Good morning. We were off to an early start here this morning. The Magnolia is in its new site! and we really like it, it blocks the main portion of what used to be the old driveway entrance. I took too many pictures of the operation, but the battery konked out before I could get the final one (recharging as I type). We did quite a number on the root "ball", but it will probably be OK even if it does "blink" a bit for the first year in the new place. "NIT", indeed, PM2. :) I rather like the idea of an Idyll Summer Camp; in fact, I think it's perfectly brilliant. Whaddya think, we use the Salon as the bunkhouse, take "Navy showers", and set up "arts and crafts" in the automobile bays, cooking our meals over the grill? Kathy, the picture of the Idyll Moon really touched me. I've been thinking about that Hopi prayer and the great comfort derived from the simplest things that remain constant the world over regardless of how downtrodden we feel at any given moment. I heard that there was a Dodger no-hitter, but not paying much attention to teams other than the Red Sox... well... . But I agree, it's really quite an accomplishment, exciting the same way a 1-0 hockey game is; good defense! The helpmeet tells me Manny is deliverin' the goods for you. He added that the dreds are as yet unpruned... which cracks me up. "Manny bein' Manny"; he's very talented and let's hope LA suits him better than Boston, that's what will define a "good" trade. Marian, you have a handsome family! the girls are looking so grown up, you must be very proud of them. The clock is handsome, the helpmeet was shocked when I sent the works of our tall case clock out to be cleaned, oiled, adjusted. But periodic maintenance is required for them to operate reliably. When the works were gone we found ourselves looking to the empty bonnet nearly daily to check the time! We have only one "plug in" clock in the house. As for two towels/girl, that's easy! one for the lovely long hair, the other for the body. We use our towels for nearly a week here. He has his, I have mine, we are clean when they're put to task, and we hang them to dry out in between uses. We know where the towels have been and neither of us has a problem with reusing them. I'm sorry you've managed to provide housing for some sort of bug... hope it decides to move "out" soon. I especially appreciate your oil lamps. I asked for one for Christmas in 1999 and received a brass Aladdin desk lamp. Whenever the electricity goes out it's nice to have good, reliable light so we may read. There are several in THTTF that were in regular use by my great-grandparents. I need to put them in the car the next time I am there. And lastly (before I foget again) I am sorry to hear about Calliecat. Dad didn't cry very often but the tears flowed freely when one of the pride was delivered to the "happy hunting ground". Nolon did the right thing, but that is cold comfort when the one delivered is gone forever. :( Good to see Wendy "poop" in for a quick visit. Too bad she had to go when "dooty" called. (couldn't pass that one up, sorry). I laughed and laughed at the tale of the Jr. Executive, that's just too funny. Shades of Alex Keaton, huh? The notion that Staples would rank highly as a retail destination slays me; BUT, when my brother was that age he insisted on drawing electrical cords and outlets in every picture he drew involving an indoor scene. I meant to ask about the dry stream bed you posted, Ei. Did you design it to be dry or did you put it there to handle any excess rainfall? I see them used in and around my area and I always wonder what precautions are taken to prevent opportunistic plants from setting up camp and making it "home", landscape fabric? plastic? I really like the effect in your garden, and clearly it was useful last weekend! I also wanted to mention how nice it is to see Norma, again. I forget that DSL and cable internet is not available in many parts of the country. Northern New England, for one! and it's becoming a huge bone of contention because lack of it precludes those areas with people LOOKING for work from being able to participate. It's the same old story from the fewer and fewer companies providing the missing services... "it's not worth the investment". OK... I thought "deregulation" was going to create more competition and open up unheralded realms of opportunity... . (haven't seen my 'phone bill go down since they broke up Ma Bell). Anyway, I sympathize. ;) And I hope the new set-up sees you posting more often. Your gardens are so pretty and I love your pond. T., you've popped into my thoughts periodically as I've been scratching away on the shrub border. I've gone from being completely discouraged by the chaos, to wondering about the finer details of it all, and all in the space of about a month. Getting started was the hardest part. It also dawned on me that you have to contend with the possibility of Elk damage if they break through your "defenses", too, huh? I drove by a house the other day that had a MEGA stroller out front. It was for triplets, one seat in front of another and I marvelled at the forethought and dexterity required to manoeuver that sucker in "traffic". WOW. I think the battery is back "on line" so I'll see if I can't finish up the photo essay. Later!

