"Progress". Years ago, our area was the same. This development was built in the late 60's on the outskirts of town and even though it basically still is, the landscape is changing all the time. There was nothing but fields and forest around here years ago. Now there's one development further out than us and more going up here and there all over the place. In the process more land was taken on top of the land used to expand roads and highways. It's not so bad where we've lost some of our typical nature sounds like our robins, owls, cardinals, cicadas and so on, but the feel is different. They tore down an old factory by the river 8 or so years ago that was supposed to remain as a park area where we used to see plenty of ducks, gulls and geese but it didn't take long for them to commercialize it with a restaurant, some shops, the obligatory CVS and leave us not forget the primo riverfront townhouses and condos. What I can't get over are the bloody drugstores. I grew up in a town that had a Rexall downtown on the corner. (Must be getting old. Spell check told me Rexall is spelled wrong.) Now, it's like some huge pharmacy giant just walks through the country, squats, and drops a CVS or Walgreen's here, there or wherever. The other thing that gets me about that is, whenever one builds the other is sure to build somewhere nearby.

Susan, what happy news! Congratulations, best wishes and hugs to you and Joey and Leanne. That is just wonderful. And if you think it's going to be odd to see a wedding ring on your son's finger just wait until you're all out in public and someone says "Hi Mrs. ....." and you turn your head only to find out they're speaking to your DIL. I think it must give you a great deal of satisfaction knowing that they're now officially on their journey together. Oh I do hope they had someone take photographs. I can't imagine that they wouldn't mark this momentous occasions without arranging for some photos. And I'm looking forward to seeing them. Maire

'Mrs. Oakley Fisher' does not get much mention, despite having one of the handsomest bushes of any hybrid tea (shapely, well-clothed, red stems) and being a good bloomer. Perhaps because it is a single? But the blooms are enchanting! And scented. (That's her in my icon to the left and another below). 'Souvenir de Pierre Notting' blooms are very full, yellow in cool weather and pink in warm weather. The photos below were taken during a very hot July, with many days over 100F, so it can also be noted that his heat resistance is superb. SdPN is a very nice tea, good bloomer, too. 'Mrs. Oakley Fisher', June 26, 2013: 'Souvenir de Pierre Notting', July 4, 2013 'Souvenir de Pierre Notting', July 29, 2013 (yes, still in bloom)

Phyllis; I have hummingbirds everywhere! It's so nice to sit under the "feeder tree" and watch them. I keep one feeder in the next-door neighbor's yard, one in the across-the-street neighbor's yard, and right now I have two in my big tree and one on a shepard's hook near the sewing room window. I can see all the feeders from my shaded "perch." I can sit out there and watch them drink, perch, preen, and flit from feeder to another, screeching bloody murder as they chase one another away. They are such a hoot!