Marvelous -- I get the sense the first garden in this series is a "young" garden where the garden writer is still working on the bones, yet it will be mag one day. The 2nd one is obviously more mature and what I might imagine of a CA garden w/ a mix of "English" plants w/ the more exotic Z9 plantings.... sheesh, what an idea to put a water wheel in one's backyard! Lorepetalum Ch. is marginal here; I'd love to try it but doubt its winter ability -- farther south in VA it's no problem. These gardens are scrumptious. --cindy

before i looked at the pic, i thought it was going to a brown granite. was surprised to see a gray granite. it does have that 'sandy" look on the most of the granite, say 3 quarters of it, but it's not the color of sand. it will make your kitchen feel "cooler" instead of "warmer". what feel are you going for?? if u are going for the cooler feel, than you are on the right track

The cat in the margin at the right that puked in the washer ... was goggle-eyed at the pics (as s/he's been for a couple of days). I enjoyed 'em, too: sort of news to me, as I don't get out much. ole joyful

Hi again Deeby ... my Dad used to say, "Don't let the bastards grind you down!". Also, I heard as a child, "Sticks and stones can break your bones ... but words (and I add "opinions/attitudes) aren't going to hurt you!". Ah - but that earlier advice was wrong ... because they definitely can ... if you let them. When you hear some criticism, give it some thought, and if it's not relevant, discard it. Let it roll like water off of a duck's back. And ... as you get older, it's a good idea to develop a thicker skin. Hope you're still listening. ole joyful