Cynthia, I was going to write the exact same thing about Berrypie's WS2000! It's far too rare of a rose to just ditch. I have one from the year it was introduced, but it's elderly and not doing great. Unlike my The Prince, who has been growing great for >20 years, and who I've been able to spread around to trading partners very well. Anyway, I'm trying to baby my WS2000 along so I can make cuttings of it. I've tried a number of cuttings over the past few years, with no success. Berrypie, just consider sending your WS2000 to someone who will cherish it and propagate it, preferably Cynthia :-D

Cynthia and Susan - I agree WS2000 is a rare beauty . I meant he's off my buy list at High Country for next year, too big and thorny for my tiny yard . I really hoped to get William but I must begin now to be practical. If my apartment manager ever wanted WS2000 moved or taken out , this old lady would be hard pressed to wrestle with the bard . One year when painters came, I frantically fastened shower curtains with clothes pins to my rose bushes, they still got painted. I'm getting too old for rose antics.

Cynthia do you want me to send you a blueberry pie instead ?

They are a glorious color Kitty .

Diane, remember ice cold green bottles of Coke ... hands down that's the most outrageous Young Lycidas with Angel Face on the planet - that is I was assuming it's on Earth.

Kitty, The Prince is the weird bloom hollering help. He's all over the map in color. I do love him and thanks for your comment. Your Cartonnage is gorgeous and I'd stick with just it. Was it HMF where the photo, one is all they had I thought, is not impressive of Q of N. I'll check again. My mental image of a rose named Queen of the Night is one that is extremely dark. I love that aria so much. Diane

Lorenzo d' Medici, or the Black Prince Edward, or maybe, The Queen of the Night

WOW

Kitty, I checked HMF again for the photo of Q of N. There is just one and it looks pretty good, but not as good as your Cartonnage. If it were I, I'd stick with just Cartonnage, and go on to other roses later. The rose I'm most impressed with today is Double Ambre, a beautiful soft orange rose with an Austin rose's bloom structure. I think Jalbert in Canada bred it. Does Palatine have that one? More checking......Diane

Have you seen this video Diane

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukRqySExzN4

Berry, those little bottles are how I first drank Coke, and often from some weird gas station's bottle dispenser. The last time I drank Coke from bottles, it was from the huge bottle (two quart of something), and you had to return the bottles. What a pain. I believe it was in the first half of the 1980s. In 1985, Coke brought out the disastrous New Coke in cans, a corporate muck up for the ages. I bought a garage full of the giant bottles of the "old" Coke, and by the end of the summer, New Coke was toast, and I still had a few of the bottles in the garage. But, sadly, it was Coke Classic in cans from them on. Exception: the Coke from Mexico made with cane sugar that I can get in bottles at Corona Village restaurant in Boise. But that is a rare treat. Thank you so much for your comment on Young Lycidas. He's kind of temperamental. When he is good, etc. Have you read John Milton's poem, Young Lycidas. Horribly boring poem about a dying youth. Diane

A few more Young Lycidas

Darn poppies are all done in this pic.

Berry, Elena sent me that link of Double Ambre, so I'd seen it earlier tonight. That's what got me enthused. Thanks, though. Diane

Dble Ambre looks like a close double for Masora

Yes I've read the Lycidas poem but not recently. My Grandmother had a book of Longfellow's poems that got me started very young on loving horribly boring poetry. The longer the poems the better for pressing flowers in.

Kitty - ooooh!! Yes!! Queen of the Night...I'm excited to see how she does for you!! This rose resonates with you and your son...well, at least the name does. :) Yes, Pavoratti!! It would have to be a big bloom. Yup, I'm ready to order! You're right...the two roses are indistinguishable to me. If Cartonnage has a great fragrance, maybe you don't want to get QotN?? But, it is a Palatine rose.

Diane - mmmm...I had Nectar of the Gods today. Love that stuff!! I want to eat what you eat!! We had a roast, broccoli (blech), mushrooms, yorkies (YUM) and gravy. I love your penultimate picture of YL...oh my!!! SWOON over your WBY (I love it even more than I do The Prince.)!!!! I'm excited to see how mine will do next year. Tamora is making sure that the roses are not freaking out. lol Oh my GOODNESS!!!! Are those more The Prince blooms (Black Prince Edward?)?? The darkness of the purple is unbelievable!!!! SWOON!!!! You are so right...Double Ambre is wonderful looking!!! Your 2nd pic of YL (last grouping) may be the most beautiful rose I've EVER seen!!!! SWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!!!!!

Cynthia - I get it. Blackberry pie? No thanks. Blueberry pie...darn tootin'!! I hate being disappointed by food. lol

rosecanadian your words " may be the most beautiful rose I've EVER seen!!!! " is exactly what went through my mind when I saw that photo of Young Lycidas. Considering we've seen so many roses, it's pretty astounding.

Now I'm wondering if original Coke is the best nectar I've ever tasted , can you imagine the two together -things go better with Coke.

