Jodi...we've had lots of conversations during the time you weren't actively reading the list. Oleg in particular pointed out several scented hybrids. I recall that these are scented: H. Appleblossom, H. Jewel, H. Alfresco, H. Splash (?), H. Santiago, but also H x Johnsonii, and many NOID heirlooms. I'm sure there are others... Then there was the discussion about whether some smelled like berries and cream or cat pee!!! (Smile) Kristi

Dawn, What a sweet story. I read and feel as though I'm walking with you! One day last week after work, I grabbed my DH and had him come out the back door with me. It was just lovely and after a long day at work, I could have sat out there all night. Something about fall, fresh air and turning trees. Also have a lovely sage (hot lips, hummers loved it too) putting on a fine end of the season show and hyacinth bean vines, mexican petunia & knockout rose also blooming themselves silly. DH might think I'm nuts but he agreed at the pretty. Just to let you know that I know what you are talking about. Please say "hey" to the cow for me when you see her. Have a wonderful week! Laura

What great names! I love the name Lizzie. I told my dh that and he said he liked it too, but we're going to sit on it and see if it fits or if any other names pop out. She's made herself at home. It's as if she's always lived here. Right now she's sleeping on the sofa with the dog, has slept in the laundry basket, cuddled with me in bed. Workers have been in and out and she hung out with them in the kitchen. She's not afraid of anyone. I'm wondering if maybe she did have a real home and was dumped out here? She's way too people friendly to be a barn cat. I need to take her to the vet for her shots and worming next week. She also has really big ears. lol

Thanks, mayberry and jali! Dad is doing very well. Mom got pneumonia just before Dad's surgery, forcing us to chose a short rehab stint for Dad as Mom's in no shape to help care for him at home. That's a relief, but I've spent a lot of time on the road this past week between the hospital, rehab center and their house, trying to do what I can to help. This pesky workin' for a living really interferes with your personal life, lol! It was awesome to have a morning just to stroll around and see what all this rain has brought. Mushrooms I've never seen before are popping up! I got my first horse at age 10 and had horses continuously for 44 years. It was a marvelous run and a truly wonderful way to live. I do miss them. What I will not miss is feeding and watering in 20 below in February! The sadness is passing and I'm enjoying having additional planting space now. The pecans are an experiment. There are some huge pecan trees in Colorado, mostly along stream and river beds. They prefer a moister, more acidic soil than we have but when we flooded in 2013 an incredible amount of well, stuff, got deposited as our property runs along an irrigation canal. It's still not completely dried out from the flood. Seeing how the grass is growing in that area, I thought it might be worth trying them. They are a fussy transplant, so I went with 6 -12 inch seedlings ordered from Oikos Tree Crops in Kalamazoo, Mi. Link below. They have the potential to get 70 ft tall by 40 ft wide, although I'm not expecting quite that size in our crazy climate. It takes 10 - 15 years to get a crop, maybe longer here, but I'm hoping to taste one. Getting a little ahead of myself, aren't I? Thanks for the good thoughts and letting me overshare! Michigan pecan