Inga, again, so many thanks! It's really too bad that Kansas doesn't plant the European Bird Cherry instead of the terrible Bradford pear which stinks like rotting plastic. The fragrance is wonderful and it's just as "showy" and as fast a grower as a Bradford. Or at least people should plant more beautiful crabapples. Both plants attract beneficial pollinators. Jaxondel, I've had my house since 2007, but gardened for the first time in 2009. I had no interest in gardening whatsoever, so I've always been "blind" to Nature's incredible beauty, too busy pulling all-nighters at work, being a workaholic, etc. We get very little biodiversity in my neighborhood, but last year I saw 3 sightings of a cardinal in my neighborhood. My dad is the direct opposite of me. He has always loved nature, organics and birdlife. His yard is filled with beautiful birds that none of his surrounding neighbors have. Well, yeah, I've not had birds go crazy with that tree yet. Must be my location, lol! But maybe with the combinations of my holly bushes and the tree they'll come. I have a 2010 Toyota Camry hybrid that has an sea greenish/blueish color to it that birds love to target more than any other car, I suppose because it is such a reflective waterlike color, so yes, I would notice if it got "bombed" hehe! But I will look for the berries for sure this year and hope to catch sight of some cool birds! By the way, Sanrosa, such beautiful, beautiful cacti!!! I was looking admiring your lovely garden with the roses, but wowwwwwwww! The blooming cacti is STUNNING. I've always loved cacti's unique comical shapes- very whimsical and fun but those flowers are a DREAM! Even if it's not roses please post the cacti too whenever you can! We pride the Rose Gallery in being a place for Tea and company! People have their cats, their pets, Boxo has had his fluffy Pom poms and the koi/water lilies, there's been bees here and all kinds of fun stuff. And Renee's lovely boy was here too and Rosemeadow's lovely daughter holding up a flower. Kids and gardens make great photos. Cheers, everyone! And Happy Mother's Day to all you Mothers out there. Yesterday was my border collie's birthday- Eluane got birthday candles on her pork tenderloin/tomato cake...I got the evening bday cake on video James had to help me with that. But unfortunately this year was so hot, it was impossible to stop her from panting in the daytime shots so this year's photos weren't as nice as last year. Garden shot was at my home church's little side chapel. Here is the famous Ward Parkway stretch with the classic homes and lots of big flowering trees. No European bird cherries but similar more romantic flowering ones like dogwood, more rare magnolias- style of gardens is classical unlike newer suburbia with generic bloomers like the Bradford pear. Still can't see roses here, maybe too much shade with the very old large trees. Next time I'll take more photos of ward Parkway. My home church is very beautiful and is all stone and is at Ward Parkway.

Well, you guys have been having fun! I just love the feel of Chanel products, and I generally trust their colors, too. It is a lot of hassle to "put on your face" but who doesn't look better? I agree the eyes are the trickiest part. I had make up done professionally several times, often for bright lighting situations and I am always aghast at how much eyeliner and mascara is used. It looks terrific but it makes one so self-conscious. Not to mention, if it is not done perfectly, it does veer from terrific to horrific pdq. I would also recommend Bobbi Brown, for a daytime look. Very subtle. SueB. save your lipstick for evening. I don't think, for health reasons, you can take back anything that has been touched.

Pretty sure I've had a few too many cakes already! Oh, nuts! I was going to put the panko crumbs on the tuna and noodles last time and I forgot! They were quite yummy and I need to remember I have them instead of going on auto pilot when I make the same thing I've been making for 45 years. If there's a downside to a new kitchen it's the attraction of working in it all the time. If I don't quit eating the evidence I'll be in a 9 by summer. Some mornings I come real close to laying on the bed.

I went to the dermatologist last week (which is why I had to return to L.A.) for a melanoma follow-up. This was a six month follow-up, and I was supposed to go in for a three month follow-up, but I was stranded in Cathedral City. My doctor agreed that it was okay that I waited the six months, but he told me to come back in three months. He did have to freeze something on my scalp, and it seems like he always finds something, and so this is an issue I have to deal with on a regular basis. The melanoma I had removed six months ago resulted in a number of stitches on my back, but it healed very well. I avoided the sun when I was a child and never sun-bathed until I was in my 20s in San Francisco, and then only for short periods of time, as I got bored very easily. However, I did go to Mexico every winter from 1975 until 1984 while I lived in San Francisco (and spent one to two months there - generally Jan - Feb) to avoid the cold damp winters of SF and the resulting sinus infections that I was prone to there. While I avoided sinus infections by going to Mexico for the winters, I may have exposed myself to too much sun, although I did wear sunscreen. I don't think sunscreen in the 1970s was strong enough, however, and I did not want to wear it when I went snorkeling in Cozumel. I am still putting off going to the dentist, as I think I am doing a decent enough job of cleaning my own teeth, and I do not think it is worth the risk. I will go back once I am able to get a Covid vaccination. My temperature, as taken at the dermatologist's office, was 97.1°, and so I am like Maifleur in that I may have a fever when my temperature is 98.6°, but I've noticed that my temperature varies throughout the day and is higher after I've been in the spa.