I wanted to post this earlier but had to get permission first. Oh, I wish I could write like this ! The author was a rose hybridizer and this was published in an older New Zealand Rose Journal. I hope you all laugh as much as I did when you read this. Nola Murray. Wanganui Rose Society. Hybridising Hazards. For all that raising roses at my age does have its disadvantages: I'm prone to all sorts of mechanical troubles. Back-ache! How I've learnt to live with that one! As the curtain rises on the germinating seeds, the act commences, and I'm at risk. Each year the ground recedes at an alarming rate as the structure weakens at the seams. Later on, when I'm weeding, fact-facing and finding among the seedlings, giraffe-like, my legs adopt a sort of flared-out position, and nuts and bolts fly everywhere. Talk about the agony and the ecstacy! My eyes take their share of punishment too. When like a bee, I zoom on to the stigmas, I need my glasses. I put them on, I pull them off and attack them furiously with hard rubbing, and lots and lots of huffing and puffing. I replace them only to find that I'm no better off. It's not the glasses; it's old age creaking up and not seeing eye to eye with me. Why can't all roses be accommodating and have nice long stamens that I can cut off with a pair of scissors? Some stamens, with their hide-and-seek games, seem bent on destroying me. My eyes smart, and, as the bough bends, the back aches and my legs feel like inflated balloons about to burst, but, as I start my skid on the disaster course, knotheadedness saves the day and - drives me on. It's a battle I'm determined to win. Straightening up-and it's no easy matter coming from right angles to the perpendicular-I emit a groan, breathe out some explosive unmentionables, grit my teeth and bend to the attack again. No elusive stamen is going to foil me! When you lack an eye like an eagle and want to cross pollinate, you just have to put up with all sorts of steering column problems. Smiles, Lyn

Funny Moni, you know Todd will tell this one many times! Thanks for sharing

I have major joint and muscle pain all the time. If I may offer a suggestion - ask your doctor about Voltaren Gel- a sample to try would be nice - it is a topical gel that is non greasy, no stinky smelly odor, and no heat. You only use a teeny amt for each sore area. It is a wonder drug for me, and harmless (as harmless as any thing you put on your skin can be anyway). The relief is immediate. It is specifically for tendinitis, I believe. I am not in the medical profession ~ so speak to your Doctor. Pain is not something most ordinary Docs are good at dealing with - so you may need to see one who specializes in Pain.

I love the idea of painting that wall a bold color! The problem is ... and maybe it's not really a problem....is that this wall wraps around to the family room. This entire wall and the wall behind it was lava rock! I have so enjoyed the change from heavy, dark rock to a white/clean wall that I'm afraid I've become stuck in that view. This is the other side while working on demo to give you an idea... and now This room is light gold painted paneling, and needs to be painted as well. It is however a darker/smaller room so that is a consideration. The sectional is off white, with chairs with golds and blues. So perhaps you see my dilemma. justerrilyn, I love your ideas-definitely adds some personality/warmth. So, if I painted that wall, would it have to wrap around or could it stop at that kitchen wall? This is the aggravating effect, of doing one room keeps bleeding into others. $$$ Funkyart, this is the link to the rug. kitchen rug I take no offence to this looking like an 80's frame...because it is! ; ) I will be heading to Michael's this week to see what ideas they may have.