Edna, some years H. lineata are so abundant here in the west that they are a pest. They are also one of the most widespread species of Spingidae world-wide. Being both diural and nocturnal fliers is probably why they are so easily noticed, even by folks who have little interest in Lepidoptera. Sherry, we can, but only the Black-chinned is always a year-round resident here; some years the Anna's, Costa's, Calliope or Rufous stay year-round; and all the other species are rare strays not seen in high numbers here. In SE AZ at places like Madera and Ramsey Canyons, they get way more species than we do by getting species from all over Central and South America. I've spent a lot of time at Madera Canyon, and just over the hill from Ramsey Canyon in Sawmill and Garden Canyons on the Fort Huachuca MR doing Lepidoptera. These areas are magnets for southern and tropical species not found anywhere else in the US normally, and is where many species records are first established in the US. Madera is known world wide for its Lepidoptera and Coleoptera as well as its birds. Both areas require a special permit to do Lepidoptera that is not easy to obtain (unless like me you've had the permits many times before and so have a history with the authorities). The Friends of Madera Canyon (aka The Riot Cops) is always a hoot there doing everything they can to deter you from the bugs there. A hoot because most of them are also octogenarians. LOL The state issued permit over-rides their jurisdiction, so I always looked at them as just cute old pests and was always friendly with them to leave a better impression of Lepidopterists. Larry, the leps pretty much ignore bottlebrush here. The hummers and other nectar feeding song birds love it though. Susan, when a thunderstorm wakes up a desert and makes it come to life, the literal wall to wall color and sweet odors that follow leave it anything but barren and colorless for a few weeks. Just between you and me, my favorite place on earth is still the high Rockies. If it wasn't for the deep snow and bitter cold that's where I would die. The pictured plant I think it is a variety of Tecoma stans.

Thank you all so much,Lucy that is why I came here for the support and love that this extended family always has.I can count on you all being here. Amelia pepper lady-I have a brace with metal on the top and bottom of the wrist to keep it in place,no surgery Thank Goodness.It is one of the small bones,and just cracked,so they think just the brace for a few weeks and I will be fine,and you are right I have a hard time not doing,I am always doing something,I don't even have my Christmas tree up,we might have to do with Christmas dishes and a decorated table this year. Daniella Thanks keep those prayers coming because I think that is what's keeping me going. SJN thank you for your well wishes for Tootie,boy has she gotten spoiled.LOL Joyce and Theresa,hugs back to you,and Thanks. Kylie yes Dear.lol Love ya Kayrn so far so good. Thank you all for you love and support,you all are so woonderful and I love ya bunches. Bonnie

Kay, how are you? I haven't been around for a while, I had to take a break and get myself together. To everyone I want to tell you that I am so sorry for your loss and sadness, it is the worst pain anyone can have BUT it does get better, I promise. My heart and soul mate died 14 months ago and I wanted to die with him, I was in so much pain and so scared of what was going to happen to me without him; life must go on. I was told that it doesn't get better but it gets different and they were right. I still weep and some days are bad but I have more good days as time goes on. Life won't seem so alien after a while, I just felt like I didn't belong here any more, not in my home, my job or this world but I did finally settle with my feet back on the ground. It's not easy but you have to push youself to live and it eventually gets easier. Please take care of yourselves, get help if you need it and work hard at being strong, we will never forget and we will always love them and happier days are ahead. God Bless all, Mav.

I'm going to chime in here. I don't read fashion magazines either. For one reason, I don't think they are indicative of what is in style at our "tier", if that's what you want to call it. Perhaps it has to do with where you live also. For instance, I won't say that nude hose are outdated. Yes, in years past I have seen alot of black hose (which is what I try to wear if I absolutely MUST wear hose), tights (which you can't wear with every type dress), and my favorite - pants. LOL!! I still see alot of nude hose on ladies in this area - ladies who are fashionably dressed. I also think we've heard so much about Katherine and Pippa and their nude hose, that we will see more of them. What's in-style or current, etc. in NYC is not what is the look here in Tennessee. I have to say re jeans, I see many more women here wearing the slightly flared leg than the skinny jeans. You may remember that I work at a college, and I do see girls there in the skinnies. The skinnies that are tight enough to look like leggings LOL. IMO, that is who they look best on, the younger girls. I don't think at my age (staring 50 in the face!), that skinnies are the look for me. Another trend - we talked about maxi dresses earlier on this forum, well after that conversation, I started looking more closely at what people were wearing. Again, I saw many more under 30 gals with the maxi dresses. Most were younger than that. They were popular with the college set. I really think they are cute, but I am too short to carry that look off, plus I don't think I could stand all that fabric around my legs. Things like that bug me. Age wise - I'm not so sure. I want to have an updated, current look but I really prefer to have my own style and don't worry about having/wearing what everyone else is wearing or what someone says is the style. Some trends, I like and are favorable on me, some I don't and they're not LOL. I like classic seperates that continue to look current through the years, and update them with trendy jackets, sweaters, accessories, etc. That's just me. While I don't read fasion mags, I will admit to being slightly adicted to home deco mags. LOL Recently downloaded two trial subscriptions to my nook. It IS cheaper!! Just my two cents worth on fasion! tina