Thank you, Sheila. We used to be able to post pictures to the ARF right from our Flickr accounts. But, of course, if you delete your photo storage account, any communication that might still exist between the two sites is lost! I still visit the "Antique Rose Forum" from time to time, esp. during the cold winter months when I need a pick me up. I don't post much any more. I do love my gardens and my roses and have had many triumphs as well as disasters over the past five years since I did these postings in 2013. Disaster 1: I now have numerous roses that are 15 feet tall/long. 20 feet tall. And even taller and even longer. And I now realize that, although the idea of giant roses seemed romantic when they were 3 feet tall, they have created a variety of problems in my garden and I am in the process of getting rid of all my monsters except a couple of my most favorite. Disaster 2: I have hundreds of roses. From almost every class. And I have lost track of what I have and what I have lost. Disaster 3: Invasive plants: Japanese anemones. Mexican primrose. Salvia. 4 o'clocks. Sweet violet. Blue globe flower. Black-eyed Susan. And even morning glory. I find poison ivy/oak sprouting in my pots, I invite you to imagine my garden plots. Disaster 4: Thrips. And, though, I love every single one of my roses, even those I am culling, I have found after growing so many, that above all, I love my David Austin roses most. Here are some photos from this year's garden. They may not be great since they were taken with my phone. Best of luck to you in your garden. May it bring you joy and very few disasters.

In the Charlotte area you will be among tons of upstate New Yorkers. They started moving here with corporations back in the '70s. Some of the South Charlotte area, depending upon microclimates and elevations is zone 8a. Much is 7b and you can be assured of almost two full growing seasons and year round flowers. Often, we originally from the Northeast are dismayed by not being able to grow some of our favorites here because it's not cold long enough for good dormancy. You'll be happy with just how much more you can grow here vs. your zone.

in the Concord/Davidson/Mooresville area. If you are in need of pond plants, I have: pickerel rush, sweet flag, water iris, umbrella plant, cattails and common elephant ears you just need to be able to come pick them up. Let me know if you are interested. Ginger

I saved a large amount of money on a recent trip, shopped in Hickory and High Point. If I had to choose one place it would be Hickory. We purchased from many spots, The Hickory Furniture Mart and Catawaba Furniture Mall were the 2 largest. If you go to the chamber of commerce you can get a map that shows all the places and "30 miles of furniture" You should have a plan of where you will go and exactly what you are going to buy - I did a lot of research before going and had the whole trip mapped out - we stayed 5 days. You can buy a good book - "The Furniture factory outlet guide" (I'm not affilated) The book tells you where to shop and which stores to stay away from, this was my 2nd trip to NC for furniture and my 2nd time buying the book. You may want to call some places ahead and get prices over the phone to compare your local prices - just to verify it is worth the trip to "you". I think it is worth going just to see all the different furniture - and not have to pick something out of a catalog and order sight unseen! I have also heard some people think they didn't save that much - mostly (imo) because they were looking at lower end (not bad..just not the really high end stuff) furniture.