I posted this last week in the *Bamboo Forum* since I posted here, with hopes to learn from similar zone, gardeners ... I thought to post this update here, as well. Alan1 suggested to visit the sites I mentioned below ... 'thought would be helpful for those contemplating on acquiring some ... zone5 compatible Bamboos. to Alan 1, I responded to thank him, for his wise suggestion to visit Michigan Bamboo Co. as well as Needmore Bamboo Co. for more info, about Bamboo-growing in our more trying zones! Quoting Needmore: "The reality of Growing Bamboos in Zones 5 & 6" particularly ... I quote: "I've recently come to terms with my 'zonal denial' and I accept that most springs I may have to clear cut nearly all of the previous year's above ground growth".& "I live on the edge of zones 5b/6 and in an average winter the temperature will fall to at least -10F. At these temperatures nearly every species of my bamboo collection will likely suffer total leaf loss and in all most cases, total top kill of the culms." He also warns wanna-be or "new Bamboo growers" of other realities for at least 5 years! Reading through, I had to face the fact that at 72, I may not have the luxury of enjoyment, since I already have 12-16 high to near-high-maintenance, Garden Divas + a female Ginkgo tree to enslave to!!! Â:( ... I have several & love planting, remembrance/memorial plants that are meaningful & symbolic ... my baby brother lived in the Orient all his life ... what more beautiful & symbolic plant than a Bamboo, I thought!!! His name is Henry & July born, so my other choices are a *Clethra-Little Henry* or *Ivory Halo - Cornus Alba* red sticks in Winter (for July)! There were many encouraging Bamboo virtues ... "resiliency" particularly, but for the emotional/sentimental reasons in my search, for a meaningful & symbolic memorial plant, at this stage of my gardening life ... I'll have to forego, Bamboo! Sigh!!! Â:( FWIW ... Enjoy your successes w/ Bamboo plants & to all, Happy Holidays!!! Â;)

MY FRANK WAS A BEAUTIFUL PERSON ALMOST EVERY ONE LOVED HIM I WAS SO SURPRISED ALMOST ALL THE NEIGHBORS KNEW HIM THEY SAID HE WOULD TALK TO EVERY ONE WHO PASSED THE FRONT YARD WHEN HE WAS MOWING THE LAWN OR GARDENING. HE WAS VERY QUITE AND SERIOUS WITH ME BUT SOMETIMES WOULD PLAY AND JOKE WITH ME. I MISS HIM SO MUCH I FEEL AS THOUGH A PART OF MY HEART IS GONE.

"Feel free to use my website" - is your web site free? Posting Instructions: * Before posting a message, make sure you have chosen the most appropriate forum from the list. Off-topic posts will be deleted at our discretion. Please do not post the same message to multiple forums. * You may want to search the forums to see if your question has already been answered by another user. * Since the subject line of your message is indexed for searching, try to include important keywords in the subject. Do not post messages with subject lines in all capitals or consisting of simple subjects like "Help!" * Posting a message is a two step process. You will first have a chance to preview your message and verify its contents. * After posting your message, you may need to reload the forum page in order to see it listed. * HTML codes are allowed in the message field only. * No advertising is allowed in any of the forums. Here is a link that might be useful: Instructions for posting

Thought you might like this Poem I have read at a few funerals for family and friends I have loved and lost. Many people asked me for a copy of the poem as they found it very comforting and so I would like to pass it on to all who grieve. Please feel free to pass it on. Jeanette Things Id Like To Say Some things IÂd like to say But first of all to let you know that I arrived okay. IÂm writing this from Heaven, where I dwell with God above Where thereÂs no more tears or sadness, there is just eternal love. Please do not be unhappy just because IÂm out of sight Remember that IÂm with you every morning, noon and night. That day I had to leave you when my life on Earth was through, God picked me up and hugged me and He whispered, "I welcome you". ItÂs good to have you back again, you were missed while you were gone, As for your dearest family, theyÂll be here later on. I need you here so badly as part of My big plan. ThereÂs so much that we have to do to help our mortal man. Then God gave me a list of things He wished for me to do, And foremost on that list of mine is to watch and care for you. And when youÂre sad, IÂm standing there to wipe away the tears, And when you lie in bed at night, the days chores put to flight, God and I are closest to you in the middle of the night. When you think of my life on Earth and all those loving years, Because youÂre only human they are bound to bring you tears, But do not be afraid to cry, it does relieve the pain, Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain. I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned, But if I were to tell you, you wouldnÂt understand, But one thing is for certain, though my life on Earth is over I am closer to you now than I ever was before. And to my very many friends, trust God knows what is best. IÂm still not far away from you, IÂm just beyond the crest. There are rocky roads ahead of you, and many hills to climb. But together we can do it taking one day at a time. It was always my philosophy and IÂd like it for you too That as you give unto the World so the World will give to you. If you can help somebody who is in sorrow or in pain, Then you can say to God at night "my day was not in vain." And now I am contented that my life it was worthwhile, Knowing as I passed along the way I made somebody smile. So if you meet somebody who is down and feeling low, Just lend a hand to pick him up as on your way you go. When you are walking down the street and youÂve got me on your mind, IÂm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind. And when you feel the gentle breeze or the wind upon your face, ThatÂs me giving you a great big HUG or just a soft embrace. And when itÂs time for you to go from that body to be free, Remember youÂre not going, youÂre coming home to me. And I will always love you from that land way up above. Will be in touch again soon! P.S. GOD sends His Love!