pkock: First of all, I wouldn't give up on the idea of becoming a superb garden writer - simply because they are badly needed for many, but not all of the reasons given below. 1. In my humble, one of the best garden books ever written is "Green Thoughts: A Writer in the Garden" by Eleanor Perenyi. I believe that it is still in print, but if not, obtain a copy from your local library either on the shelves or through their interlibrary loan system. In reality, I believe that you should have this book on your shelves and so you might wish to explore either of the two excellent sources of new and used books listed below. http://wwww.abe.com or http://www.alibris.com Pay particular attention to her chapter on "Failure" as well as the chapter on "Pruning". I wish that I had read the later chapter while in high school as it would have made my classes in English Literature far more enjoyable and my few undergraduate classes in the same area more interesting. FYI - the chapter on "Pruning" has little to do with the actual "pruning" of trees, shrubs, flowers, etc., but it has a great deal to do with a philosophy of gardening. Read it, learn, and, above all, enjoy!! In short, it is her point of view and her style of writing that makes this book a very treasured gem. 2. The second highly recommended book in John Madson's book: "Where the Sky Began: Land of the Tallgrass Prairie". I suspect that most members of the gardenweb forums who have read the book would consider this book as essential reading in the area of gardening. I believe otherwise. Having been born, bred, and experienced the tallgrass prairie of Illinois for over five decades before moving to northwestern Michigan, I read this book many years ago and came to far better appreciate the construction of the prairie soil/loam and to better understand the weather and climate of the tallgrass prairie. I can't remember the title on "soil", but there is a chapter on "The Great Weathers". Both of these chapters convinced me of the necessity of planting bare rootstock material in the fall when possible. Why, simply because there is often a rapid upswing in temperature and humidity during the month of May and June. Sometimes it is so rapid that the changes put a great stress on newly planted flowers, roses, shrubs, etc. Besides Madson's approach, his experiences of growing up on the Iowa prairie, his style, etc., I believe that this book's regional approach should be repeated throughout the United States. I gave a copy of this book to some good friends in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. She and her husband operate a wonderful B & B just north of Engadine, MI - the Sandtown Farmhouse B & B - and Caroll is a wonderful gardener, who would like to write. A regional approach - like Madson's book - would be most helpful for northern gardeners. I believe that a similar approach could be made for Ohio gardeners, such as yourself. I'd write more, but we're headed to Traverse City with our grandson shortly to visit our daughter, Nicole, who is undergoing a minor operation. Hopefully, I'll be able to contribute a second installment later this evening or by tomorrow. Hope that this small contribution will give you further encouragement. Take care and best wishes! Bill

Oh Demi, you are my kindred spirit. I relate so well to your tears over that sofa. That being said, I have had to force myself to let items leave my capable hands. I felt as though it was my duty to keep the items left behind by my entire deceased family. I have items from three aunts, a mother and father, a first cousin and a sister. Did I mention that my aunts saved everything that shined? Sigh. I had quite a collection of very well cared for and loved antiques. I have managed to give a few things away, but I still do not have the ability to rid myself of the bulk of it. This situation is not like yours. You have one lovely item, that I am sure will find someone to care and love it. Me? Well, my situation requires purging and I know it. This summer for sure. All of these keepsakes are not the memories of my husband and sons and it is unfair to make them live buried by some of these things. Heck, some of it I don't even remember seeing at my relatives' houses! Like you, everyone knew that I was the sentimentalist and kept giving me stuff. We both need to be selective. Let's repeat the mantra: You can't keep everything. As I said, this summer for sure.

I was paying $190 (with HBO)to Comcast. I switched to Verizon for $117, still way too much for the junk that is on tv. I actually used to enjoy the HBO documentary programs, but not enough to pay that amount. Once my intro price runs out, I will consider going to the most basic cable and getting programs through Netflix or something similar. I am most disappointed with the morning news shows. They have become so fluffy. Every day it's showing silly youtube videos, cooking segments, interviews with idiots like that Snookie person and very little real news. Bring back Dave Garroway. The Today Show is the worst. I like some of the HGTV shows, even though I know they are staged. I like Modern Family and Suburgatory and the one about the rich girl who works as a waitress. Most nights I turn off the tv and play around on the computer. There are some great shows on The Smithsonian channel but I no longer get that with Verizon.

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