco sauce 2 tsp. salt 5 jalapenos, fresh, seeded 3 cans tomatoes, 1 can beer (Mexican if you have it) l-oz. square unsweetened chocolate (Or Mexican chocolate) 2 cups Beef Broth Dried Pinto, black beans or kidney beans or canned. . . Brown meat in fat until no longer pink. Add onions and and celery and cook until clear. Combine in food processor or blender the cumin, garlic, and all of the different chilies., Tabasco, salt, jalapenos, and I can of tomatoes. Blend and set aside to steep. Add this mixture to the meat along with the two cans of tomatoes, the beer, broth and chocolate. Turn fire down real low and simmer least 2 hours. If using dried beans add them now. Stir occasionally to keep it from sticking. If the meat you have used is lean, you will probably have no fat to skim off, but if there is fat floating on the top, skim. Once the chili has cooled, you can remove any congealed fat. This keeps well and freezes well. TEx-Mex Cookbook