I spent ALL DAY out shopping for my pal. Of course, along the way, I couldn't help but look for things I liked, too. I was in one big box store, in the garden section, bent over in front of the citrus trees and looking at the tags even though I knew I wasn't going to pay that much for a little tree. It was very hot and humid. Lady who cares for plants was watering a few isles down. Next thing I knew, she had sprayed (make that drenched) me, right on my upturned backside. She was squealing how sorry she was. I just thanked her for the cool down. Of course, I had to stay out there in the garden center awhile longer 'til I could leave w/o people thinking that I'd wet myself. And I don't even own an "I'm Hot" T-shirt. How'd she know I'd appreci8 a cool down?

Hi all, I am back from New Mexico, it was awesome. Rained there every evening too! (not a drop hit the ground here at home though!) Days were in the 100's (dry heat though, loved it) and nights were in the 60's. It was just me and a great friend of mine, Kimmie. Her sister was there for a couple of days. Kimmie's GM has land there and a house in Logan, NM. (GM passed 2 yrs ago) No phone, no kids/hubbies, only tv were movies we wanted to watch. We spent time on the Ute Lake and just doing nothing all day long! Came home with a great tan and sumburned lips (forgot to take my lip balm). We plan on going back up there in August (just Kimmie, her mom, her daughter and me) then again in Sept. (Kimmie/her hubbie and me and Fox). I go to the Neurosurgeon tomorrow so ya'll plz keep me in your thoughts and prayers. While I was gone a wonderful package from Jeanne arrived. I was soo tickled when I got home. Jeanne sent me these wonderful seeds.. Radish "Pink Beauty" (I have never grown radish's before!) Pink Malva Pink Foxgloves (just love these, must be the name eh?) Red Fig Tomatoes (cant wait for these, I am a tomato freak!) Red Bull's Blood Beets (never grown beets before but I love beets!!!) Red Popper Peppers (mmmm say the guys!) Jeanne also sent some Pink Gardening gloves that I have already used pulling weeds from my new south bed. The weeds seemed to take over while I was gone. Fox did the watering for me but he just didn't water like I do so I pretty much lost my veggie garden. A couple: ... squash plants, eggplant plants, pepper plants, tomatoes, cukes, and my gourds survived. I also have a pair of cardinals nesting in amongest my gourds on my gourd frame. They took advantage of me being gone also I guess but there is no way I will make them move as Cardinals are my FAV birds! Jeanne thank you for the wonderful seeds you sent. I won't be planting anything until the drought is broken here but I do plan to have a great Fall garden and these seeds are going to be in it! Thank you soo much. My package to you will go out this week. The trip to NM was a spur of the minute thing so I didn't have time to think right before I left. I hope everyone has had a great weekend! Smugs, Pixie

How exciting, caroline! When I'm lucky enough to see the actual fledging of baby bluebirds here, I'm sure angels are singing. Everything has been later than usual here this season. It stayed cool much later than usual and the summer hasn't been as hot as it usually is. Suits me, though, I'm not complaining!

McMann...Purple Martins will lay from 4-8 eggs; 5-6 being the norm. The bigger and better their nesting cavity, the more eggs they'll lay and the more chicks they'll fledge. I offer "Supergourds" from the PMCA. They're 10-inches in diameter. Yes, they'll fledge at about 28 days old. They may, or may not, hang around for a week or so and then they'll prepare for the migration. They fly along with their parents and join large "roosts" of other PMs. They'll form larger and larger colonies until they're ready to set off for some serious travel. Purple Martins in Florida, Texas, and other southern areas have already started their migration. Each fall they fly back to Brazil where they overwinter, molt, eat, and generally just "be birds." They do not breed or nest there. In the spring they'll migrate back to the area close to where they hatched and start a new breeding season. My little guys will go to Brazil and back by next spring. I hope to get them banded so I'll know if they come back to this same spot. It's a complicated process and so far I've not found a licensed bander. Here is a link that might be useful: Learn more about Purple Martin conservation here!