Good evening! It's 86 F. and the mosquitoes had a nice dinner on me - literally! I have bites on my face and on my hands and knees. All the fun spots that I can't resist scratching in my sleep. Donna, I'm so sorry for all you're going through. Be strong and post more often for lots of (((hugs))). Jan, I have severe osteoporosis and have been on Fosamax for 6 years with good results. I'll never be perfect, but my bones are stronger than they were at 55. I also take two calcium tabs every night before bed. Raeanne, I really hope my son loves this birthday gift. In the last few years, I've taken the safe way out and just gone with a GC. And, I didn't make it to Dallas after Christmas this past year, so my sister and decided to just wait until this weekend to exchange gifts. I don't usually wait quite this long! Still lots of packing to do. I keep thinking of things like sheets and spring rods to take to my Dson for when they move into their new home in late August. That's what I used until we got our window coverings, and it was helpful. I also need to take Alexis's (9 yr. old DGD) books to her that she forgot last visit. I haven't seen her in a month, and I really am excited to see her tomorrow night when she flies in from AL and visiting my xh and his wife. Guess I'd better get back to it because experience has taught me that nobody else is going to do my packing for me! Have a great rest of the week!

I am reading "A Vintage Murder" by Michelle Scott -- a fun little mystery series set mostly in Napa/Sonoma wine country. In this particular issue the characters are visiting Australian wine country. In the books, you learn a little bit about wine & food pairings along the way, along with a recipe or two. Next up is "The Ghost Orchid" by Carol Goodman -- I discovered her recently and absolutely loved "The Seduction of Water" and "The Drowning Tree".

Congratulations to Cryptid for the poetry contest!! Thanks to everyone who took the time to vote. Darrin, please pick 10 packs from my trade list and email me your choices. For our two runners up, gardener365 and blossombrigade, please pick 3 packs from my trade list and email me your choices. Thanks to everyone who participated! Holy Cow! Wow! I actually won?! What a great day this day has been,...I even found a quarter on the ground when Elly & I were out grocery shopping! Thank you so very much, everyone! This is definitely a first for me regarding GardenWeb themed swaps. But more importantly, as did Erica, I totally likewise thank my fellow participants for their excellent entries as well! - Again,...Wow!

So all of mine did survive. I can't comment on lady in red since I put her in cold storage for the winter as she was still in a pot. Cinco de Mayo had some Kane death but not a lot. Violets Pride had more and I would not recommend her for zone 5. Chec ching and All My Loving were killed all the way back but they are growing now. Oh, probably not the best roses for zone 5 . I did not lose any but those last two were the most tender by far oh, but they were also the two I would never have bought if not for the sale and I did appreciate their Sherry intensity when they bloomed. A bit disappointed in violets Pride because I had expected her to be somewhat Hardy. Still I think she's a bigger is grower and we'll rebound and that the all look good in the end. I ordered another Cinco de Mayo so hopefully that one will be as vigorous as the one last year which group quite large in one season. I sure wish they'd have another sale or one of the other Rose places.