I appreciate the things you said. Lilo, I know you have the European perspective necessary to understand what it might be like for modern Ukrainians; thank you for seeing their pride. Blueheron, good for you for reading Bloodlands -- I'm impressed by your commitment to understanding history. Don, that's a great aphorism! "The Ukraine" no longer -- Ukraine, now a sovereign country, has dropped the article that referenced it as a province or possession of another country. I wanted to share this quote from a Ukrainian music website. The commentator at this site always has interesting things to say, and there is also a certain intriguing space between his Ukrainian and English language abilities that prompts thoughtful imagination on the part of the English reader. "This summer, the modern Ukraine turns 21 years old - so, anyway, it has finally come of age. In other words - it is time to be accountable for one's actions without hiding behind reputable backs of older friends. Just because everyone in this world is living his/her own life - and it is far not those who offer advice that live and act according to this advice. Thus - it is not them who learn the hard way...But us. As a result, we learn from our own mistakes - well, that's how it is. The main thing is to learn. Not for the sake of the world with which we need to catch up - but for the sake of the world that we need to discover. In ourselves - and around. But there is another option as well: it turns out very simple - to step into the same river twice. One just needs to block the flow... The choice is ours. Because each of us is living his/her own life. Even if he/she chooses not to choose."

Jkayd - You are right. Scarecrow is like its own firework. Chris and Mantis - Cool Hand Luke is nowhere near its height of 40 inches here. I would say the scapes are 27-28 inches here for both last year and this year. But most everything is shorter than it should be this year. It's also missing that great lateral branching it had last year. Debra This post was edited by shive on Sat, Jul 5, 14 at 9:22

Yep, I remember the really tough times too! We have had several days of beautiful weather and most of my fam went to the beach. DH and I BBQ'd and I took advantage of the nice evening weather to pull weeds. We watched 'Independence Day' with Will Smith. I love that alien movie. Rosa

Happy Independence Day, or as I say, Happy Fourth (sorry, Jannie!). If Thanksgiving is Turkey Day, maybe we should call today Hot Dog Day? Greetings from the Birthplace of the Nation, Philadelphia, where we have Independence National Historical Park, not Fourth of July National Historical Park. Big shindig in the city tonight. I'll watch on tv. Enjoy the day!