First, my heartfelt condolences to John - no matter how expected a loss may be, it's still a numbing shock. May your trip home for the final tributes and the inevitible chore of setting affairs in order be as safe, pleasant and painless as possible. This touring thing is such a great idea and the first date will set the pace for fine tuning as the year progresses. Now, on the 23rd of June I will welcome all GWC gawkers from morn to early afternoon! Early birds welcome - I'll make sure I've got both eyes open by 8 am and keep the coffee & lemonade stand manned until 1 pm or so. Parking: My driveway takes two cars, but then the side gardens disappear, so on-street w/out blocking drives or mailboxes (that seems to work for the garage salers) can work for this! I'm still working on my 'puppy wrangling' plan (that'll be the biggest challenge!) - will have it figured out by then. Please email me at ydd_2003@yahoo.com for any questions/better directions etc. I'm looking forward to attaching some faces to names here and picking a few garden geek brains!

Tammy: You're smart and nice. :oD Thanks for the sedums! I started them in a pot I have basil in so they get a little bigger before I set them in where the pansies need to come out. I looked up what the cleome plants my sister gave me look like, and I wanted some of those, so I'm very happy. Called my sister to thank her and discovered she couldn't find her original plants. Somebody had given her her original plants last year, and she didn't realize they were annuals, so now she's upset she gave away all the seedlings she found. But I'll just share seeds back with her, now that we know, LOL. Hey - how are those lizards settling in to their new yards? Agrowingpassion: Thursday afternoon or evening would be ideal for me, although I could do other evenings as well.

Morning all, and HAPPY SPRING!!!!!! Yet another awesome weekend here in the TN valley with sun and mid-sixties! Y'all come down south and stay a spell, LOL! Loving the pics, keep them coming. I should have my secret pal's box ready to be shipped today! Also, those who are wanting Hellebore seedlings, I should have them dug and ready too. I'll give you a hint on who my secret pal is...s/he does NOT live in Tennessee :). Hi Cody! I am an orchid novice, so I am feeling out what grows best for me in my home conditions. I have had a phal and a dend/phal NOIDs for around 18 months and have been unable to get them to rebloom. I also have: Onc Dgmra. Winter Wonderland 'White Fairy' New ones on Friday: Ascda. Pralor 'Barbara Elmore' HCC/AOS that has red/orange bloom Epiden. 'Pixie Princess' H&R Epi. Veitchii Bulbophyllum pulchellum 'El' So, you see, I am kind of all over the place. The epi is in spike and I am excited!!! Jean, bird-bird looks great contrasting with your red walls! Beautiful bird! Dawn, you have a cutie baby bird too! I want a bird!!!! Trops, yes, I do have the plant that shoots seeds, Dorstenia. I do have Stuttgart, but I just got it last year, many thanks to both Marea and Susan for it! If it multiplies well, I would be happy to share. Thanks for the congrats on my weight loss. Add another pound to that! Or, should I say subtract another pound from me, LOL! I am eating normally now, just not sugar. I even bought a big bag of M&M's for my pal and it didn't call out my name. I have been eating Blue Bunny ice cream, the carb-free or sugar free varieties and I can't tell. I ate peanut brittle ice cream last night, YUM! OK, better get busy. I have a "Yeah, I'll get too it" list a mile long for today. I have been up for 4 hours already and have gotten zip done. Y'all have a wonderful day full of love, laughs, and sunshine! Life is good... ~ Canna

Besh - I am going to go with DD tomorrow and see if we can meet the OCC guys. I didn't even know what they looked like until last night when they were on the news. They brought the largest collection of bikes with them here. Well it looks like it is laundry day for everyone around here. I did a lot yesterday, but need to do more tomorrow. Time to do comforters, etc. Marci - just wait until you see my next photo - probably more like Biker Mama than Biker Chic. In the mid-70's my DH (then boyfriend) had a bike and I loved it, but have no desire to do it now. Besh - You sound so ready to have something work for you right now, so probably whatever you decide will be perfect. I am going to increase my exercise routine too. I love to walk and I haven't been doing much of it, so I think between my Aqua Strength, yoga and walking, I should be getting a pretty good workout throughout the week. I find walking really clears my head and gets me thinking - in a good way. BJ - what a lovely dinner you had - everyone must have had a great time to stay so late. How is your friend with the twins doing? Keep on packing girl - maybe I will catch up with you by the washer/dryer tomorrow. Can't get my head into work with the sounds of fun all around me outside. I'm taking a quick lunch break right now and will take a short walk a little bit later.