Generally, the commissarys have your typical run of the mill, pothos, ivy's, and general house plants. In the last two years, there has been a shift to 'money' plants, and Lucky Bamboo. For quite some time they sold quality orchids, and you could find some real surprises every so often. The exchanges have always had plant departments, and depending on who their current supplier is, sorts out to what type of quality you get. In the last year, many more BeefSteak begonias have shown up, and less common plants. A few ZZ's, but only the most basic hoya. When I worked at the NEX, I continually quized the verdor about hoya availablility... What we tended to get was nice orchids, but not nice prices. An 8 inch pot increased to $28 per pot after I left. NO ONE is going to pay that price for Risky plants. I was happy to see them getting Monrovia stock in, and Much Less Color Spot. Denice, I remember your Photo Fiasco, and when you switched to PicTrail. I seem to be having much the same luck as you. The hours to call are 9 to 5, Cali time, so I have to make time on my cell to chat. I got my husband to call, and he has a heart of gold... BUT. I took the time to send an email last week, at first I couldn't even send one to them. I got a response before the weekend was out, saying thank you for the advisement of the current problem, we will look into that. So, today I called and spoke to a real person, whom I reassured that I had done all that I could on my end. I learned some new stuff, taking screen shots, tracking source code. Emailed all that back. Ran some errands (I'm off for two days.) When I got back I immediately checked, and lo & behold, another email from my first contact, telling me that everything was all fixed and they hope to continue to do business with me. I checked, nothing was fixed, SOS, different day. I emailed back using my new skills and explained EXACTLY what my problem was. It will probably be another 8 days before I hear from them. Boy, I Do go on and on... So, I have stuff blooming and sitting, and somehow I've changed the setting on my camera, it only stores 30 pix now. Trying to clean off my comp, install virus stuff, another sad story entirely, but you've heard enough.

Namaste Don, Nice Guardian Angels. I seem to have found a sweet spot for my Golden Meadows as it keeps it's variegation for at least a couple of months. The texture on Golden Meadows is great as well. I had another experience with monkeys in Malaysia. They came trooping along to the hotel on the power lines and were eating fruits (I assume) in the trees. I tried to call them over by whistling. One popped up on the veranda of my room and sat on the railing for a while and kept looking around me. I figured out it was eyeing the fruit basket inside my room. I went in and got a banana and the monkey took it and ate it. One by one I emptied the fruit basket. I took 2 rolls of film (long time ago). Another monkey came popping up and it was nasty. Hissing and opening its mouth. These were smaller monkeys so I just hissed back at it and it didn't want to take me on. After they gave up on any more fruit from me, they joined the pack and went over the roof to the inside courtyard and attacked the maid with her cart of linens and....fruit for the fruit bowls. She was whacking them with towels and when she went after one the others would jump in and steal some fruit. I have booklet of photos that I took on my balcony. None of the maid; I felt sorry for her. A quick look hasn't turned up any pictures, but they are around here someplace. This was back when I liked monkeys. I have the pictures of both Malaysia and Bali, somewhere, but I haven't put my hands on them yet. I certainly don't like the monkeys that live behind me. They seem to be hiding again. This little escapade is going to hurt their wallets a lot. Hopefully they will learn, but that is what I always hope. Jon

Alison, that was a VERY creative and clever theme! My favorite is also 'Why? Because you wanted one and 2 are okay." I personally have (ahem) 5 wood and 2 plastic. And yes, the first step to recovery is to admit you have a problem. Just make sure you're not cutting alone too often or people will start talking. I too love The Tassajara Bread Book! What a great box!! Enjoy, Marcia p.s. I have yet to get around to writing you a Thank You note. I can't seem to find the time when I'm home. I still have a White Elephant gift I have to send someone too. Shame on me. Please don't hate me. p.p.s. All four cats are CRAZY about those catnip treats. I sure wish I could find them here! Yum-MEE! You are a Godess to my kitties.

Pretty sure I've had a few too many cakes already! Oh, nuts! I was going to put the panko crumbs on the tuna and noodles last time and I forgot! They were quite yummy and I need to remember I have them instead of going on auto pilot when I make the same thing I've been making for 45 years. If there's a downside to a new kitchen it's the attraction of working in it all the time. If I don't quit eating the evidence I'll be in a 9 by summer. Some mornings I come real close to laying on the bed.