And what about Sherry, and mustbnuts? They added so much.

Yes! Sherry and must’ve, as well! If I’m remembering correctly, mustbe, sometimes participates in “spurts”. I know she’s crazy busy. Sherry, I have no clue about her disappearance. I always hope these people are just busy, instead of something else. We have no way of knowing, sometimes. Lisa

Lisa, yes, Virginia was totally frustrated with the problems she was having with GW/houzz. She told me that she was going to delete her entire profile and create a new one. It seems she attempted it, but what I saw happen was it just updated her old profile with a new name: Vicissitudezz

So Virginia's old posts now appear with the new name Vicissitudezz; the "vmr" name is no more. But she hasn't posted since this change, and I expect the frustration got the best of her. IF Virginia doesn't show up in the next few days, I can get in touch with her and ask if it's OK to give out her personal email. But I sincerely hope she and houzz can get the tech issues worked out.

Sherry's husband died back in the Autumn of 2016. She posted once last year that I saw, and even said she hoped to post more often, but I haven't seen anything new since last summer. I hope she's doing well.

EDIT: here's Sherry's blog: If Only Sweat Were Irrigation

I'm going to email her and let her know we're thinking about her.

I've seen Bart post in the last week or so, on the roses thread about front yard gardens and passers by...

John

Also missing is Anne from No California. I miss her too.

Oh yes, Ann! Your memory is so much better than mine, Sheila. It’s not that I don’t miss them, it’s that their names escape me until I’m reminded. It’s been rather quiet here, lately. Ingrid hasn’t been posting much, and many are just now nearing the end of the cold season. Perhaps soon things will start blooming and we’ll see more action. I really hope Virginia can find a way to post again. I’ve been through frustrations with Houzz myself, and I felt like I was going through withdrawals when I vowed to stop posting here, out of frustration. My morning coffee just wasn’t the same! I really don’t get out much at all, and this has become part of my daily interaction. I feel bad when someone that I’ve “talked” with almost daily suddenly is gone, especially when I have no idea if they’re alright. Carol really concerns me. Unless I missed something, she just disappeared after being such an enthusiastic and wonderful member. I hope she and her daughter are doing well.

John, I’m so glad you will email Sherry and Virginia! I’m always reading Sherry’s posts, and I sure wish she would come back. What a joy her posts are to read! Virginia’s absence is so noticeable to me because it’s so recent, like Carol’s. I’ll head over to read the post about passers by the front yard. I’ve been avoiding it, because I live next to a park entrance. I’m afraid I have some rather negative experiences in that department, and wasn’t sure I wanted to voice them. I felt like once I opened that thread, I probably would:) That’s why I missed Bart’s comment. I’m glad to hear that she posted. Lisa

Lisa, I am with you guys. I enjoy their post and threads. I hope all goes well. I have read Sherry' s old post. And Jon's and name's started with M..his garden is so beautiful. I don't think I know Anne from CA. I might and I might not read about her post.

But, I sure miss Carol, Virginia and Bart. They bring joy, stories and interesting spices to threads in narrative ways/styles and pics of antique roses. I also notice it is very quite lately. Every morning and night , I look forward to posts..

Marlorena is also getting quite maybe she is busy with her garden renovations.

Jin

Lisa this is a great thread. If you did not put it sooner then I might have . They have been on my mind also.

Thanks for putting it up

Jin

From what I understand Sherry is on Facebook or blogging, I'm not quite sure which. I'm afraid bart is facing some serious medical issues, and this is not yet the rose season for her at any rate. I definitely miss everything about Carol and hope that she and her daughter are okay. I thought Virginia had conquered her health issues, and I so hope she's okay; she's a lovely person. I haven't posted much except that I have commented on others' posts since there is nothing much to look at in my garden, and my husband's condition is not as good as we had both hoped, which of course influences my autoimmune issues. I think the dismal state of our country and indeed the whole world is also weighing on me, and it's becoming increasingly difficult to find anything to counteract that.

Others I also miss: Lou in Texas who hasn't posted in a long time and was having health problems and Michael G. Wasn't he in the Georgia or North Carolina mountains? And what bout Robert in Virginia who moved? Was it to northern Ohio and where is Jeffcat?

I do hope Virginia stays with us. Sometimes I wish Houzz didn't but then I have to remind myself to be careful what I wish for.

Cath

Someone else I really miss, who hasn't been here since the Houzz revolution, is Olga. I don't think she's posted in five or six years :( She was a fount of knowledge about gallicas and albas.

And Maurizio...what a talented guy. But he's outgrown us. He's a world famous landscape architect/photographer/artist now. But we knew him "before", lol.

What happened to Michael G?

I am missing Titian.

To be honest, I want to email Carol but her message is not enable. This was a few months ago then she wrote on Darren 's post then quite again.

Jin

Vaporvac, it hasn't been too long since I saw a post by Trish (titian1). I don't remember which thread it was on, though. I hope she's doing well. It's coming up on Autumn in Oz, so she may just be busy with garden cleanup?

