Pyrgal, That is so sweet!!! He truly has a wonderful sense of humour when it comes to gardening, outdoing us at every turn. He showed me who's the gardening boss when He sowed a wild white Thalictrum in my (or is it His?) hosta garden a couple of years ago. After identifying it the first year, I thought it would look nice if only it was taller, didn't need support, and bloomed for a long time. This year it has topped 6 feet, has no support, and has been blooming for a month now. He's GOOD!! The picture is a bit blurry, but you get the idea.

At the time of Canada's hundredth anniversay in 1967, our son was about 5-1/2 and daughter about 2-1/2 and Sue and I went with MIL to Montreal to share in the great experience: I'd have loved to have taken our children, had they been a bit older and could have appreciated it. But that was more of an experience than an adventure. I've encouraged our children to have a wide-ranging, adventurous spirit and to be curious about this wonderful world in which we live. Daughter went on an exchange scholarship to Germany near the end of High School, and enjoyed it ... including travelling to various parts of Europe and to North Africa. When they were about 10 and 7 they drove with me from southern Ontario to Thunder Bay, at the north end of Lake Superior, then flew back home alone while I travelled to the Prairies. As I consider this, I regret that I did not take them on more venturesome activities - but they have been involved in such things, on their own. Folks who lack a venturesome spirit ... ... miss out on a lot of interesting, challenging and memorable experiences in life. Broaden your horizons, folks ... you'll find when you go to various parts of the world, including rather primitive places, that folks are friendly ... and generous. Many who have little have a less acquisitive - and more friendly - spirit. ole joyful.

I may be old, or just prejudiced, but I think young folks have really missed so much humor from the days when humor was really funny, not hurtful or dirty. The days of carol Burnett, red Skelton, Phyllis diller....when comedians had to be funny as they couldn't just drop the f bomb and get a laugh. I still remember one day we were going to the mall and public radio had an old broadcast of Phyllis diller telling this story about her drivIng....well we got to the mall and sat in the car for another 15 minutes roaring our fool heads off as the story just got funnier as it went on....such a pleasure! Somehow dumb and dumber can't compare. And posting in a nonprofessional way is a good way to keep yourself from getting your dream job...more and more employers are using those venues as part of their interview process. Thanks for Mrs. Brown...that was very funny. If you haven't seen this, you're in for a real treat! Here is a link that might be useful: Mr. Bean Xmas turkey

Sueb, your little trophy guy looks like he'd get along well with Columbia. dianamo, thanks, it was originally a coin holder but I mounted it on a board and drilled a few holes between the fingers for drainage. I feed BOSS, and the birds really do sit and eat out of my hands. MOL matches the one in the windowbox on the other side of the house, which is from a real mannequin. Back inside, one of my favorite little guys is Woody. He's been in every room in the house, and is a huge hit with my niece when she comes to visit. (He does a lot of yoga when she's around.) ;^)