I was hoping to scoot in under the flag before another idyll closes and just made it. Can you tell we've been enduring the Grand Prix races? Mercifully over last weekend. First off, I hope Julie's head is better! I pull that reaching over maneuver with Ein all the time so knew exactly what you were describing. A man Marty works with came off a ship's ladder hard, dropping about 10 feet onto a steel deck unexpectedly, which caused a Bell's palsy on his face. It's a harmless, temporary paralysis, but we were surprised the fall caused it. Maybe your neuro injury to the arm is something similar from internal swelling. Congrats to Michelle for the FG photo, which is no surprise since your perennial borders always knock my socks off. Kathy the Santa-BooBoo (no idea why we call it that) photos of Lotusland and environs are stunning. Congrats to Deanne on the bird photo awards. Not too many more plant losses than the banana hopefully. And going back a bit, congrats to bug's DD on their hockey win, placing No. 1 if I understood the photo correctly. Hockey has stayed on my radar since the Olympics, and our LA Kings are in the playoffs, first time in eight years (playing Vancouver now, best out of 7). For all the rest of us sans awards, hello! It's drizzling right now, so we're getting a little of Kathy's rain. Have never grown it but a big fan of gorgeous asarum. What about bergenia for under the magnolia? There's a movie coming out about babies born round the world, Africa, Japan, U.S., and the different child-rearing practices. Marty was shocked that I want to see it. I'm sure Chelone will run right out to see it too ;>) Ein's developed a cataract in one eye, which corgis are prone to. It's either a cataract or something similar that doesn't impair vision called a sclerosing...something or other. Shocked us all that the little guy is now middle-aged but such is life. Marty finally got a retirement date, May 8th, so it's really happening. He wants a rowing skull for a retirement present. Sounds fine with me. Looking forward to more spring photos and news.

The real Northern European Once Bloomers -- Albas, Gallicas, Centifolias and the rest of the tribe -- won't bloom much here, and the don't live long, either. So I've given up on that form of frustration. And the Asian "once-bloomers" -- the banksiaes, and Fortuniana -- actually repeat a bit through the year. But we also have now a few big old Ramblers, and I don't know what they will eventually do. 'La Fraicheur,' 'Silver Moon,' 'Guadalupe Volunteer.' As the climate changes, we're beginning to get at least a little winter chill, so I'm hoping those Ramblers will someday put on a real big show in the spring. And I'd be remiss if I did not mention 'Indian Love Call,' a once bloomer that simply explodes with bloom for almost 2 months of spring, and follows up with a fall display of colored leaves. Even with a garden full of Evergreen Roses, there are some once-bloomers that fit right in. Jeri

Wow, everyone must still be in a tryptophan coma!! Barbara

Well, I received Margaret's wonderful box today. Thank you Margaret for the wonderful fall items. Margaret sent: A fall motif placemat a light-up pumpkin a scarecrow door hanger another scarecrow figue a pumpkin tealight. 12 apeldorn elite tulip bulbs a cinnamon fern a hot buttered rum candle halloween napkins halloween wind sock hibiscus pattern serving plate and tray Some chocolates that seem to have disappeared but I know they were here :) seeds: aquilegia vulgaris winter squash gourmet pepper Thanks so much, Margaret, I hope things have settled down for you and that life is treating you well. I'm glad you have joined our group! Hope everyone is having a comforting, enjoyable autumn. Things have turned cool here for now. We are having temps in the 30's tonight as well. Stay warm. Theresa