Thank you everyone! I haven't noticed any hummer activity at the lobelia, we don't have that many around here and the neighbor feeds them with her feeder. I'm sure they pop by them when I'm not around. I did see a butterfly at the purple lobelia. The bees are enjoying the helenium and the agastache and echinacea planted near it. The camera I use is a Sony Mavica MVC CD-400, an older camera but works alright. I'd rather have a newer one with more mega pixels, this has 4, but it was free so I'll use it until I wear it out. That little green and black bug reminds me of a miniature dinosaur. I'm going to have to search and find out what it is. Karen

When I came home from my DDs today, I was greeted by a Question Mark butterfly fluttering around the trees in my yard. What a nice sighting! It was up in the 60s here today, and will be tomorrow. Char-Char and I wandered around the backyard today and I noticed the Henbit was beginning to bloom, as well as the little blue blooms of the Speedwell. Looking at my yard, the Mullein's big, grey-green foliage is green still - it usually is evergreen here - as is the Mountain Mint, Rosemary, Oregano and the Fennel is putting up new foliage, too. The old Honeysuckle vine has a bit of new foliage on it, and that's about all for now. Oh, the Azaleas are evergreen varieties. They were here when I moved in, so I don't know what kind they are. It's still January, after all. We just really, really need some moisture in whatever form it chooses. We are currently on water rationing because the lakes, ponds and rivers are down so much. Susan

Hello Gill, Sharon, Penny, Kathi,Rob, Chris, Josh, Andrew,Tim, Marquest, and Collen!@:-) Thanks for your kind words and Y.W! It has been a long haul this winter, but we are getting by one day at a time. I feel bad for our friends in Europe. I am glad the sun is feeling much warmer these days.Wow! Did anyone here about Whitney Houston? That is very very sad. Rob: I keep all but the yellower ones under lights. Those are the Hummel Sunsets and Red Horn tree. They bring me much joy seeing them revert from green to color, again and again. Chris: I shall have to check out e-mail now that I am feeling a bit better. I will get back to you for sure:-) How are your jade cuttings coming along? The Orchid show was a blast. Expensive plants though. Ouch! I will link you up. Let's hope I don't influence anyone to try them doing this.lol Josh: Yes. Ever since you told me to fertilize it has been taking off. It will soon be big enough to trim:-)) That 4th picture down in one that a special friend sent me as a gift a year back. I pruned off that piece from the mature plant to propagate because she said that it would be hard to find. I don't remember the name though and she is with cancer. I can't reach her to ask because she has been in the hospital. I feel so bad. Josh, you would of LOVED the show too. None of those Cattleya's were as splendid as yours though. The coloring in yours is quite spetacular! I will snap a shot of the 'Sinkagetsu,' for you tonight:-0) Kathi: You are not kidding.lol Again thanks for being good people here everyone and I appreciate all you do on these forums! I can't wait till this not so hot feeling passes. I think I have been over doing it with swimming and working out everyday, working 3 jobs, and taking care of my Mom. Time for a trip to sunny Florida to see Nancy or Virginia to see Laura, anywhere the sun feels great and the weather is much warmer sitting by a pool with nothing to do but rest! Mike;-) Here is a link that might be useful: Orchid show pics

Thanks folks, glad you enjoyed my bright spot today. :) Ellie, I've lost so many buds to this drought, I can't tell you how many empty scapes I've cut off, some will give me 1, maybe 2 blooms if I'm lucky, then others drop all their buds. It's heartbreaking watching the buds shrivel up and drop off. I hope you don't lose as many as I have. :( Jan