We have a heavy marine influence, with Summer water temps in the upper 40's to low 50's offshore, hence it stays quite cool at night. Add to that the elevation factor, and the McIntosh are heavily delayed in ripening - as are many other crops. Even Watsonville at sea level send their McIntosh to market no later than mid-September. Go inland to the other side of the mountains, and McIntosh ripens late August and early September. Another yummy Mac-like apple is Oliver (syn. Senator), similar flavor, but much darker red coloring, and maybe slightly more complex of a flavor.

I've got one kordes fairytale rose - "Climb. Cinderella". The foliage is VERY impressive: glossy, clean, and healthy and looks completely different to my other DA roses. This is my first kordes floribunda rose and Cinderella has about 6-8 flowering buds in a cluster. However, the apple scent is mild to medium and sometimes, I couldn't smell anything. The flowers last for a long time compare to DA's. I can clearly see why Cinderella had won several international awards because the flowers do look really "cute" in a vase - but in the garden Cinderella seems to be like another ordinary pink rose. If I have a house, I would grow a set of David Austin roses in the front yard. I don't mind their delicate petals. I just love that light pastel, cup-shaped look. Just imagine having people from your neighborhood walking pass your house and ABLE to smell something - I'm sure you'll get lots of compliments from them. I've walked passed several houses in my area, most of them grow roses that I can't smell anything. The ones that I can smell would usually leave a good impression to my mind. Here is a link that might be useful: Photos of Kordes roses

Stonegirl (and any other experts following this thread), now I have lots of questions. 1. How much hydrogen peroxide and how much other stuff? 2. My granite fab'r recommended sealing every year with a product called 5-10 or 511 available at HD. Your comments? This is azul macaubas, a quartzite type, and (if you haven't already picked up from my screen name), my pride & joy. 3. Now I want the faqs on daily/weekly/etc maintenance, if you can provide me with a link. I'm always a little skeptical of new and improved, pricey products (e.g., why buy Bisquick when you can just add baking powder and such to ordinary flour?) so I don't know if I should be buying Granite Gold and similar. I usually prefer the low tech and environmentally gentle/less chemical method of doing anything. OTOH, that granite is my pride & joy. Have I mentioned that I love it?

I didn't watch the show much, just because I don't watch much daytime TV. But I really like Regis, and I agree Glenda I really like Joy also. I'm going to miss him on the rare times I watch that show. He seems like a really decent human being.