The nights are edging towards autumn with low temperatures in the 60's, a great difference from the sweltering nighttime 80's that have marked the past three months. We've even had a bit of rain, just enough to wet the leaf tops but it left the air cleaner. There's still not enough moisture to sprout the fall crops. I doubt there will be many fall crops this year; only the scotch kale is producing. I gave up on the garden in August. For the first time in nearly forty years, I do not have the freezer stuffed full, nor shelves groaning with canned goods. It's eery. Worse yet, I will have to go shopping... I can't stand seeing those bare shelves all winter. The happy note is that the snapdragons put on a show this summer. For some reason, I'd not grown them since I was a kid; and my memory was not impressed. But these plants have been spectacular with tall ones making masses of spires and the dwarfs literally covered in blooms. They were grown on a new lasagna bed, and had only the laundry rinse water to drink... hmm, wonder if that's why they bloomed so brightly.

So many times people come here for advice and have a sad rose that needs help. This just proves that with some basic care an old rose might just thrive again. It's always worth a try. I talked with a neighbor whose daughter moved to Colorado (where Dixie bought a house) and said that Dixie is doing well and has a lovely garden. The old neighbors keep in touch with each other. Dixie was always so beautiful. She reminded me of Doris Day and she smiled and laughed and loved bright colors. All her roses in that bed were bold 60s-70s era roses.

At us already not the first day. But I had to plant 14 hostas on the last Saturday:George Smith, Niagara Falls, Dick Ward, Millennium, Ghost Spirit, On stage, Montana Aureomarginata, Du Page Delight, Mississippi Delta, Wintersnow, Inniswood, Touch of Class, Lakeside Black Satin, Ace Age Trail, Choo Choo Train. And still it is necessary next Saturday to plant seven hostas. I add a lot of a wood bark. Many our hosta-holics still continue landings. Natalia.

Thanks everyone..glad you enjoyed 'My Apples'.. Luvs..those apples in the basket and on the plate are all faux. I love them because they do look so real and actually fool everyone who sees them. Kathleen...I know, I know, I'm kicking myself for not buying more of the dishes. Besides being really nice they were so cheap. Those cute little apple candles I got at CTS, a few years ago. I bought several boxes of 'Them' though...lol Sounds like some special baking, w/apples for your little Gson. You always do such sweet things...I'm sure they love and appreciate everything. The weather is supposed to be nice..hope everyone has a great time. yachter...you are so right. I had learned that lesson once before, the hard way. I passed up a fabulous buy on a table. When I got home, I was sorry I didn't get it. So I drove all the way back..and while I was almost there, a car passed me by...with guess what?? I'm sure you guessed, the table strapped to the top of the car!! grrrrr..ya think I would have learned from that... jaybird...lololol..I seem to have really hit a nerve with everyone on not getting more of those dishes.. If I see anything, this Sat, that I feel is a 'Must Have'... I definitely won't think twice. lynn...thanks. I agree, that basket was a great deal, and the quality is really nice too. It's quite large, and sometimes I use it for magazines. Come on everyone.... I'm looking forward to seeing yours...Lynn, I know you've been challanged...so I'm waiting anxiously too!! jane