I'll second Dave's remarks here. He hasn't been in business for over thirty years by selling common plants at 'ridiculous prices'. Go check his availability lists and price compare. Oh wait, nevermind, most of his stock has no other source. Bob and Diane have had a successful 'side business' because they offer: Exceptionally rare and choice conifers Exceptionally healthy and robust specimens Consistent record of business professionalism all at a strong stock/value relationship. I've bought plants from literally a hundred nurseries but few keep me coming back like Coenosium Gardens. Nevermind that they are great people and of the 'ma and pa' style business which we all usually prefer. I have purchased many plants from Larry, some for my display gardens, some for the botanical gardens I work with and some for retail/landscaping side business I run. I've always considered it a 'privaledge' to be able to buy from Larry, and I've always had great appreciation for his hard work(and BELIEVE ME, he works HARD). I still buy plants regularly from Coenosium Gardens and other 'retail' nurseries. If he changed his policy overnight, I would understand and not cry foul. It's HIS business and I'm sure he had reasons for allowing the more 'casual' collector to buy plants from him. Bob has a very good point that the worst thing you can actually do is 'open the flood gates' to every joe off the street. This only hurts Larry and other, hard working nursery owners. Running a nursery is really a lot like running a farm. It's hard work, profits are marginal and you're really often at the mercy of mother nature. All of us, from the weekend gardener to the obsessive collector should have a greater appreciation of your regular nursery. As Bob said, these people aren't exactly drowning in money. On a final note, I wanted to say I've seen negativity on a high level 2-3 times since I've been a visitor of these forums. While that's hardly excessive I think people should step back and remember gardening is a happy, healthy hobby. If you're getting irritated or enraged about an issue on these forums, I'd recommend you turn off your computer, go outside with a cold drink, enjoy your plants - and smile. -Will

Lynn has not been with Stanley for years. She now lives in Knox County and is a very successful garden photographer. Her latest book came out a couple of years ago- Gardens Maine Style. Her work is wonderful.

I think his poetry is very much underrated - he always has something to tell us about human experience in simple lyrical language (rather like Causley who also died fairly recently) something that tells each one of us that we are not alone - our fears, anxieties, experiences are shared by others - a bandage of comfort for our pains and always relevant: The Terrible Abstractions The naked hunter's fist, bunched round his spear, Was tight and wet inside with sweat of fear; He heard behind him what the hunted hear. The silence in the undergrowth crept near; Its mischief tickled in his nervous ear And he became the prey, the quivering deer. The naked hunter feared the threat he knew: Being hunted, caught, then slaughtered like a ewe By beasts who padded on four legs or two. The naked hunter in the bus or queue Under his decent wool is frightened too But not of what his hairy forebear knew. The terrible abstractions prowl about The compound of his fear and chronic doubt; He keeps fires burning boldly all night through, But cannot keep the murderous shadows out.

Actually Elmer I think Manson was leading a religious cult. Not much different from Jim Jones really in his ability to convince his followers Armageddon was coming and he sold himself to them as being Jesus and Satan rolled into one. He convinced them they would be the only ones to survive, same as all cult leaders. Being on the west coast during the turbulent times, the sex, the sex,drugs and rock and roll era made for the perfect storm for him to gather his flock. Everyone celebrates the so called "Summer of Love" with such nostalgia and rose colored glasses. In reality the love part only lasted a couple of months before the greed, power plays and all the opportunists took over. I loved being part of the era and being able to experience it all first hand. There were some wonderful good times to be had. But the love was a gigantic farce. Everyone was using everyone else but they were all convinced that they were not the ones being used. So many predators and a lot of violence that isn't much talked about. There were plenty of of potential Charlie Mansons. He's just the one who made the headlines.