When I was a little girl, a long, long time ago, I thought every suburban dweller had a backyard veggie garden. I can remember my granddad going out to his garden in the morning to pick bell peppers, tomatoes, onions - whatever was ripe - to chop up and add to his scrambled eggs. My grandmother, I am convinced, had not only green thumbs but green fingers and toes as well! Granddad got the back fence for his veggies, but Nana got everything else for her flowers. Along the sides of the back fence and every wall of the house she had flowers. Her name was Rose, and she grew roses in every color possible for roses, along with hydrangeas, azaleas, peonies, zinnias, irises (which she took to shows, she was a member of the local Iris Society), even florist-type carnations one year, and many more I can now barely remember. My stepdad grew up on a farm near Ada. He, too, always had a veggie garden along the back fence of our backyard. He and Granddad had very different gardening styles. Granddad's garden was every bit as neat and tidy as Nana's flower beds. Daddy let everything pretty much do what it liked. He'd plant cantaloupes at the west end of the garden, and we'd be picking them from the east end. I don't recall ever seeing cages for anything, though I do think he'd add stakes to tomatoes if they offered to fall over. If they wanted to spread and sprawl all over the garden, he'd let them. Until a couple of years ago, when I bought my first house, I never had the opportunity to garden much so I didn't have any questions for them. Now that I do, they're not where I can phone to ask. But I did learn that you can grow your own food, and that it tastes better than what you buy in the supermarket, and that you can fill your house and yard with beautiful forms, colors, and fragrances. If I didn't manage to learn much about the specifics of accomplishing all that, I did at least learn it was possible and that I wanted that ability. My Nana left on All Saints' Day in 1988. By the time the fourth anniversary of her departure came, they were all gone - Nana, Granddad, Mom, and Daddy. I have learned that I will never not miss them, but time does make the ache hurt less. Melissia, Jay, and tulsacityfarmer, you have my deepest sympathy. Connie, your husband's response is easily one of the, if THE, wisest thing I've ever heard. I don't remember who found this poem, but my Granddad had it read at the graveside for Nana's funeral. After her death he and my parents all decided to plan for their time and let us all know what they wanted. Every one of them wanted this poem read at the service, which we did. It took me a while to find it on the web; I was beginning to think I'd have to hunt up my copy at home, but I finally managed to find it. I didn't remember the title, perhaps the copy I had didn't have it on there, but according to the site where I found it, its title is, "I Am Always With You." When I am gone, release me, let me go. I have so many things to see and do, You mustn't tie yourself to me with too many tears, But be thankful we had so many good years. I gave you my love, and you can only guess How much you've given me in happiness. I thank you for the love that you have shown, But now it is time I traveled on alone. So grieve for me a while, if grieve you must Then let your grief be comforted by trust That it is only for a while that we must part, So treasure the memories within your heart. I won't be far away for life goes on. And if you need me, call and I will come. Though you can't see or touch me, I will be near And if you listen with your heart, you'll hear All my love around you soft and clear And then, when you come this way alone, I'll greet you with a smile and a "Welcome Home". Debra

Jeanne, your bird pictures are beautiful. Snow pictures always look so pretty, but I know what a hassle it can be to have to shovel it. So good that you feed the birds, poor things, everything is all covered up! I have Berber carpeting too, Jeanne, we put it in when we moved here about eleven years ago. Mine is showing wear in the traffic areas like in front of the couch and love seat, and I found it harder to clean with my steam vac because it was so "textured"--but I loved the look and it was really the "in" thing at that time. Now I need to see about replacing mine too, probably with more carpet unless the flooring guys think they could "blend" new wood in with what's already in my entry and hallway. Wish I would have just put wood in there to start, but we thought it would feel too "cold". Now I realize we could have used an area rug! Live and learn, right? LOL On your new vinyl flooring--make sure you follow the directions for cleaning. Just a slightly damp mop and don't use any other products unless it's something reccommended by the mfg. I used one of those Swiffer wet pads on mine and it left a "film" so it doesn't shine like when new now. And remember, liquids are it's enemy! Other than that, it is almost indestrucible and easy to clean. Enjoy! Luvs

I like to do little things for valentines day. Nothing expensive and I don't expect a romantic dinner or anything, although I plan to make something I know he likes a lot if I can. Since his and DD's food tastes are similar it's like a two-fer ;). DD got a cookie decorating kit, some bath foam, and a lip sucker. DH got a sphere shaped puzzle and some fun-dip candy. Now, he doesn't eat candy normally but he had mentioned that was his favourite kind when he was a kid. It think I might have spent 15.00 total on everything. And that was only because the puzzle was Pirates of the Carribean and therfore a bit pricey LOL. We had stopped doing these things but discussed it recently and decided this year we will go back to the cutesy little things for special ocassions. No stressful "what will I get" type gifts, just little thoughtful touches. However, DH apparently forgot. When he realized it, he insisted he figured we would "celebrate" on Saturday. Okay then. But guess what? He is working saturday then has plans. So hmmmmmm. I guess he forgot that he forgot.

OHHhhhh, this is sounding better all the time....but yes, Chris, you'd better fill us in on this character!! Count me in for the dark chocolate...(altho' when it get up to about 70-75% cocoa, it's a little bitter for me...) I tasted some lovely ports this past week that would be heavenly with dark chocolate... (an aside -- we tease DS about being a foundling, because he's the only one in the family who really just doesn't like chocolate...) this is a far better celebration that what I'll get at home! take care litlbit