Here's a word that may spawn some discussion: Cultivar, a cultivated variety. Sounds simple enough, but what is it exactly? The definition doesn't seem to be fixed. A variety is "a subdivision of a species having a distinct though often inconspicuous difference, and breeding true to that difference. More generally refers to clones." There was a question about a serviceberry on the Shrubs Forum recently, and someone who posted on this thread said that a named variety may not be a clone but rather a selection from a whole similiar collection of plants, which could fit the definition of a cultivated variety, if those plants breed true. However, I thought this was rather confusing. For example, if I bought the sweetshrub "Athens", I would expect it to be a clone of the same plant that Mrs. Symmes introduced to Michael Dirr, or at least have all of the same attributes that the plant is valued for. I would not be happy with a green-flowered plant with no fragrance for example (which is what I got when I bought an "Athens").

Back to interior design and verbs used as nouns... "draperies drape" and "that fabric drapes the wrong way". Drapes is a verb. Drapes is both a noun and a verb. Maybe it started out as a verb only but through usage became a noun as well? It used to bother me when people used the word "loan" as a verb. The verb is lend, the noun is loan. Till I found out that loan IS a verb as well.... I hate it when my illusions are shattered! :) Here is a link that might be useful: drapes

No never been hacked. Birthday and address information is not private it is legally available as is much more information from public records. Doing online searches with some of the more in depth specific search engines will give up a lot of information all obtained from public records legally. I decided to do a FREE online search for a friend we had lost touch with so we could make contact. Within an hour I had his phone number, address, that he had gotten a divorce, that his father had passed away, that he had to rebuild his father's house because it had been hit by a tornado and that he and his brother were now living there. Plus a lot more. It was amazing I had no idea it was so easy and I would find out so much. Then I was able to use Google maps earth to view the house they had rebuilt. I had been to his parents home years ago so I knew the vicinity but I now had the exact address. I saw a large motorhome parked at the house. So I called him and he was thrilled to be back in touch with us. I said let me ask you about what has been going on in your life. I proceeded to list all this information and he was blown away. He thought sure I had talked to a mutual friend that knew that. I had no negative or nefarious intentions for getting the information but just imagine if it was someone who did. All I wanted was a phone number! I of course then tried it on myself and did find all my former and current addresses and phone numbers and my husbands employment. But that was it. I guess I don't have anything interesting going on. On a more somber note I did a search for one of my very good friends that I lost touch with when we moved and changed phone number and she also changed phone number. I found her obituary. I thought it could not possibly be her. I started calling every phone number I had for anyone who might know. It was her unfortunately. It was and still is devastating to know she died so young and I had no idea. You never know what you might find.

Oh, I even forgot about haiku. That language's totally amazing! Maybe one day and I'm gonna start learning it as the Portuguese. It changed my daily routine. I had to attend a particular course until I found these basic words in portuguese. I'm glad that I didn't miss that opportunity and took it. Right now, I'm at a reasonable level, and I can start talking free in portuguese. One year of work is worth it.