Baby Acer - Foliage Close-up 4, Day 4 from planting, 25.9.12

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.

Teeandsee - Colors can vary a little bit but your daylily should still have dark edges at least. Sounds like they sent you the wrong thing. That's disappointing. Do you think they would give you a refund? Your shade garden will be pretty. I used to have sweet woodruff that survived for two or three years and then disappeared. I may have let it get too dry. My first Asiatic lily opened yesterday, a dark red that I got in a trade a few years ago. The same trader sent me two others that have lots of buds. I need to try to get in a visit to Close Gardens to see their lilies/daylilies. I wanted to post a photo of my hydrangea blooming but I'm having computer trouble. It said I don't have enough available space so I guess I need to delete some stuff. The kids have been recording shows on Mediacenter and that takes up a lot of memory. Verbena bonariensis has just a few flowers blooming and seedlings coming up thickly. Homestead purple verbena is blooming but much smaller than last year. I have my mowing caught up again but I need to get out the weedeater and trim around the fence. It IS my honeysuckle blooming even though I sprayed it with Roundup twice. That stuff is tough! I thought I could at least make it sick so that it wouldn't bloom and reseed everywhere. I need to mix it stronger and try again. Helen - Are you back yet?

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