Sorry to be away for a bit and get behind on the discussion. I'm so glad there are so many Bonica fans out there! I sometimes feel it doesn't get as much respect as deserved, since it's not flashy enough to get attention as a modern, and too new to be technically an OGR (though I agree Ingrid that it fits quite well among the OGRs with its lovely open style). Catspa - the reason mine doesn't keel over from the blooms is the handy fence that ended up next to this bush - not remotely planned of course, since Bonica considerably preceded the fence, but still a very handy thing. Malorena and Mariannese - your pictures are a great testament to why we love this rose, and anything that can tempt a non-gardener to take photos of a rose is something to be proud of (and of course, your daughter is a source of joy and pride in herself). Mariannese, I agree that it was sweet as well as a terrific opportunity to meet a keeper of the Meilland tradition and complement a rose that has more than stood the test of time. I agree with your sentiments and I'm glad you got the chance to share them (did he agree?). Kes - my Elizabeth of Goshen gets no more than 3 feet or maybe 3.5 feet in a season, but undoubtedly she'd be a bit taller with more sun or a longer growing season. Even during last summer's explosion of blooms with all that surviving cane, I don't remember her getting particularly large. As for problems, the main disease in my part of the world is blackspot, and we don't get it anything like as bad as you do on the East coast, since we tend to be dry here in the Plains. Even during our heavy rains in the last few months this fall, plenty of other plants started to blackspot quite a bit and I don't remember EofG being particularly bothered. That doesn't mean she wouldn't in your zone - witness the difference in Austin rose health between our zones - but I think she has a better chance than the average Austin at doing well for you. No guarantees of course, but I'm glad you have the chance to try and I suspect it'll do nicely for you. And bellegallica, there's nothing remotely to hesitate about for your plans for those pink and orange schemes. Nothing 60's about it - Marie Daly is such an understated pink that she needs a few gaudy marigolds to wake her up a bit. Put a few purple salvias to tie them together and you have a photo opportunity waiting to happen, not to mention bee paradise. Go ahead - do it and post us some pictures! Cynthia

also you can download the free belarc advisor which will scan your pc and give you an excellent list of everything that is on your pc including the memory, the type you have installed how many slots you have on the pc and if you have any open slots etc, it is something I advise everyone to do and keep a print out of the list in case they ever need it when the pc is not working. Belarc Advisor you can use the crucial page also but you do not have to buy from them. I buy my memory from newegg.com I find their prices are excellent, usually go with kingston brand. Replacing or adding RAM is easy to do, there are some great guides online with pictures and also if you go to youtube and search for installing ram you will find video tutorials. Belarc will also tell you what kind of hard drive connections you have so you would know what you need to buy if you were to replace it. Installing Desktop Memory Modules

Guy, Thanks for the info you posted on Garden Web. It addresses a concern that I have and perhaps you can give me a direction or recommendation. I am in the NW Chgo metro area, and have a quote from Pella in Barrington for 5 Designer Series casements (total 12 sashes) that includes their installation services. The quote does not detail product from labor charges. I asked if the store was independently owned, and was told that they were owned by Pella. That made me question why their installation is only warranted for 2 years, as the products' 20 year warranty is void for improper installation. Over the last 25 years, I've had 3 Designer Pella patio doors and 4 windows installed by a very qualified independent contractor (who is no longer available). He was very experienced carpenter, I know he installed the products without Pella's clips - I believe attaching directly to the frame. In addition to a quality installation, I also had a significant cost savings as I was able to purchase the windows using the contractor's discount. I have no way of knowing what is the experience and quality of work of the Pella contractors who would do the work - I only know that the warranty will be void if Pella can blame any warranty issue on poor installation. The Pella in Barrington has not been willing to price the product without cost of their installation. I checked with Lowe's, now selling the Designer, and found they have no knowledge of the product, and not enough experience to know that they have no knowledge, and only gave me much frustration. I also contacted an exterior remodeler who markets Pella, and was told that all my new Pella's will be stocked sized; on reviewing product features with this business, I could tell that they were not knowledgeable on the product. Pella in Barrington stated their windows are customed sized as needed so that I will not be reducing window size, important to me. All sashes are approx 65" long, 3 will be 24" wide and the remaining 9 are 28" wide. Due to service/labor warranty discrepency, stock vs. custom size determination, and an inability to get product only pricing, I am unable to make an informed decision. I thank you for your time reading my concern, and hope you can give suggestion.

air infiltration is the most important number in a double hung window. You want a window with an air leakage rate of .06 or lower. Also, a Ufactor of .28 or lower. When looking at Ufactor always make sure it corresponds to a Condensation Resistance number ( CR ) of 58 or higher. BEWARE of any window that gets a .22 Ufactor with only double pane glass; guarantee the Condensation Resistance number will be only 50 or lower. Stay away from that. If you want an R5 window, get triple pane. You say you dont want to spend on a good window? Thats kind of impossible, a good window will always be a bigger investment but TRUST ME, no matter how high you pay, it will still be much cheaper than buying a cheap window. Look at Okna, Soft Lite, Sunrise, or Kensington. If you are in the northeast, they are basically the only vinyl windows i will endorse and for good reason, they are all solid as a rock. Stay far away from Mi windows, silverline, pella, and the other junk.