LOL....I was just on the Maryott's site myself...saw those 2 beauties he's offering for a $75 order. I guess my will power is better than I thought, I didn't add to my already large order even though Something Angelic has been one I've wanted for a while now. :) I still have beds to get ready for those already ordered for this fall, and I'm about to leave for a couple of weeks to spend some time in PA with my DH on the job he's doing there, so not much time left to get beds ready. I certainly don't need to be adding to my order. LOL Glad you found some more beauties though....your garden will be lovely next year. Jan

I've recently picked up some hard rock maple items at local resale/junk stores. Looking at ebay, there is quite a market for the pieces... Maybe someone should start recreating this old stuff in classic patterns? Check out Tell City Chair Company. Ethan Allen Circa 1776, Sprague & Carleton for some examples. A quick look on ebay shows some very nice HH pieces mostly in cherry or mahogany. I haven't been able to inspect any pieces firsthand, but I'm sure they are well-crafted. But do they look to be built in the same mechanized manner as cheaper pieces from overseas? And, the styles are very traditional, but do they look to be the same styles other, cheaper manufacturers are also building? I love beautiful woodwork and nice items for my Victorian house. I like finishes that enhance the grain of the work as opposed to having been sprayed in a paint booth. My two gripes with today's furniture makers is that it seems to all be very trendy and today's latest fashions, or much of it mimics the same traditional "updated" styles with little variance. I recently bought an old Victorian twin bed frame at a resale store with terrific leaf carvings on it (pictured). Several other shoppers were also eying it. Why can't we find such items being made today for the prices being charged? I'm just offering my 2 cents worth as an amateur woodworker and enthusiast of fine woodworking. Maybe some of this will make it's way to a planner or designer somewhere.... vince

Sorry to hear you are going through so much with the tick issues. Even though there are countless products on the market - the only sure way to get rid of ticks, is to either not walk in an area where wildlife has frequented (not a sure fire remedy) or continue to aggresively go after the ticks on your dog, after ever walk you need to check your dog head to toe and nose to tail, and you should do it more than once. In my opinion the topical remedy does not do enough to repel the3 ticks, they will walk around on your dog or worse hang on until you get close by and then climb onto you for their meal. I live in California and we have tick season year long.

Its 1 :25 am and I'm with the night owls. I was laid off at 66 and was dispirited. Looked for jobs, not much luck. So I accepted that unemployment was actually early retirement. Less than a year later a friend called about an opening in her agency in my field. It is a great fit: about 10-15 hours a week. I only go into the office (which is 20 minutes away) 1 x 2weeks, nearly everything can be communicated and documented by secure email and text. I miss the chatting life of more collegial time in an office, but I treasure setting my own schedule. As long as my patients get seen on time and my documentation and time sheets are on time no one 'bothers' me. I'm still contributing to society and (modestly) to family income. I have lots of time and flexibility for those ever increasing doctors' and physical therapy appointments. Gotta keep the mojo working if I want to work. My house is still a mess because neither dh nor I are neatniks and actually don't care a lot about "everything in its place". I mean, it would be nice, but it takes so much valuable time! Rouge, your days and nights will take on a shape of their own. You can nudge things however you want. Eventually a routine might emerge. My thoughts are: make new friends, keep up with old ones and participate in some sort of group activity: exercise class, bridge, book group, civic organizations. For me, they are a welcome change from being at home. I came across the seeds you sent months ago. Still in their little envelope, waiting for spring, like me.Marie