The few people who have my info I trust, we have shared both directions. I would hope my husband would be able find his way here to post if something happens. But it might not occur to him. So having a friend here who could contact him is a good idea. The plus of Linners having my address is I get the most beautiful and unique cards in my mailbox! My happy mail!

Notwithstanding the tragedies that have occurred in N. California... I feel I must say something in defence of Eucalyptus trees, at least the ones we grow here, and which many of us love and put to good use... ...There are I think 3 varieties that have been popular for a long time... Eucalyptus gunnii, Eucalyptus dalrympleana and perhaps the most attractive of all Eucalyptus pauciflora ssp. niphophila [Snow Gum].... ...you can see any of these pop up in gardens all over the place... I've grown 2 of the 3... We now also have 2 dwarf versions, Eucalyptus gunnii 'Azura' and 'France Bleu'... ..'Azura' is very dwarf, almost a miniature... 'FB' is larger but very slow growing, a dwarf gunnii.. I would love to have 'Azura' and might be on my shopping list... The way to use gunnii I think is to give screening to a garden where you are overlooked by a neighbouring property that is on higher ground. A single specimen tree will do, it grows 6 foot a year, so within 2 years or so you start to have cover. It's crucial with this plant to cut 6 foot off the top with one incision every year in April, when it has reached just beyond the height you need for screening... if you miss a year it gets away from you and you have lost control.... I also used my plant to support a rambling rose... I grew 'Leontine Gervais' up it right to the top, where it would then cascade downwards, more so after the annual prune... the light pink and the blue foliage I found very attractive.. ..I also planted Cistus purpureus around the base and a tree lupin... gardeners here don't make enough use of these trees like this.. they plant them, neglect them, and before you know it, you've got a 40 foot tall tree on your hands.. there is one in a garden near me, it's about the tallest tree around here, perhaps 60 foot or more, that is just not the way to do it in my opinion.. used to best effect as single specimens, these are superlative trees, and I absolutely love them... I do not like to see them planted en masse, like a small wood [there are some here like that]... I'm so sorry, and was not aware, they had been over planted in California and that they have contributed to the fires..

Wondering how her renovation project is going and wanting to see more pictures.

I am with Sheila on this one. I’ve been a member of other forums where a member died, and relatives were always gracious if the inquiry was respectful and sincere. Each time, they were pleased that the deceased was so well liked in a online community and relayed some details they wanted the forum to know about the deceased. I had found Merlena’s home and cell numbers and tried to call them. The home just kept ringing, the cell was answered by a man who did not know her. So I have no further leads. But had she answered I would have just said I was BenT on the rose forum and a bunch of us hadn’t heard from her and were hoping she and her garden were well. That’s all.