Calliope and Rob's comments about Bulgaria in my patio thread got me thinking I should talk about what I know of the country and the trip before I go, and this is probably the most appropriate thread in which to do so... We are going because we have a lot of Bulgarian friends, and we have a priceless opportunity to see a new place in the company of insiders. We will be staying with a good friend who is a naturalized American but still keeps her apartment in Sophia. Also traveling with us is another native who now has an American passport, his wife (who's from ND, so you know she's cool!), and their 18 year old son. We'll also be visiting my girlfriend's parents, whom we've met before and who live in an apartment in the same building, and the wife of my girlfriend's brother. The brother is also a good friend of ours. He has a green card, so can't be out of the US for more than 6 months... and the wife is waiting for her green card and can't come here until she gets it... oh, and she's about 8 months pregnant. My friends promise to introduce me to a wide circle of family and friends. Most don't speak English, but my friends will translate... plus I understand I'll be able to converse with some friends in French... and I do speak a bit of Russian, if they'll forgive me for communicating in the language of a former oppressor. If all else fails, I'm a dang good mime. I'm actually surprised at how much Bulgarian I'm able to understand, and I can read the alphabet. We're planning on spending some time cooking together, some time visiting historic sites, like Rila Monestary, and some time at the Black Sea. From what I am told, these are some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. I suggested we hit Greece, since we'll be so close, but I was met with disdain (and Bulgarian pride), after all, Greek beaches are horrible pebbly places, while Bulgarian beaches are beautiful and covered in sand. Bulgaria was dominated for centuries by the Ottomans, and there are lots of residual Turkish influences. Lots of Greek and Russian influences too. They are proud people, and while they have adopted many of the foods and customs of people who have dominated them over the years (they seem to be gifted at choosing the losing side in wars), they can be a bit touchy about the whole thing and are quick to point out All Things Bulgarian. For instance, Bulgarian doesn't use the Russian alphabet, Russia uses the Bulgarian (Cyrillic) alphabet. Bulgaria is part of the EU, but they haven't converted their currency yet. They produce most of the world's supply of rose oil, a component in nearly all perfumes. I was disappointed to learn the rose farms will not be in full bloom, because areas of the country feature valleys full of roses as far as the eye can see, and the scent is supposed to be heavenly. Oh, and nodding the head = "no" and shaking the head = "yes". Apparently this is the source of much confusion with outsiders. I have been told that this is because Bulgarians are largely comprised of three tribes of horsemen, and this body language emulates that of horses... (they nod when agitated) but I don't know whether or not that's an apocryphal explanation... We're leaving this week and will be gone for a while. I promise to take lots of pictures and post stories when I'm back and over my jet lag.

Hi Mulberryknob - I agree with your assessment. I do have a somewhat more elaborate plan than having the vines grow up the handles. I'm not very handy, though so I'll have to see if it really works out. I have several five gallon buckets that I'll be planting in this summer. I thought what I'd do is sink a handle into the side of each of two fully planted buckets, put the planted buckets about a handle-distance apart from each other, and then affix a horizontal handle across the top, connecting the two uprights together. This would be my trellis handle-frame. Then, I plan to hang trellis netting from the handle-frame for the pea-vines to grow on. I'll be building a small berm in which to plant the peas, which will take up the ground space between the two buckets. I'm not sure, but I may also have to stake out the buckets to keep the handle-frame trellis contraption from keeling over in the wind. This is either going to work or flop fantastically, but I'm up for the challenge! Given that almost everything I'm using this summer is salvaged and scrounged, I figure what's the worst that could happen? Hmmmm. . . Carrie

Tammy (ShelbyRayMom) Thank you so very much for the goodie box i received today. everything arrived in excellent condition, well rooted and labeled so i would know what was what. You sent me what you called aloe "babies" -- wow, more like teenagers. nice plants, there's enough of these guys to put them all in separate pots. I have one tiny one that i have been growing forever but it refuses to grow. now that it has company, maybe it will stand a chance! a christmas cactus and a blue agave. i have never had either of these succulents and look forward to having them as a part of my indoor garden. i'll keep them potted up and outside for the summer, but they will be indoor plants once the season ends. what a nice addition. an air plant -- i have some research to do on this. sounds quite interesting. tammy, you hope i like garlic? LMAO. we are garlic-aholics here. my son would put it on/in his cereal if i would let him. we use it like other people use salt and pepper. it's pretty much a "vegetable" here. lol the circle journal. wow, what an amazing thing. i have never seen anything like it. i am one of 5 sisters (2 brothers) and each of us is on a new journey at this point in our lives -- life,job, house, health, kid changes, etc. i am going to start this and pass it on to each sister and keep it going. what a great way to keep us connected. i love this idea and i love the fact that you sent it to me. i so appreciate it. Tammy, again thank you for everything you sent me. it is all so appreciated and i look forward to enjoying all the special things you chose for me. i especially want to thank you for your birthday wishes and your thoughts. i know you have had so much to deal with in the last few weeks and i should not have been a thought, but you did anyway, and i hold that dear to my heart. i'm off to "journal". with gratitude, earthly

Well you gather a group of people (any number), you each pick a theme for your journal and we circulate them via snail mail and you work a page in each others journal, then mail it on to the next person. I have seen some completed ones and they are beautiful. So if you are interested, send me your email address and I will give you more details! Kim mikay@rogers.com