I finished Plainsong (Haruf) yesterday. It was just as I had hoped. I loved it. I thought that I had a copy of Evensong, which is a continuation of some of the same characters but a cursory look around hasn't produced it. Available at the Library though, which I'll get soon because it's an older book and the new Library Director is a mad culler. Grab it now before it disappears - just like a flea market. (many classics have met this fate too, much to my chagrin) Speaking of elephants, I'm trying to track down The Eye of the Elephant by Mark and Delia Owens. An older book that I'll try to get via interlibrary loan.

Air-pots are best for high-rain climate (38 inch. per 7 months of zone 5 growing season). It's good for drought-tolerant roses such as Dr-Huey-rootstock, and VERY THORNY roses such as Mary Magdalene or Crimson Glory (these need fast drainage). Air-pots are great to transfer own-roots into the ground: I simply take out the outer wall, and pull the roots out with zero damage. Air-pots ARE NOT good for less-rain climate since water flows out of the zillion of holes on the side of air-pots. Air-pots ARE NOT good for water-hog Austin roses, low-thorn own-roots or roses with glossy foliage .. these like it soaking wet such as regular plastic containers. Hoang Ton in constant-rain Florida has success with his 12 to 15 gallon air-pots (on wheels) with roses GRAFTED ON DR.HUEY (prefer fast drainage). I like 7-gallon air-pots for band-size or gallon own-root-roses in my heavy rain climate and flash flood. I don't like the 12.5 gallon airpots, these are VERY HEAVY and if I move them, I risk damaging the very flimsy plastic wall. Below was Purple Lodge, grown from a tiny band-size after 2 months in air-pot .. very fast root growth for own-roots. Purple lodge is more drought-tolerant so it likes the air-pot, but the water-hogs-roses refuse to bloom in drier air-pots: Below is the set-up for 7-gallon airpot. I insert the flexible rectangular wall around the base, then screw the sides together with the given screws. There are zillion of holes that water flow out during heavy rain. If I pour water too fast in the airpot, I lose lots of water coming out from its zillion of holes both at bottom and all over the side.

It has been a pleasant day and I actually got a load of washing almost dry on the lines! It has been raining for a while and the laundry basket was full and my wardrobe empty! Sunrise on the Solstice today was 7.16am and Sunset 5.13pm with the maximum at 20C/68F. Yes, Vee hot chocolate with a drop of Baileys is very warming, my nightcap of choice. I have been trying different soups too. I'll bet poor Justin Bieber is doing that as well! The snag with drinking through a straw is that I get the burps! (TMI?) Luckily I don't have an entourage so I can be as noisy as I like...

Pink Aloha had an exceptional year this year Bubble Yummin' Mama usually splotchy but pretty when not splotchy. Border Crossing Whip city You've Got What It Takes Silly Wabbit Peppy Guiding Radiance Mabou No Boys Allowed Just for Mimi Dearest Valentine I will post another couple of pinks later kay