Work can be. Tell me about it. Took me a lifetime to grasp that it isn't worth it, unfortunately; I wish it were. Hobby? Obsession? What's the difference? I guess the difference - for me - is that, I spend too much money, way beyond our means, on plants (not only on roses) so gardening has become an obsession, not a hobby any more. Gardening and rose forums I am obsessed with despite the fact that I should not lift, carry heavy stuff or band a lot nor should I spend too much time sitting in front of the computer. Or, when I was in high school and got money from my parents for a pair of shoes I spent on a book instead. Hobby is, in my interpretation, that enriches your life or makes it more interesting but does not destroy your health or make you financially bankrupt.

Hi - thanks so much for your post. I never knew there were so many kinds of Geum! I got a few divisions at a local plant sale. They were just labeled "Geum" so I don't know what kind they are. They have orange flowers - about 2 feet tall - in the early summer. Now, in late August, they have dried seed heads. I didn't deadhead because I leave the seeds for the birds. I was told these were native to my NY area so I assumed native birds would enjoy the seeds. Now I would like to harvest some seeds to try to winter sow. I can't tell if there are any seeds left! Nothing looks like an obvious seed - just a lot of chaff. Can you describe the seed or post a photo so I know what I'm looking for? Thanks so much.

If you want a shrubbier, less succulent look, there are a bevy of wonderful low water shrubs, sub-shrubs, and perennials that can handle a LOT of sun I have come across. I wouldn't want a whole garden full of only succulents, but spots here or there can add easy year round color and interesting textures. I've mostly been using them in containers, but I've been putting them towards the front of some mixed borders. The bigger issue with a lot of these plants is tenderness. Many will just die when it reaches the twenties and are set back by temps in the thirties so they are primarily promoted near the coast. I'm not sure what the winter lows are in your area, Ingrid, but I'd be happy to come up with some interesting, high heat/sun tolerance plants that may work well for your vacant area. Aloe tomentosa, Aeonium urbicum, Leucadendron 'Wilson's Wonder', Leucadendron discolor 'Pom Pom, Lessertia montana, and Phyllica pubescens were some I utilized this past weekend. They all have lower water needs and have various points of interest. Phylica in particular works well here if it has excellent drainage because it's indigenous to fairly alkaline conditions. Jay

Well, I called my vet when this started, and he suggested that I show Hershey that the cat is no longer in the basement. Beyond that, he didn't really have any suggestions :( I hope Hershey is getting enough exercise - he is very tired after we run, but that's only once a day. He likes the walks around the block, but they're just for training and fun, not really for exercise. He seems pretty calm outside the basement, more calm than I expected for a young dog. I think you could be right about him being bored, except that I still think it's odd that sometimes when we are outside, he heads to the door and wants to go inside, then runs straight to the basement. I don't think there are critters down there (except for spiders) - haven't seen/heard any evidence of that. I think the obedience training is a good idea - he really does not seem himself in the basement; won't come when I call, or stop barking (elsewhere he is getting good at both things). He does not seem to have much retrieving instinct (I know, odd for a lab) but more interaction/playtime couldn't hurt! My son was hoping to teach him to play frisbee, but so far we have mostly been concentrating on teaching him to come, walk nicely on a leash, not jump up, etc. I am missing our old dog, who was 5 when we got her and SO easy!