Thanks for posting this thread, Lisa, and all you people who have brought up rosers who posted in the past and are currently absent. I wondered about Sherry, didn't know her husband had died, but remember when he got ill. That takes a lot of getting over, I'm sure. I'd like to hear from Virginia, too. And all the rest of these missing folks. Bart, glad you're busy out in the garden. I was gone for a few days in search of sun and warmth, and will emerge today once it gets light to see what's happened while I was away. The woods I saw from the train were still bare. Goodness.

I’m glad to hear from you, Bart! Good for you, taking advantage of the weather. I certainly understand about the depression thing. Sometimes I hide mine especially well here, by writing up a storm when I’m feeling really bad. I think it’s my effort to try to make myself feel better. Sometimes it helps, and sometimes not so much. I think I rather deal with my physical problems than the depression, but I suppose they often go hand in hand. I was also thinking of Comtessedelacouch, yet my foggy brain couldn’t come up with her correct name. I’m happy to see that you added a “like” to this thread, Comtesse, so we know you’re reading along. I do miss Trish, perhaps she’s traveling or gardening up a storm. I did notice a “like” from Carol(Portlandrose) on another thread, so I’m glad to know she’s still around, just quiet. I miss Ingrid here with her lovely pictures, but we keep in touch. I dearly miss Virginia. My memory isn’t the best and some were before my time, but people are certainly missed when they stop posting..... Lisa

That is so sweet of you, Lisa! I, too, am glad to hear that the Comtesse is sometimes reading on the forum. I don't really have a "social life", so it's nice to chat with others, even though only on an electronic level, lol. Physical problems and depression definitely are going hand-in-hand with me these days; I've just been sick for so long, and my hip makes simple every-day life painful and difficult. I have to force myself to get up in the morning and to go out to my beloved land; then, once I'm there, in spite of the pain,I tend to feel better. Fertilizing and weeding is a huge job, which I haven't done very thoroughly for the past few years; I was too busy working on my anti-badger fence.Granular chemical fertilizer is not my ideal, but I think my plants do appreciate getting some immediately available nutrition Of course I continue to add organic matter,but that takes time to break down. I had hoped to render my garden safer and more accesible in preparation for my hip replacement, but with this other serious health issue I don't know if I'll be able to do that.

Ingrid, I am sorry to hear that you and your husband's health issues are not going as well as you'd hoped. It is indeed difficult to remain cheerful at times thinking of the current state of affairs in the US and elsewhere.

Melissa, I'm surprised to hear that the woods near you are still bare; here spring has exploded: wild primroses and violets, and the magical lacy white hawthorn and wild cherry trees! So beautiful! The last few days were downright HOT in the sun. Today it's raining again, which delights me (perfect for watering in that fertilizer)...

I think Henry is turning 90 this year if I remember it right. We should give him an online birthday party! :-)

Oh gosh, you're right titian hasn't posted much lately. I would so hate to lose her, or anyone else we know. Someone else from Italy (Alyssa?) was here for a while and I miss her also. Her garden was gorgeous and then I believe she had some setbacks in that regard, and she hasn't been back since.

bart, you are a warrior. To keep on visiting your faraway garden when you're in so much pain is truly awesome, especially considering you work so hard once you get there. I don't know how you do it.

Rain and snow sound wonderful to me today. We're having a Santa Ana condition and it's hot and dry. I was outside for five minutes and felt ill just from that. There should be a program where you can buy a new body when the old one gets wonky.

vaporvac, Lisa and Ingrid - thank you! I have had a lot going on, but pretty well all sorted now. My camera won't charge, and although I can take photos on my new phone, I don't know how to upload them - not that there is much different to post anyway.

Good to see you here Bart, and I hope your health problems get sorted before too long. What a trouper you are to carry on on your land. And comtesse, I'm glad you're here too, albeit in a quiet way. Probably all you're feeling up to.

I have missed Alyssa too. What a beautiful garden she has created. And I do hope Virginia and Carol reappear. They would be sorely missed.

Well, it is great to hear from Bart and Titian. And I saw Comtessa posting on Jeri's n Shiela's thread. Excellent !!

We miss you guys:)

I saw Marlorena giving thumbs up to me. Hehe

Carol, I hope all is going great for her. I do miss her and I hope she will come back when she is ready.

Jin

Hello Lisa and all! Thank you so much for thinking of me. I hadn't intended to step away for so long. I was in the middle of working toward various educational and medical services for my daughter when my cold became bronchitis, and then the dreaded pneumonia struck! I'm on my way to a full recovery and beginning to slowly but surely tackle overdue spring gardening chores. The place is a MESS! However, I'm picking up a couple of roses from John across town this weekend, ones mailed in conjunction with his batch from a most thoughtful and generous forum member. John very kindly potted the starts, and he has been nurturing them for several months. New roses. That should get things rolling!

I also thank everyone for checking up on other forum members that haven't posted in awhile. This forum is an amazing opportunity to connect across miles, but technological communication also makes check-ins more challenging and gaps in postings difficult to explore.

I look forward to catching up on everyone's photos, posts and comments. Happy springtime to you all, my favorite rose fanatics and kindred gardening spirits!

