Interesting observations, which elicit several responses....first.....it is truly unfortunate that you were not able to attend prior to Sunday. Having aided in setup of the Show/Sale and attending all day on Saturday, I can confidently say that most of the plants left by Sunday, nice as they were, had been handled by a great many, and so it's quite likely that ID tags/price tags had disappeared, NOT through any action or choice by the sellers, and the IAS members are easily some of the most professional it has been my pleasure to meet....that being said...the plants WERE still at the show....and even on Sunday, a great many of the people circulating the room were some of the world's leading authorities on aroids. If you are shopping anywhere, for anything, and see something you like....and it has no price tag...do you leave without it, or inquire as to the price? It is unfortunate that you chose not to acquire plants that you liked for that reason. In the absence of an inquiry AT the show, please peruse the Aroid-L listings and you will find collectors worldwide acquiring identification of unknown specimens. My suggestion...if you see it...and you LIKE it....BUY IT....the membership of the IAS is always available and willing to assist in identification. Please frequent the website, Aroid-L, and come back to the Show/Sale next year...and don't be shy....we're a very personable group, and will be happy to answer questions.

Jessy, we usually camp near Furnace Creek Ranch, and so we wanted to try a slightly different location, although Furnace Creek is very convenient to the Badlands, Zabriski Point, and Artists' Drive. Stovepipe Wells is closer to Ubehebe Crater and the Racetrack, and I want to go back to the racetrack, possibly at night. I forgot to check the weather, and so it's liable to be in the upper 50s while we are there, and so I will take wetsuits with me to use the swimming pool, in case it is not heated. Colleen, I did a pair of chandeliers for the Royal Palace of Indonesia, and I believe that they went into the Royal Dining Room, in case you get a chance to go there. The finish was hideous - copper plate with copper leaf details - very gaudy IMO. The lamps I did for the Emperor of Japan were much more tasteful. This was all back in the 1990s when I got to see purchase orders. Now I rarely get to find out where my designs are going, although one of my more recent chandeliers went to a royal compound in Saudi Arabia for a prince's bedroom, and I have the CAD drawings for that layout, which I almost never get to see. I have several designs in Las Vegas hotels as well and one hotel in Vancouver, unless they have been replaced. Lars

My brother and wife were celebrating their 40th anniversary a couple of weeks ago. As I married them, I felt that I really should be there. It developed that I was free to go. Left here, 60 miles east of Port Huron, MI, Thursday night after 10. Travelled via Mackinac Bridge, Marquette, Duluth, Grand Forks, Minot, ND then north-west to Regina, Sask., just under 1,600 mi. in 45 hours. Arrived just before the party was to start. Had a great time, their son MCing the show, with many relatives and friends in attendance. Several staying at brother's home. As son (only child) is teaching school and into music, not interested in farming, brother says this is his last year to farm, so the party was for his retirement, as well. Visited some former colleagues who were missionaries in Korea, now retired, and some friends from seminary days (over 50 years ago). Also former brother-in-law, now remarried to long-term friend who recently was widowed. Something like 3,500 miles in about 10 days - so spent quite a bit of time in the car. When I went to buy travel medical insurance for coverage in the U.S., application had about a dozen questions relative to heart, gastric trouble, cancer, AIDS, , chronic illness, regular taking pills, doctor visits, etc. The lady looked at me and said, "There are very few people over 70 who can answer 'No' to all of those questions". I said that, having been a clergyperson for a number of years, I've known many people who have suffered illness and death at young ages, so know how fortunate that I am to enjoy good health - and am properly thankful for my good fortune. Though I grew up on a farm here in Ontario, I lived for a few years on the Prairies and find those wide open spaces and huge skies attractive. With wide expanses of grain, moving in the (almost incessant) wind so that they look a bit like waves on the ocean. Arrived back home in time for a day-long investment seminar, sponsored by a magazine that carries no advertising. Tonight visited a meeting of subscribers of the same magazine, about 20 people meet monthly to discuss investments for a couple of hours. The past two weeks have been really great. Hope you can find time for a memorable fall vacation, as well. ole joyful

Lascatx, Yes, the WHO map says the entire US is "Highly suitable" to the spread of Zika. Not a drop of Canada though. Those border patrol people must be imposing! Texan, Jimmy Fallon was talking about the historic "first flight" on Jetblue and said the people couldn't get over the third world conditions. And then they disembarked. LOL. I know several people who have been to Cuba, and the conclusion is this: you will pay 5 star prices for a 3 star experience, maybe 4 if you get lucky here and there. One has to weigh that against seeing it "unspoilt", since it will take a long time to get a reliable 5-star infrastructure. I know many people who had great experiences in the "people to people" trip aspects, and that is the primary reason to go to Cuba. I thought a cruise was a good way to circumvent the tourism infrastructure limitations (things like poor quality beds and food, lack of hot water) but the cruise, as I said, is still working out the kinks.