Sorry to be away for a bit and get behind on the discussion. I'm so glad there are so many Bonica fans out there! I sometimes feel it doesn't get as much respect as deserved, since it's not flashy enough to get attention as a modern, and too new to be technically an OGR (though I agree Ingrid that it fits quite well among the OGRs with its lovely open style). Catspa - the reason mine doesn't keel over from the blooms is the handy fence that ended up next to this bush - not remotely planned of course, since Bonica considerably preceded the fence, but still a very handy thing. Malorena and Mariannese - your pictures are a great testament to why we love this rose, and anything that can tempt a non-gardener to take photos of a rose is something to be proud of (and of course, your daughter is a source of joy and pride in herself). Mariannese, I agree that it was sweet as well as a terrific opportunity to meet a keeper of the Meilland tradition and complement a rose that has more than stood the test of time. I agree with your sentiments and I'm glad you got the chance to share them (did he agree?). Kes - my Elizabeth of Goshen gets no more than 3 feet or maybe 3.5 feet in a season, but undoubtedly she'd be a bit taller with more sun or a longer growing season. Even during last summer's explosion of blooms with all that surviving cane, I don't remember her getting particularly large. As for problems, the main disease in my part of the world is blackspot, and we don't get it anything like as bad as you do on the East coast, since we tend to be dry here in the Plains. Even during our heavy rains in the last few months this fall, plenty of other plants started to blackspot quite a bit and I don't remember EofG being particularly bothered. That doesn't mean she wouldn't in your zone - witness the difference in Austin rose health between our zones - but I think she has a better chance than the average Austin at doing well for you. No guarantees of course, but I'm glad you have the chance to try and I suspect it'll do nicely for you. And bellegallica, there's nothing remotely to hesitate about for your plans for those pink and orange schemes. Nothing 60's about it - Marie Daly is such an understated pink that she needs a few gaudy marigolds to wake her up a bit. Put a few purple salvias to tie them together and you have a photo opportunity waiting to happen, not to mention bee paradise. Go ahead - do it and post us some pictures! Cynthia

We tried to see it yesterday but the outdoor mall where the theater was located was so packed that we turned around without looking for a parking space. I still want to see it!

Thank you all for your continued suggestions. I haven't seen Shirley Valentine and it's been mentioned twice so I will not only add it to the list (which I'd already done) but will check it out myself. Mtn, The Big Night is one of my favorites.. but you really sent me back with Fanny and Alexander. I know it's too long and not everyone's cup of tea but it was a favorite of mine as a kid. A church in walking distance from my house used to show old movies in the basement for a small fee-- cents, as i remember. I was the oldest of 4 kids-- and our house was a gathering place for the neighborhood kids so going to these movies was a way for me to escape the chaos. I think that's where I first developed my love of old movies.. that and I had insomnia even as a kid so I'd stay up late at night watching the old movies. Your mention of F&A brought back happy memories. And who knows what movies in this list will do the same for my grandmother? The Songcatcher was one that did that for her-- the music and sets took her back to a place in her childhood. I think the best gift I can give to her IS the Netflix membership after all.. so that she can discover her own gems. That's part of the fun, isn't it? Finding the gems. Daisy.. are you anywhere near PA? The screen itself would be a lot to send (the blower is attached and the screen and support add up to some bulk and weight).. but I do have an old screen that we're no longer using. It has a touch of mildew stain on the screen but I am sure it would clean up. Also, some people just build a frame to suspend an old sheet or a painter's tarp. I figured the 200 bucks was a lot easier than building and assembling a frame each time. It literally goes up in about 15 minutes.. and it's so fun for the kids to watch it go up! We had many many great nights around the outdoor screen. It was a lot of fun to bring together kids of all ages and interests.. and parents loved it too! I hope your neighborhood can resurrect your movie night. And P.S. an inflatable screen would be a great Christmas gift! Oh, and it's not just great for movies-- you can use it for any digital content. I have heard of people who use the screens to show big football or baseball games-- or for Guitar Hero or Xbox game tournaments on the big screen. Just remember that you need you need a projector with pretty strong light (high lumens) and you need to wait for full darkness. I usually set up before dusk.. and then wait for the dark.

My almost 21-year-old daughter saw American Sniper a couple of weeks ago and loved it. She said that after the movie was over, the entire theater was deathly quiet. No one moved while all the credits rolled through. And then everyone left, as quiet as can be. She said you could hear a pin drop as everyone left. Respectful, I guess. And perhaps blown away by what these great heroes, all of our military people, actually went through over there . . . and here, afterwards as well. I'm anxious to see it, but as the mom of someone who served two tours in Afghanistan, I'm steeling myself as to how it will probably affect me. To me, every soldier is someone's beloved son, daughter, husband, wife or good friend. From what I hear, i'll need to wear waterproof mascara and bring along a lot of Kleenex.