Thanks folks for the kind response to the thread. I write what I feel when I wander in my garden. June is the best month for the garden here, everything is fresh and new. The first flush of the roses and the new life of the perennials. I went out into the yard this morning and took some images to try to give you an idea of what I see. I don't take photos often because I am a bit of a perfectionist and have to be in the mood to work at it. Same with writing and posting. But I am in the mood this morning, so here we go. On with the show, though it is still a dress rehersal. The real show will be in another week to 2 weeks. Definitely a Diva this spring, the Brownell rose "Orange Ruggles" I have two in pots and I just love the form and colour of her blooms, but this spring she is having a blackspot period even though she has been sprayed. Though she is still a great beauty Saint Cecilia, not usually an overly demanding Diva, but this year she had a rust issue and has required constant attention, leaf picking, spraying and fertilizing. She is feeling much better now and deciding to perform. Teasing Georgia, she is an definite ingenue, a happy healthy young girl who just likes to be watched, told she is pretty and admired. No, not really a Diva, just hard working and talented. The Bard, William Shakespeare 2000, he lives in a pot (condo) and is happy to help make certain that there is a splendid play in the garden. He lives next to his friend The Squire and the two of them together often flirt with the Divas who surround them. Now on to the rest of the support cast and stage crew. I shall start with the most beautiful flower of my garden and not a Diva at all. This is my darling wife Margaret, just home from a twelve hour night shift at the local hospital where she is a nurse in the intensive care unit. Next comes "Reilly da Buddah Boy". His role is to patrol the yard, make sure all is well and bring some extra peace and tranquiltiy to the production. Next, a few of the "Spear Carriers" for Laura. Some Lavenders, Spanish Fox Gloves, and a Salvia The tough Warrior Rose, Redoute with a host of spear carriers, Salvia Blue Hill. The demure and innocent "Prairie Harvest" her first two buds of the season just opening this morning The beautiful Diva from Iowa, "Pearlie Mae", ready for a performance at my garden's Grand Ole Opry. Steve, glad to see you posting again, its been awhile. Glad to hear the Compassion I sent you is performing well in your own show. Florence, I have seen many posts of your garden and your Divas in the past. Especially your Zephrine Droughin on the arch, now there is a Diva rose. It seems to me that your garden is rampant, huge climbers, garden passageways, stories within stories and lots of history. I would describe your garden opera from the little I've seen as Wagnerian, grand opera. And you too my dear are a treasured member of the Antique Rose Forum cast, not a Diva, but perhaps the Grand Dame. Kristin, of course your garden symphony will get better each year. Staging a large production takes time, work and practice. I am sure you have a garden production worth seeing after working on it for quite a few years. My current garden is in its tenth year and I have to do all of the things on your lessons learned list as well. Remember your garden is for you. Working in it and on it is the joy. The pleasure is in wandering through it and watching the ever changing show. Some years the performance will be better than others no matter what you do. But the show must go on and the cast will change, as will the set and the performance. Enjoy your garden. Ingrid, I hope that I have managed to give you a visual taste of my garden opera. I described it in an earlier post this year as Upper Canada Semi Formal and this is it. I would love to be able to visit and see your high desert garden as well. One of these years I plan to make a treck back to California for a visit. I visited often when I was young, though that was long before I was a rosarian or gardener. Thank you all for your vicarious visit to my Rideau Valley Rose Garden opera. Now its your turn. I would love to see photos of some of your Divas and cast and of your garden symphony, opera, or production. Cheers, Rick

Worth showing? I offer you 5-1 odds that it's winning its Aeonium class with honours. I hope you do show it, and you've repotted it into the nice pot (albeit temporarily maybe, perhaps when the pot has a drain hole) - that's a good looking plant, but in truth I've always had a soft spot for pretty legs and 7-letter words, particularly those that have all of the vowels.. This post was edited by cactusmcharris on Sat, Jul 6, 13 at 0:38

It should be cool by then. lol Are you going to start a have and wanted list for the swap, Sylvia? I'd like to start potting things that I know someone wants. I dug up a couple of vitex seedlings the other day.

Thanks so much for your support, everyone. I have to say, this table has been growing on me pretty steadily, and now i'm really loving it. Knowing you all think it looks good in that spot (better than what i had there, yes?) makes me feel all the more confident i should keep it there in the entry. And i admit, i'm also relieved to know i didn't pay too much for it (i just can't bring myself to haggle). Valinsv, thank you so much for posting here. You know how i feel about your room, so your vote of confidence is deeply appreciated. And now i know what color Restore A Finish i should get! Leahcate, i think i know what you're saying about the flipped up table top, but it looks like i'm keeping it under the mirror so it will have to remain closed. I'll definitely post before/after pictures once i work on it. When you see a close up of the current finish, the damage will make you wince. I hope i don't muck it up. Barb5, thank you also for your vote of confidence, and i might as well comment here about the magnificent woodwork you did in your dining room! The fruits of your labor must have you bursting with pride. Well done. Bigdoglover, you're right about the versatility. That does make it so much easier to justify, and your point about having no regrets in the long run is spot on. In this economy, i can't help but to experience a stronger initial sting over what is essentially a purely self indulgent purchase. But already i've gotten over that (with all your help here), and i'm feeling good about it. :) Thanks again everyone. Cheers!