Ben - no, HK is in the tropics (just) and the summers are hot and humid, while the winters are sometimes coldish, but never down to freezing - 10 degrees or so (Celsius) minimum. Donna - the sonatinis are new to me. I have another called Marrakech, which produced leaves but no flowers. Yes, it's nice to sit on the rooftop in April and enjoy the blooms, and I can't resist the temptation to pollinate more and more, even though I have no more space to plant any. So this year's pods are a bit redundant and I should give some away if anyone wants them, especially the deep red crosses which produce seed so well. I'll open another thread and offer some around.

Well, I LOVE them ALLL. I have to say there is not a one that I wouldn't mind having. I do have to say that Color Glory done very will for me as all the others did (SO FAR). And, yes there are some that aren't as pretty as other but I tend to find something that I like about every hosta that I have. So, if I had to pick one it would be Frances Williams. She is an awesome hosta - doesn't burn for me looks great! She tends to stay for a couple years and leaves me. I HAD Colory Glory which was beautiful until the stinking, no good for nothing VOLES had it for a midnight snack along with Spilt Milk, Independence and countless other. OH and Thunder Bolt. Boy, I was MAD on that one. I do agree that hosta loves what it loves and they can tend to be spoilt. Anyway, I also have a question. Have any of you tried the Castor Oil remedy for VOLES?

Hi Joanne, I am so sorry about the loss of your mother. I could have written your post a little more than three years ago. My mom had the same symptoms as your mom. She kept complaining about shoulder pain for months and even went for ortho surgery on her shoulder. After that she still didn't get better and her appetite was non-existent. When she was hospitalized for shortness of breath, the ER doctor ran a CT and found a mass in her lung. She was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer and passed away 3 weeks after her diagnosis. I wrote all this to tell you to be careful about your grief. I went thru a very hard time after my mother's death. I think part of the reason was the suddeness of her loss and being caught totally off guard and the guilt that I didn't realize how sick she was. My complicated grief evolved into a severe depression. I too tried to go through daily activities such as work, shopping, etc., but 6 months later I only felt more devestated and sad. I sought the help of a grief couselor who recogized the symptoms were more than just grief.You don't have to wait until you find you can't deal with it to get help. I believe a grief couselor is always helpful to guide you through a severe life trama that can result from losing a loved one. It will always be hard but you do get stronger and the joy will come back to your life. That's hard for you to believe but it will. I will keep you and your boys in my prayers. Hugs, Barbara

Oh heck yeah. I guess I look at friendship differently than a lot of people. Just because I've known someone a long time does not make them a friend. If someone craps on me, they're not my friend. Of course they get chances, but probably my closest friend and I have not spoken for some time. He got into a variation of a cult and I can't, rather won't deal with it. I've given him chance after chance and warning after warning but more of the drivel about politics and probably direct quotes from Fox "News". For a while, I'd prove him wrong and laugh in his face. I asked if he had the opportunity to choose the flavor of the Flavor Aid he's going to drink. I'd reply with videos of his diety du jour and prove him wrong but he'd continue to spout the rhetoric. I suspect much was an enticement to an argument. He loves a good debate. I like an intelligent discussion and don't mind if there's disagreement, that can make for a good debate. But there's limits. I finally had to go no holds barred and then he got all upset, asking why I was attacking him and insulting him. Well, I'm getting off track here, but people change. Interests change. And just because you don't see someone doesn't mean they're not a friend. Life is full of acquaintances, some closer than others and all subject to change. I think too many people are hung up on having "friends" and/or worry about losing them, rather than having quality, or at least non-toxic relationships with people. Life doesn't have to be a bowl of cherries, you can disagree with a friend and still be friends. But "friend" is more than a word to me.