Got my first seed catalog in the mail yesterday, or should I say last evening. The mail didn't come until a little after 6pm, and it was dark and raining. I'm not sure I'd feel safe in that small mail truck! There must have been a lot of regular drivers off for the holiday to cause such a late delivery.

Tricyrtis, Toad Lily

My basil plants morphed in to HUGE, while I was gone this summer. The one in the front got a severe pruning when I returned, and bounced back this nicely.

What a nice thought to start 2019 with. We're having a warm spell here, but the weather team says cold snaps are following. I'd rather have Spring:

Wishing you all an abundance of natures gifts in the New Year.

Giant Swallowtail

Nicole, what is the name of that flower? So beautiful. I don't think I have ever seen one before.

murraysmom Zone 6a OH

Colorado blue columbine maybe?

This is English Columbine.....blue Columbine ABOVE....a really easy perennial to grow from seed!

My garden last May. Have had gardens all my life. This one is 31 years old.

I just came in from a walk-around the property. There are daffodils in the orchard about 4" up out of the ground!

Also discovered that a large part of an old apple tree split at the trunk at ground level where three
or four trunks had formed over the years. It fell but didn’t land on any other
shrubs or trees that I can tell right now. No way will I be able to cut it up
with my little reciprocal saw, will have to call in the pros and have them cut
and take everything away. It always bloomed so pretty in the Spring.

We had crazy wind all evening and over night last night. I'm surprised I didn't see more damage by the sound of it.

Singapore garden:

Oh schoolhouse if you know anyone who smokes meat or BBQs they would probably love that apple wood. It's our favorite wood to use. Bet it would sell! Here it's pretty expensive for a small bundle.

I just took pictures of my shrimp plants. They are going crazy out there. I have never had any this prolific. They have taken over most of the bed.

Hi schoolhouse (with no fallen trees having hit the roof),

Maybe if you ask around among friends, including club, church, etc. members, you may find someone(s) with a chain saw who might be willing to cut up the partial trunk for much below commercial rate ...

... maybe even for a portion of the cut up wood produced.

As raven suggested, there may be a demand for it ... probably prefer it in short pieces.

Good luck in getting the situation resolved with minimal blood sweated out. (Cash either: might even make some).

ole joyful

I have friends with chainsaws, but they would have to be willing to haul everything else away and clean up as my brush pile is too high right now. I'm going to miss the shade and what little privacy that part of the tree clump provided down there in the summer. (see neighbor's cars beyond fence) Not too many old trees left.

In the past I've stacked wood out by the road for whomever wanted it.

Thanks, tjkeen and nicole!! Such beautiful flowers!