BPGreen, it's a sad comment on changing times. Back in the day when I went to university down by the Ontario/NY State border in Niagara Region, us Canucks got lured across the line by "Canadian dollars accepted at par!" Because our dollar was always lower than yours, back then. It's no pleasure for any Canadians with Amurrican friends to see how badly your economy is doing these days. Oh, I'm glad my personal purchasing power is higher. But I'd trade that in a second to see your country in better financial shape. We export more to you than any other country in the world, y'know? And we buy more from you than any other country does. Fact. We matter more to you than China or Japan. Anyway, there's many Canadians hoping your nation will have the sense to fix your broken finances. You folks are in trouble, and you're our friends. I hope your government and your business community smartens up, quickly. Lloyd, will fire off the snailmail to you shortly. God bless you man, you'll help keep starvation off the streets of Toronto this summer. All the best, -Patrick p.s. The "Help Save the Angelstone Garden" appeal continues. Your personal donations of compost are needed. Don't let Patrick go to bed hungry tonight!!

A-ha! That must be what I'm doing wrong. I posted this question under the conversations and thought I was supposed to copy the share url link. I'll try the html tag to see if that works. Thanks, Melvana!

Back in May I was at one of our local Walmarts (Buffalo, NY area) just before Mothers Day and they had just gotten in a large selection of clematis. I went through them and amongst several varieties I have or am familiar with, there were 2 I was not. Fire Flame and Fireworks. I went home and did some research on them and found them to be quite nice, at least from the description and photos found in my Googling. I dashed back to the Walmart and purchased one of each at $12.99. I've posted a photo of the actual plants I bought with inserts of what they are supposed to look like obtained from the web. I planted them as is and after a few weeks when new growth appeared, trimmed them down severely, and now, much more new healthy growth is appearing. I have been nipping that off a few nodes down as well to promote root growth, and both are doing very well. In fact, Fireworks did set a bud which I let open to see if it was what it is supposed to be, and it is, albeit a bit lighter than the photo, but still, somewhat the correct coloration. Fire Flame has not set any buds/blooms, but is growing very well. I am holding my breath. I very much want a beautiful pink/red double in my collection, but am always leery of buying anything at Walmart not in bloom as I have had frequent problems with plants not being what they are labeled. Luckily, I purchased these shortly after they arrived at the store, as they did not look the least bit picked over. Unfortunately, there was only one label in one pot in each flat of 6 pots, so when that pot was purchased, there was no way to know what variety was in the flat. I find that pretty stupid on the growers part and Walmart as well, but then again, it's Walmart. Anyway, I will still be pruning Fire Flame next year to encourage better root growth, but if it does set a bloom, I will let it open just to see if it is what it is was labeled. Keeping my fingers crossed! I will update this when it does.

We had a false start Saturday, but 3/4 done right now and super happy! So glad ABB is almost a memory. I will post a shot without grout when they leave and another in a few days with the grout. Going with mapai white still and will use the keracaulk as advised. Thank you again. Anyone who is considering this tile - we have no regrets. It would go well with greens, grays, whites, blacks, and tans. It wouldn't interfere with a busy countertop (IMHO) and has enough variation to give some interest to our essentially solid black counter and white cabinets. A small number of tiles have imperfections, but they are the ones being cut for ends and corners, so not really wasted much.