Thank you all for your postings. I didn't respond all these days because I found it difficult to visit this thread. I still do. Wow! All these friends bothered to respond and many went into the trouble to go searching for a suitable rose. Thank you all for that and for your kind words. I like to think Boubis had a good life. His end was so difficult, for me also, and that's one thing that makes me sadder. I'm consoled by the fact that I have his son Aris and his son's mother Irma living with me. But any dog, just like any human, is irreplaceable and Boubis was so special. Goldens are special, I have lost three already including him, but he was kind of special special to me. He was a most sensitive and attached pet although he did act like a moaning minnie sometimes, but then so do I. I thought about adopting a shelter dog even before the idea was mentioned in this thread but for the time being I'm not getting another dog. Yes, we certainly have a stray problem over here. Golden Celebration, R. canina now why didn't I think of those? I do own a GC and I should certainly have R. caninas as rootstock. Faithful Friend and 'golden' now this seems like purpose made doesn't it? I'll take my time and I'll let you know what I'll do. Again, thank you all for your support, it was something that helped me a lot. What I'll do is I'll go to my files and find a couple more pictures of him and I'll post them here along with pics of Aris and Irma. I hope you won't mind. Thanks, Nik

Mike, VCR's very fragrant and smells just like a rose. Even with just this single bloom I can still detect faint whiff of it from a distance. I know a vendor in Oahu who sells VCR cutting for $16. If you want it, let me know and I'll be happy to pick one up for you when I'm there. Wow!! that Scentational is still there? I kinda wanted to get it last month but it wasn't on sale. $40 seems reasonable enough! :) Did you see that giant plumeria plant I found in the Asian market around here? Could it be a promising sign plumerias will soon be available in our state? LOL Kenny

georgysmom, I'm sighing with you. My DD has seen it twice, at least one of those times was Broadway; don't remember about the second time. She told me I really ought to see it; it was just so good. Some time later it came to Richmond, and I went with a friend on a senior bus group. We had to leave very early to get there and I was exhausted by the time the curtain went up. I fell asleep during the first few minutes. My DD couldn't believe that!! I'll tell her about it being on PBS tonight, but I don't know if she gets that channel. Sue

Thanks, ladies. Yes, it's a lot of fun and it seems like the ladies are really outdoing themselves every year. I do have an idea for next years ornie, in fact I have almost everything I need to make them. I saw on FlickR some ornaments that look like those candied fruit slices, you know the ones you see in the nice candy stores, they look like a slice of orange, or lemon, lime, etc. They make them in citrus colors and red.... well, these were felt, 2 colors in each one, like dark green/lime green or dark yellow/bright yellow, etc, and covered with "sugar", which was a square crystal glitter. Simple, but VERY CUTE. I was thinking of making a set of 3 for each lady. I bought all the stuff to make them in case my ships didn't turn out. So I'll be making those, and I won't wait until early December, either! lol bRAT Kat- those are his little mittened hands you're seeing, ya perv! lol It's not a good photo, I realize that. He is absolutely the most charming, old-fashioned little guy, we all flipped over him. The 2 girls on either side of me, their guys had glittery felt shoes- mine has plain. I told them their little guys were gay. lolol And their little scarves are so cute, a tiny button holds it in place. He is perfection. I recommend these kinds of parties to everyone. What a great way to get together, have lots of fun and good food and be creative AND get a huge assortment of ornies. Oh. I don't do a tree anymore, I'm sad to say. Too many cheesy cats in this house that would tear it up. I keep some of the ornaments and share some with friends. I have a lovely assortment in boxes! lol Thanks, WC, about the cat. I hope to hear from the vet this morning that I can pick him up. Fingers crossed!