I think part of all this may just be the wheel of Fashion. I live in Northern California, and there seems to be a great deal of interest among young people, especially young families, in growing one's own food. In San Francisco (I don't live there, but I subscribe to their newspaper), the garden pages seem to spend most of their time on that and on Urban Farming,and Going Green. I have no problem with any of those subjects, but there has gotten to be less and less in that paper about the kind of gardening some of the rest of us are interested in. This is all natural, as Fashion is always with us, its object of interest being the only thing that changes. I also think that it is natural that these types of gardening are the focus now - people are concerned about the planet's dwindling resources, climate change and its effects, and corporate irresponsibility. I believe and hope, however, that interest in Old Roses will stay alive, though it may go a bit dormant for awhile. I work as a volunteer at the Historic Rose Garden in the Old Sacramento City Cemetery, and that is certainly a labor of love. We do have a major event every Spring, that being the Open Garden and Rose Sale. It's not a "Rose Show", except in the sense that the whole garden is a wonderful "show". I don't think we indulge in any "one-up-man-ship", as all the roses are of interest to us, although we are, of course, proud of them. People come to that event from miles around, partly to see the garden at its best, and partly to buy the rose plants that are grown from cuttings from some of the garden's own roses, many of which are no longer available commercially. The atmosphere on that day is really wonderful - new people being amazed at the size and beauty of the place, returning people enjoying seeing old rose friends, and everyone just enjoying themselves. AND... of course, a real rush to buy the plant (or plants) you've always wanted! So I remain optimistic -- call me cock-eyed! Laura

This was on the Today show yesterday. I was watching showbiz tonight & they had them doing the dance on the Today show. When I watched the video yesterday my eyes were rolling. When I watched it last night (the Today show version minus wedding attire) and again this morning, I still rolled my eyes. I think that if the song was shortened it may have had a different affect, but it was a bit too long; I wondered how hot, thirsty they all were from dancing up the isle, then running through the hall back to the main door to do it again. I also think if the dancing was a little better it would have made a difference; unless it was supposed to look like a bunch of men that couldn't dance and women that partially could. I give everyone credit for trying to be original but it's getting to be expected to see a choreographed dance at some part of the wedding. Next we will see the bride & her father along with groom & his mother choreographed. I loved my last wedding. Hubby & I went to Cypress Gardens in FL, just the 2 of us. The day was about us.

I decided not to have "Here comes the bride" for the simple fact that it's so traditional and I too think of "here comes the bride, big fat and wide" (LOL) when I hear it. I chose to walk down to "Sheep May Safely Graze" by Bach after listening to a ton of different songs--somthing about it just caught my attention. As we left, we played "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" also by Bach. It too just caught my attention. A really nice book I found is called "Songs for a Christian Wedding." The Christian Musician. Hal-Leonard. There are ~35 songs in the book and even the one's that have words, are really pretty when played by themselves. Springbride04

So very many things I love, big and small. After replying what I did on Trail’s thread, I now want to express my love for a widowed man. A man who, while broken himself, took on the pain of a broken woman and a broken teenager. Who wrapped us both in unconditional love and devotion. Who helped us learn to laugh again, love again, have hope, come out of the darkness. Who has never wavered amidst so much pain shared, nor in the respect of such. Who stood strong beside us when others cruelly let us down. I never thought I could love again, and had no desire to try, but then he came into my life and showed me I can and do.