I suppose that it does become difficult to separate seedlings from their parents if they look more or less identical, even if you want to maintain clonal purity... :-) I hadn't thought that one through. It does seem that there is at least more potential for variation and eventual change in a variety's character through hybridization, even if selfed seedlings always come true. Along those lines, I would have to wonder if Millet's improvements could actually have been the result of hybridization rather than simple genetic variation - I guess we need more graduate students interested in violets to figure it out! At least seed generation probably helps to rid the genome of things like viruses and perhaps phytoplasmas, so it is certainly a good idea for a rather disease-susceptible plant such as the violet to be able to at least produce clonal (or nearly so) seed. If my double violet only could perform this simple task, it wouldn't be in such danger of being lost now! No doubt this is equally a failing in the Parmas, and just one more reason to try our hardest to raise new varieties from seed. Stefan

Mary, what a way to 'take lemons and make lemonade'! I hope those ladies appreciate how you went above and beyond to ensure that they had a beautiful quilt to auction. And you sure put that together quickly! I really felt for you as you went through your saga with the one originally intended for the auction. What a great gift you are taking back for them. (I bet there will be at least one that will want to auction off both quilts!)

kswl it is good to share- even chairs. lol I think from my internet research that the chair dates maybe from the 1850's. It has springs and the castors are porcelain. I can't find any Internet images of chairs like it, but I found two that had some of the same design elements and they dated 1858. I hope it is not sacrilegious to have covered the seat in teal fabric. :) I used the same fabric to add some teal stripes to some of my couch pillows. I don't think I am a good decorator but it was fun.

The money all goes back into the community. Last year we bought hams for 15 families in need. Donated to the school toy drive,helped our local volunteer fire department with gift giving and others. A young mother with 3 children had her home burn yesterday so we are going to help get the children clothes. We do so many things. In December we go to our two local nursing homes and wrap gifts for them to give to their families. We collect gifts all year and take them to each nursing home. Each patient get to pick out 2 gifts. We wrap each one for them to give to their family members at their Christmas party. Such a wonderful day. You don't think about things like this until you help on a special day like this. They are so grateful..