For those who did actually receive the potato seeds, you might want to check out a thread at The Vegetable Forum where I asked about growing potatoes from seed. In a nutshell, one should not expect edible potatoes the first season from the plants grown from seeds. They will produce small tubers (potatoes) that will then be suitable for growing into plants next year. After several replies I posted: I have deduced then that one should not expect good tasting eating potatoes from the plants grown from seed. What one can expect are potatoes that are suitable then for next years 'seed potatoes'. I'm left wondering how the average 'Joe or Josephine/ homeowner' can then overwinter the seed potatoes until planting time the next year in my zone, or any other zone. At my house, kept dark and cool, they would likely either rot, or wither up to nothing during the many months between fall harvest and spring planting time. Did I deduce things correctly/incorrectly? Additional thoughts? To that another member replied: You have it right, Sue. It's shriveling you need to prevent. Potatoes need to be stored in darkness at cool temperature and high humidity. IIRC, about 40ðF and 90% R.H. Some kinds store better than others. Leaving them in the ground is a possibility if they are kept from freezing by mulching heavily. I've had potatoes which I missed harvesting grow the next year. I know I can't overwinter store bought taters, so would not even consider trying to keep seed potato tubers all those winter months here. I guess in 'some' areas and instances though they could indeed be overwintered in the ground. Sue Here is a link that might be useful: Growing potatoes from seed?

OH Kathy, From one spiney to another, I can sure understand the frustration, pain and limitations you are having since the surgery. It sounds like you really need to get another opinion from another spine surgeon. Your present one has obviously given up on you. His view is something like, I did my job, you healed from that, the surgery was a success and it's not my fault that you have all these problems. All of that may be true, but his answers aren't helping you out. A fresh set of eyes on everything, including the new MRI that you are getting tonight, may very well show something, and an EMG, though it can be somewhat painful, can also provide some answers as well. When a doctor "gives up" on a patient, it's time for the patient to take hold of the situation and find another doctor, get another opinion, even more than one and see what is going on. In the mean time, don't give up. I've seen too many spine patients that where told the same kind of thing by the spine surgeons, went on to find a new one and did get help, the help that they needed. You're in my prayers and e-mail me through GW anytime. We can comiserate together about our spines, rotten spines that they are. Fran

Kathy, I have 2 incognito, and might get another. It is my absolute favorite rose. Both of mine want to bloom mostly in sprays, but it is easy enough to finger prune off the side buds to get the single bloom. They are usually the first to leaf out. The only issue is that it can blow open quickly, but sometimes not. I haven't figured it out yet. When I want one to open for a show, it never does... And to kinda keep this in the "gallery" theme, this is my oldest Incognito, right before first flush in 2005... Yes, that is one plant.

Thank you all for the wonderful wishes! Cliff and I have very much enjoyed reading all of them! And he, like I did, thought it was a wonderfully amazing thing that you all thought to do this for me! Updates- JJ's graduation went off wonderfully. My first ex-husband and his wife came up for it and are now (thankfully) gone back home. My foster daughter, Charlene, who is actually his sister that I've raised for 21 years, decided to move back with them to be nearer her mother, who's in bad health. It was rough, but I know she'll be happier. :) Wedding plans- Well, this week I'm cooking the food- grilled chicken, potato salad, the cakes. Other family members are handling the brisket, BBQ sauces, baked beans and coleslaw and drinks. So, for the rest of this week, I'll be mostly MIA. Everything is going wonderfully! It's all coming together, aside for the 30 % chance of rain they're calling for :( So, everyone keep your fingers crossed! 70 people in my almost mother in law's house would be a tight fit despite that it's a large house! Neither Cliff nor I are having any nerves. We're both getting really excited, which we didn't really expect because we already consider ourselves married :) I have a few last minute errands to do, like finding my 10 yr old's cowboy boots. Oddly, I'm having trouble finding a youth size 5 for him- in Oklahoma! We're testing the hairstyle I've chosen tomorrow :) Family members are starting to make it in. Cliff's sister Heather and her husband got here Sunday and I finally got to meet the woman I've been emailing and IMing with for the last few months. We're going to be really good friends, I think :) We'll be at Cliff's Mom's friday to get the bulk of the decorations done, then everyone's going out for a combined party, to have a few drinks and enjoy adult time without children. It's gonna be an early night so that we can all be up early Saturday to put the finishing touches on the decorations. Four more days! Oh, and my email is changing! It will be kathyl.walker@yahoo.com For those that keep that on record. I'll continue checking the kathyrankin@yahoo.com one for a while, though :) Kathy