Us and Them the original division. We must make it right to our self before we can blame. Evidence of this is omnipresent lately.

I was initially pretty happy with my order from Arrowhead. Then, a few days after the order arrived, the 'gold drift' died suddenly. All the needles fell off and the thing just went kaput. A few days after that, I noticed a worm on pinus contorta 'spaans dwarf'. A month later, I found more worms on the same tree. My 'goldilocks' has not done much at all since arriving (looks quite similar to your 'chief joseph' in stage of growth and age). So, that are three plants that are dead or might soon die out of 13 ordered. IMHO, not a good ratio. I can't email because there is none, and I'm afraid to call because of the reactions I've heard sometimes happen. I did purchase several plants labelled as "older" and still think that the high quality of THOSE plants makes up for the three that kicked/are kicking the bucket. The older plants would have cost 2-3 or more times what I paid purchased somewhere else. That said, I probably won't mail order from Arrowhead again. Next year I plan to drive to Gees, that looks like a great place and I've heard only good things, to cherry pick what I want. I did see 'chief joseph' at a local nursery two weeks ago - Iowa City Landscape had two amazing 3 1/2 foot specimens, I believe they were $199 each, dirt cheap in my opinion for what they were. I have not gone back to see if they are still there, but gosh I hope if someone bought them they are going to a hope that will appreciate them! Elizabeth

wow...that was awesome... while we only lived in bothell wa for 2 glorious years, i still ache we ever had to move away back in 1986. it was the last time i attended a major league baseball game, anyplace...very fitting! i can remember sitting INSIDE watching a game and wondering how they missed hitting the ceiling, lol... we, too lost great baseball voice in 2010.... Ernie Harwell, the acclaimed Tigers broadcaster whose eloquence and kindness made him a beloved Michigan institution, died Tuesday night after a nearly year-long bout with cancer. He was 92.

chris - I was so sad to learn about Pratchett earlier this year. We may have discussed his condition some time ago on one of the threads here. I really enjoyed "Equal Rites," by him. And just tonight I finished "The Fifth Elephant," which I really liked. Some of his are better than others ... but they're always a good read. If you haven't read "Good Omens," the book he wrote with Neil Gaiman, it's a treat.