A pre-dawn foliage tour of Marian's Ozarks has been a most pleasant way to start my Saturday. It's beautiful! There are two Ginkos in the park I pass daily on my way to and from work. One is a female and last year I collected some of the fruit to get a whiff of it. It smelled vaguely of vomit, as I recall, but wasn't overpowering. Anyway, they are still sporting their yellow finery but should do the "drop" thing in a week/two. I CAN tell you, however, that because of the fruit fewer and fewer female trees are being planted and that trend is now causing alarm with respect to the loss of genetic diversity within the species. Interesting how "housekeeping" can affect a tree as ancient as a Ginko, huh? Snakes don't bother me too much, either, Marian. I do the "squeal and dance" if I'm startled by one, but invariably have to have a looky-see and will quite often pick it up to have a closer look and remind myself that they really are pretty harmless. Although the Timber Rattler CAN range into this area the odds of encountering one are pretty meagre. The way I see it, they're here for a reason, too, and there's plenty of room for both of us on the Compound. Live and let live is our motto. Thanks again for the lovely tour, what a treat. :)

As a newbie just receiving seeds back from my first ever swap...I am completely overwhelmed and so filled with gratitude at the generosity of you all. Nearly every seed that I had ever dreamed of acquiring arrived in my package, and then some! Tomatoes, beans, cardinal flower, monarda, herbs,cream of sask watermelon, I could go on and on. (because that was one big package of JOY) Going to be a tough act for the man in the red and white suit to follow on the 25th, my morning on the 7th is off the charts!!!! Thank you all so much! Nicky wasn't kidding when she told me to start planning a new garden bed, now I will have to!

Hi all, Susan your seeds went out today. The DC# is0310 3490 0002 1403 5847. By Monday I would check this out and see how close your package is. I had forgotten that tomorrow is Veterans Day and everything will be closed...government that is. One more day at home and then the office wants me to come back for a few days again. I still have lots to do around here. I started to clean the basement but then got distracted and haven't gotten back to it. Oh well thats the way it goes. Ellie

surprised the AFClem died due to a hard pruning.. maybe it will still come back ... depending where you are.. and how far along spring is ... i dont know why you can mix and match you clems ... it might be stunning ... you wont know.. until you try it ... ken