Saturday and alls well, went to work at 6 this morning(had to drive an hour away) and got back home about 3:30. Not to bad for an inventory day. Tomorrow I go back but probably will only be a ½ day situation. V, my best wishes to your Cubs. Ive always had a soft spot for them and will most likely root for them in the playoffs . Bet the poor old Brewskies though they had it dialed into after holding the lead for most of the season. What strength of character you show Denise-resisting the urge to pilfer an agave pup. I would suspect that no one at that shopping center gives a rats a*** for that agave and that your theft would go unnoticed-however you didnt hear it from me ! (Betcha if you called the property manager you could get permission !) Well, I must say that even at my worst I never caught my hair on fire lol ! I did have my share of experiences in and around Sunset Blvd though. Do you remember Wallachs Music City on Sunset and Vine??? I will be sure to take the Idylls house-hunting with me ! Hey , did you ask about noisettes? The only one I have right now is Boule de Neige , and will absolutely have Madame Alfred Carriere one day. If I had to pick. Mme Alfred would win the day. Martie, I have Star of Yelta which is quite similar to Grandpa Ott, and it re-seeds like mad. This year I was not diligent enough in my thinning and it has engulfed Sombrieuil and one of my Rudbeckias. I agree that I need to be careful with how I spend my house sale prep bucks. My house will list in the 675k range. 2 to 5k is a drop in the bucket. I expect to spend 10, mostly in plumbing issues and kitchen and window upgrades. Hiya Brenda-glad you checked in..sounds like you are a busy lady-its that harvest thing. The harvest season is quite intense here in Napa, and the company I work for furnishes many supplies to the vineyard folk. Eden, Im all for Reed listening to Cinderella , especially the Rogers and Hammerstein version- I did not discriminate gender wise and my son is even more into show tunes now than DD. When we did car trips in their younger days the soundtracks were a great way to keep them entertained. Oklahoma was definitely a favorite ! The address for Creepy Guy has been sent. I am pondering his visit . (oh, and my kids were also very fond of a video I taped of Sweeney Todd with Angela in her glory-I edited out the gory stuff. !) Ok everyone, I have some chores to do and some baseball to watch. Catch yall later ! Kathy in Napa

Hey everyone, I am really sorry for not being around at the end of the swap, I got hit real hard with the flu on Christmas Eve, it went into bronchitis/pnemonia which today is the first Ive been up and around... and ontop I am having some problems with a nerve in my neck that runs into my face. Looks like surgery is ahead for me.. I appreciate you ALL joining the swap, and look forward to next Christmas !! Happy Spring growing to you ALL :) Also, just want to mention I am on FB if anyone would like to keep in touch over the year ...under Kym Fullen Amaral.

Darlene, I'd love elephant ear if you still have some (or one). Here's my list that I hope is correct; if not, please let me know. for cheryl 5 roses & an apple mint from cheryl pots & maybe a hydrangea or cutting for brenda cashmere bouquet & chocolate mint for armbarangel I found a hot pink salvia greggi. from armbarangel century plants for darlene, cashmere bouquet & mints from darlene st john's wort & elephant ear if you have enough for ruth salvia black & blue from ruth cannas for running gardener 4 o'clocks & pigeonberry from running gardener bay tree & boneset for mike pigeonberry from mike daffs & iris for dorothy ornamental grass from dorothy red yucca for sigrid? from sigrid brownies & lavender iris for butterflyfan 4 o'clocks, apple mint, turk's cap, salvia B&B from butterflyfan frogfruit, fennel, passionflower, rue I hit the jackpot on ornamental grasses & will bring some of those as well as the phlox, Indian Chief irises, lemon mint, peppermint, apple mint, & miscellaneous stuff. will bring a "prize", hope we have enough participation! (but if we don't, I got stuff I like!) Get your plants watered & sorted & go to bed early tonight so you'll be bright-eyed tomorrow, & remember your Sharpies, notepads, & your little red wagon if you have one!