This is growing in zone 10 (south of Los Angeles). You can't tell in the picture but it's in a spot that receives shade for almost half the day, including the late afternoon. During the winter season that location gets maybe only 3 or 4 hours of direct sunlight. This might be the reason for its success. The bush has gotten fairly big and, as you can see, there are lots of blooms on it right now. Surprisingly doesn't seem to require much watering, it's in hard clay soil. I can't say it's the most fragrant lilac I've ever smelled though, but it's okay. I too am a little surprised, I had read that lilacs require some chill, or at least take some special care to grow in low chill climates. Maybe it's because lilac is closely related to olive, so is a little more adaptable to lower chill climate conditions (even though it prefers higher chill climates).

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Dear all, Thank you very much for your thought about Lilac and California Lilac. I had tried Lavender Lady when I started gardening, about 7 years ago. Being such a gardening newbie, I planted in full sun because "tag said full sun"! Needless to say, it was too much sun to this poor Southern Lavender did not make it. I also tried Texas Mountain Laurel, and I ended up pulling it because of the slow growth. It sit on the site for about 2 years and refused to grow for me. I planted Gardenia (Augustus) in the same hole, and this one is growing no problem. I guess I will stock up Lavender scented candles and be content.

Elly, I think your twinkling heart is pretty, you have just given it a different twinkle. When you have your twinkly completed with the black background, next you will want to make your background transparent. Edit/select all Animation/Replace colour Old colour Black, tolerance 100 RGB Value Transparent opacity, the background will still look black but it is transparent when you paste it into something, if all the black is not removed move your tolerance to a higher number.You can save it as a gif to one of your folders. To export to PSP, select all, File, Save frame as Paint Shop Pro image.Then open it PSP Now you may think I am very clever, but I have copied most of this from the tutorial.I am not very good at explaining things, but I hope this helps.Hazel