Carol

Carol, omg, welcome back. Geezs, too bad you are miles away if not I will be making chicken soup from scratch. How are you feeling ?

I was asking Lisa about you and Virginia. I am glad you feeling better. But, I am sure pneumonia is not a fun thing. Takes a long time to recuperate. Miss y'all narrative writings. It is still cold outside. Take your time to look after your daughter and yourself. How is she doing ?

Jin

Awww Carol, I'm so sorry! This must just be the year :( I got a sinus infection and bronchitis too and if we hadn't caught it when we did I know it would have went into my lungs. I hope you feel better soon! I do do wish you were busy with the garden instead of sick ~hugs~ Take Care!

I’m so glad to hear from everyone (almost). Bart, you are indeed a warrior! I’m sure your doing yourself good, by doing what you love. Just don’t over do it, please.

Trish, I’m glad that you’re doing well! It’s great to hear from you. I missed you.

Carol, I’m so glad to hear from you! I had a feeling you might be unwell. I knew you were facing a battle getting what your daughter needed, but the pneumonia on top of it is a double whammy! I’m happy to hear that you’re on the mend, and I’ll bet those new roses are making you eager to get gardening again. It can take a long time to get back to 100%, after a bout like that, so take good care of yourself. SO good to hear from you!

I’ve seen Anna Lyssa posting again! Wonderful!

Virginia, I can only hope that you’re reading this, if not posting. I know it was the frustration with Houzz that caused you to leave. How I (we) miss you! Lisa

What about mustbnuts? I hope she is doing well. I was hoping she could retire eventually and post more.

Houzz must have really upset Virginia. I have talked with her through email, and I did tell her she was missed on the forum. But she didnt say anything back about that. Hopefully she'll come back after a break.

Virginia made some very comforting comments to me about the health issues,so of course I miss her. Houzz is annoying, there's no doubt. For example, I have found that it's unwise for me to click on links that people post; sometimes doing so messed up my bookmarks list on my computer. I've also noted that at times an unintentional "link" is automatically created!

I have not seen that, Bart. Thanks for the warning; I'll be wary.

Rosefolly

Carol, I'm so sorry about everything you've been through. Stress and worry about a loved one can do a number on your own health, and exacerbate a condition so it goes from bad to worse. It seems as though the nicest people often get the worst of it. I can certainly think of a few world leaders and politicians that I'd like to load down with all the maladies experienced by members here.

My thoughts exactly Ingrid. It makes no sense. Sentient beings suffer more, where ignorant people are unaware and the cluelessness is probably less stressful. I don't know how they can live with themselves.

Just a quick hello from me - to let you all know my heart goes out to all of you going through tough times; it's so good to hear from you all, and I wish I could somehow get the words out to give needed comfort and hope to everyone individually, but somehow they're failing me, and have been for some time. I too miss Virginia amongst others, she was so kind to me and to so many others when in difficulties.

I've been having a s**t time since November when I rashly thought I'd have a little outing into the city one evening... and relapsed (several rather traumatic events happened during and after that evening, all in quick succession, so I think that's what caused the relapse; I might have got through one or two of these challenges but not all of them, one on top of the other. As Ingrid said, any stress can exacerbate these weird auto-immune/neurological/inflammation type of illnesses like crazy.)

So then I didn't have the mental or physical energy to follow the forum at all for a while, then could only manage to read but not respond/write anything; then managed to write a bit every now and then, so long as it wasn't too complex for my challenged brain (which means anything involving multitasking, like feeling and thinking/forming words at the same time (!) ...I know, it's weird!...

But, as I'm getting better at using the mindfulness to dissolve the stress, and with time and rest am definitely improving now; I actually got out of my gloomy house for a little walk the other day and saw the sparkling blue sea again! So beautiful... and have even done a bit of tidying up in the garden! Whooa! 35 minutes max per session including lots of sitting, and/or lying down to rest every time I'm on the point of fainting, heart pounding, until the blood gets back to the brain and I can see and think and stand up straight again. Just pulling off dead leaves and stems from the row of agapanthus on the raised bed and tearing them up and scattering the debris for mulch. That's all I've got growing out there I'm afraid, apart from some dying, drought-struck/borer attacked natives on the verge. And lots of overgrown rye grasses around the dead lawn! But it feels great to do something out there, no matter how minor. :-)

Comtesse, it’s so great to hear from you! I’m so very happy that you’re feeling a bit better and have been able to get outdoors! I know that feeling of accomplishment over something that would be no big deal to others, so good for you! Baby steps, just don’t overdo. Just being outside again must be good for everything inside of us, I think. I SO glad for you!

Ingrid and Sheila, I’ve taken a short hiatus from the news. It’s all too discouraging. I’m going to live in a bubble for a week or two. If something major happens, I’ll hear about it. I’m tired of getting upset before bed, so I’m skipping the news for a while. I’m not putting my head in the sand, just taking a break.

It’s been wonderful hearing from some that we’ve been wondering about. Now, if we would just hear from a few more......Lisa