Not to shed a negative light on our state, but I'm curious if you've heard about all the uproar down here this week? Hope you've been informed that, even though you may not be a college football fan right now, after you're here a couple of years you MUST pledge your allegiance to either Auburn University (war eagle! or the University of Alabama (roll tide!). It's mandatory (no, not really). But seriously, you'll be amazed how college football dominates in this state. The vast majority of folks down here can be passionate fans of their favorite school, enjoy kidding around & joking with their rivals, but yet keep it all in perspective. Unfortunately though, like what happened this week, somebody occasionally forgets its just a game & takes it way over the line. Here is a link that might be useful: Auburn University oaks poisoned

Sara, I'm in Medford, Burlington Co. and the really bad microburst was in Gloucester Co. The damage at my house was strictly cosmetic. A bad day all around. My neighbor comes over and starts lecturing me about weeds and poison ivy growing in a row of bayberry that's entirely in my yard. She's my favorite neighbor, but she's german. There was no explaining that we live in the country, and that there are areas which are given over to nature; that it is a kind of religious thing with me. I was rude, just turning and walking away, mid lecture. The second problem of the day was the worst of the two; I value my friendship with my neighbor, and didn't like getting my back up. I should of been drinking wine in Alabama and watching hummingbirds.

hi amijo, I don't know why you could not have the Russelia in AZ. You might not have a large plant growing in the ground the way I do down here on the TX coast, but I have seen people growing it in hanging baskets. The reason they grow it in baskets is so they can place the baskets where they will be able to see the hummingbirds feeding. Hummers LOVE this plant. Fortunately, I can see out my window and watch them on my plant. The main thing is that you would need to remember to water the basket (although my tropical plant book says it can take some drought) and may have to shelter it if the weather got really cold. The plant is a native of Mexico and does well in most soils. Mine is planted in sandy soil. Barb

Well, Pam, that stinks! I had an ephemeral dream of meeting you and Cathy for lunch one day if you came down! But, more than that, it sucks that you won't be getting away from that dreary weather for some fun in the sun... maybe another time, or maybe you'll change your mind at the last minute and still come if you find a great deal :o) Pam, I promise it wasn't my intention to highjack your thread, I'm so sorry! Eileen.... this one is going to be hard... I didn't even flinch when my mom died a few years ago because we weren't close, but this one is going to hurt. I'm closer to granny than anyone else in the family and we have a special bond because we had similar childhoods and both like to quilt and we just think alike about a lot of things... I saw her on Sunday for the first time since we got the news and I was OK until we made eye contact and then I lost it right in front of her... she tried to make me feel better by saying that she's lived a long time and nobody lives forever and I shouldn't get upset because the world would keep on revolving.... then she said that no matter how old you are, that you never want to be told you're going to die and that she was scared she wouldn't see her next birthday... She's scared and I am too because I knew it's not going to be pleasant.... if there's such a thing as a good death, lung cancer isn't it. And she never smoked, but her husband did in the house all the time before he died in 97 of a brain tumor so she was exposed to it regularly.... I guess we'll just keep making the most of what time we have left just like we've been doing, but I fear the rest of our relationship will be about the fact that she is dying... I really think she's ready because her life kind of sucks.... she's largely neglected by the family and barely has enough money to survive from one month to the next and she's watched her husband, brother, and daughter die horrible deaths (all cancer, cancer sucks).... so anyway, I really think she's ready even if she wouldn't admit it.... but I'm not! The family has convinced her to do chemo which is something I don't believe in... especially at 80 years old.... it may give her a few more months, but it ruins quality of life and usually doesn't work anyway. She just had the "port" inserted yesterday for chemo because if they tried to inject the treatments in her veins, it would burn through them! Even amid the sadness of her impending death hanging over our heads, we had a nice laugh or two... I was taking her out to eat as I do every time I visit.... the day before, I'd spilled a drink in my car and forogt to clean the console and she accidentally ran her finger in the stickiness and we both laughed about that as I handed her a bottle of hand sanitizer... then as usual, we talked and I vacuumed and changed a light bulb for her and it was just ilke a normal visit except the for the insidious somberness in the air.... For school, I'm planning to go to a vocation school for LPN... my goal is RN, but the community college has a 2 year wait to even be considered for the program and I know that people who are already LPNs are more readily accepted into RN programs... many places are doing away with LPNs altogether, so I will have to continue, but right now I just need to start doing something, anything... As far as quilts, I don't think I'd call it a skill or talent yet... I need more experience before those words apply, but this is one that I started back in September and have been working on since. It's called a Rail Fence, and as you can see, the cat thought it just for him and fell asleep while I was actively working on it! He nearly got his tail run through the machine :o) I've ony been to one meeting at the quilt group and the host said the ladies all really liked me... and I them! I am saving for a high end embroidery/sewing combo machine with a touch screen and the lady who owns the home studio where the group is held sells them on consignment and she needs a new vacuum, so this could work out well :o) They do an open sit and sew every other Friday, and the owner just said to bring snacks, so I brought pretzles and store bought cookies.... well the ladies didn't bring snacks, they brought dinner... I'm talking fried chicken, stir fry, cassarole, apple pie, potato salad.... I'm making brownies and lemon bars next week, if I still remember how. I was so touched by their welcoming acceptance of a young male invading their midst unannounced that I posted this on the facebook page of the sewing studio which really sums up how I feel about the group and place.... Between the talking, laughing, and eating at the Friday Sit and Sew, I did so little stitching that the motor of my sewing machine barely got warm! However, my heart certainly did as I was readily welcomed by a fun loving group of complete strangers... (owners name), "awseome" hardly seems an adequate enough word to describe you, your studio, and my first experience indulging in such wonderful company! You rock! It's nice to catch up with you guys, even it if meant a bit of hijacking (sorry again Pam, if you do come and we get to meet, I'll buy you dessert or a drink somewhere)... OH yeah, and when I went to St. Pete, the WORST part was eating dinner alone! OH it was a nightmare... and the hotel staff at the front desk looked at me like they felt sorry for me because I didn't have any friends every time I walked by... I wanted to go up and tell them I came alone on purpose! :o)