Part one I have a friend whose parents were among the founding members of the botanical society here, her name is Martina and she loves all growing things. Her mother passed away in 1996 and the botanical names of many of the plants she inherited are unknown to her although she grew up with them. Her parents are Austrian and called their plants by their Austrian names, sometimes translating the Austrian to English. When I first met her 4 years ago when she was dating my friend Charles. He brought her over one late afternoon for a visit, she'd brought a staggeringly beautiful plant with her that had been on my want list for a long time. Charles had it with him, he took her to the backyard and came to the door with one of it's flowers in his hand. I couldn't believe it when I saw him standing there, and tried to take the bloom, he was holding it out. He pulled it back and asked me what it was in a kind of challenging way. I thought he knew what it was and was testing me, lol, I said "It's a Gloriosa "Rothschildiana" of course!" Welllll, it wasn't a test, Martina really wanted to know and was such a warm, adorable, lovely person that we bonded almost instantly. Down through the years we've just gotten closer and closer. I love her to pieces. I wish I'd known her mother, she sounds like a rather wonderful humanbeing. I did meet their mutual friend, Nell, who is another wonderful and unique individual. Martina's a hero for introducing us. Her plants are amazing and she is passionate about them, and about life in general. She's 73 years young and can outwork most men I know. She's tough and knowledgeable and compassionate all at the same time. I think the world of this lady. Part two About the same time I met Nell I found Gardenweb and hooked up with a member in Mobile. We hit it off instantly, we had a lot in common and each was doing things that complimented the other. She's so wonderful, I don't know how to tell you how much I think of her. She's beautiful and smart, frank and earnest, honorable and ingenious. Our first meeting was at the botanical gardens' fall sale, we had a great time because we were kind of kept busy answering the questions of the other shoppers there, we didn't get much shopping done, lol. She went back on the last day of the sale, she knew the left-over plants would be marked down. One of the plants that hadn't sold, marked at $8 a gallon, was a bunch of Clivia miniata, it was marked at $2. a gallon. Ginny already had plenty of clivias, including some nice yellows, but she was knowledgeable enough to know that she shouldn't pass up an opportunity like that so she bought a couple to give as gifts, one was for an old friend, the other was for me! I couldn't believe it, I had wanted one for sooooo long, it was such a sweet, thoughtful thing to do and I hope she knows how much she means to me. I've had this clivia ever since, it's such a nice plant, such lovely long, orchid-like foliage. The whole growth...

Hell All, Thrilled to see a thread on Trellis Yarn, just started this shawl over the week-end, inspired by the shawl a friend knitted and was wearing at a luncheon. She has completed one in every color. It is tricky getting started, I've made three attempts; now its going pretty good, but just discovered a dropped stitch!! threejsmom thanks for the suggestion to change to circular needles, going to pick up them up today, and also tackle the dropped stitch. I'm new to the Knitting Forum, I usually lurk on the houseplants, orchids, etc forum. law

Mary, I'm so sorry for your loss. My husband died suddenly in his sleep in May 2011 at age 53. He wasn't sick, but he wasn't too healthy, either. He had terrible sleep apnea that he didn't treat and his heart stopped at some point during the night. I found him on the couch the next morning, looking very peaceful. For several months I really didn't believe it - it was like he was just away somewhere. The tragedy of it all slowly started to sink in. I went back to work in the weeks following and that took my mind off it a little, and I had to make a living too - I couldn't stay in bed if I wanted to - my employer was understanding and said to take all the time I needed, but if I don't produce I don't get paid so I had to move forward at least at work. I think, at least for me, that getting my mind into work kept me from going off the deep end of despair. I don't remember a whole lot about last summer, though. Widow Brain, they call it. I had and still have great support from my two children (he was their much loved stepfather), and friends and family that call me and take me out often. But I miss him terribly! He & I also had plans for the future - the kids were just out of college and on their own, and we thought we were starting our next chapter. Now it's just me. I get out and around other people, but I also spent (still do) a lot of time at home by myself so I can cry all I want. It's a very physical release not just emotional. My heart actually aches. But for me it is very cleansing to wail and howl and let it out when it comes. In the month or two after the funeral it was so hard for me to write the thank you notes -- I cried so uncontrollably that I'm surprised the neighbors didn't call the cops. I never did find a support group except forums online, so I don't know how it is for everyone. I'm getting through. The holidays were difficult of course, but as the new year progressed I was getting a little bit better, maybe not crying so much. And then, Valentine's Day. It's not like G ever made a big deal of it, but he was my Honey and when someone at work said "Happy Valentine's Day" to me I lost it and I did not expect that to happen. I was a sad mess all day long. You just never know what will set you off. I'm comparatively young in the widow world, and I know that I'm lucky that I always was an independent person and that I can afford my house if I'm careful, so I don't have to move right now. I'm a naturally positive thinker and not prone to depression and I think that helps a lot too. From what anyone who has been through this tells me each person handles it their own way and no way is right or wrong. Some people might "get over it" soon and some maybe never. I don't know if I'm any help to you but I want you to know that you are not alone. Jean

I admit watching good TV is one of my favorite hobbies, and I look forward to checking out these recommendations. I second Episodes with Matt Lablanc. I also loved Enlightened on HBO with Laura Dern, quirky character and heartwarming. I also enjoyed Jimmy Carter Rock n Roll President on Netflix (I'm a Georgian) and the documentary Crip Camp, a great story about birth of disability rights movement.