Queen of the Night is for a coloratura soprano. I don't think Pavarotti sang that. Pero muchas gracias a Berry y Carol con Coke de Mexico para mi Young Lycidas y The Prince. Diane

Thanks for the video of Double Amber. Even before I saw the video I had switched out Back in Black for it. I will try and pickup Rouge Royal locally for a good dark red

Alas, Young Calendula has fallen and is blooming no more. Low of 20F last night. Diane

RIP

Double Amber is a clear example of poor marketing on Palatine's part. They chose the least flattering photo to feature as the main image and failed to highlight that the vase life exceeds a week, resulted people are missing this rose.

Elena, I’m sure it will sell out crazy fast just like all their roses do!

Berrypie - mmmm...that red can of nectar!!

Diane - de nada. :) Your Calendula were amazing in their longevity!! WD and RIP.

Diane -- what beautiful calendula! I'm sorry they've bitten the dust, but they did hang on pretty long. We've finally got freezing temps here, as well, and the ginkgo trees planted along the city streets dropped all their leaves overnight like they usually do, carpeting the sidewalks (and parked cars) in their golden leaves. Your Young Lycidas is dreamy.

The Double Ambre I got from J&P this fall has been so vigorous -- setting several buds and sending up two basal canes, which now have buds on them, as well. I expect I'll have blooms within the next couple weeks and will post pics here. Its initial blooms did last a very long time on the bush, so I'm not surprised to hear it's known for a good vase life, as well.

Hello Friends -- once again, I've been AWOL. I heard from someone asking if I'm okay. I haven't been okay! My lovely little friend, my best buddy, and "heartbeat at my feet" has crossed the rainbow bridge. I can't even type this without bursting into tears. I've also been away at a conference, and still recovering from my injured achilles. But, being an optimist at heart (or an Enneagram 7), I am working hard to reframe the past few months. First, I'm thankful I got another year with my dog after his heart valve failed. The miracle drug, pimobendan, gave him more time, during which he was happy, if a little slower. We had time to do his favorite things and see his favorite people. And, the achilles injury has forced a "rest" on me in many ways, something I needed after a very stressful 4 years. I also had a biopsy on two large thyroid nodules, but they were clear, and my annual mammogram was also clear, so I have much to be thankful for. Sorry for being a downer! But I do consider many of you my friends, even if we've never met face-to-face, and I feel bad for not being in touch.

In a happier vein - I went with a friend to the Otto & Sons Rose Harvest last week -- on the day before Thanksgiving you can come with one bucket and your own secateurs and clip as many roses as you can fit in your bucket! I pulled into the parking area @ 8:02 (they opened at 8), but I got one of the last parking places around the back side, where I've never had to park before. I guess next year I will have to be there 1/2 an hour early! Anyway - I filled my bucket, but my friend with a smaller bucket probably got 2x the roses! I think I am impatient and less thorough. I had my heart set on several roses that are in a cottage area, but that area was off limits for cutting. Apparently, some people (throat clearing) posted on social media last year all their wonderful cuttings and a particular rose breeder said they didn't want people illegally growing their roses...so... Anyway -- it was a lovely day and I had lots of pretty flowers for Thanksgiving Day. I'm a nincompoop when it comes to arranging them, however, so I can't say my vases looked at all that great.

While walking through the lot of roses for sale (at 50% off!), I came across a new rose that was just gorgeous and fully in bloom (Morning Glow). I'll post some photos in a moment. I also picked some Young Lycidas, and I will show you two blooms -- before it fully bloomed and after. I'll rely on Diane to tell me if that's typical, or if I had a unique one. And in the frenzy of trying to get the "good" roses before they were all gone, I lost track of which roses were which, and there are some lovely, long-lasting ones, but I have no idea what they were! And, you'll laugh about this, a woman was bent down getting a rose, and I went high to get a good one, and I had to pull it down a bit. When I snipped it, it sprang back up, and dumped a ton of water on the woman below. She had on a rain coat, so I don't think I ruined her clothes, and I immediately apologized profusely. She didn't even speak, just glowered. Then later I heard her telling someone I was so rude. Honestly, it was an accident. And it wasn't a cold day.

I'll stop talking now and try to catch up on some of your news. I've missed you.
His Last Day at the Beach:

Bouquets Lined Up From Otto & Sons:

The Big Bouquet:

Young Lycidas:

Morning Glow at Otto & Sons:

Oh, Deborah. {{{{{HUGS}}}}} I'm soooo sorry about your Sheltie. I'm sorry, I can't remember his name. My black poodle died 4 weeks ago...my heart was broken. I know how you're feeling. You gave him the best of life and all of your heart. You will see him again. One of my past poodles reached out to me many years ago after she had died. So I know you'll see your guy again. Oh, Deborah...this is an excruciating time. I'm SO sorry. {{{{{hugs}}}}} again.

DDinSB (Z10b Coastal CA)--I'm very sorry for your loss. Nothing compares to the grief of losing a beloved dog and best friend. Take care of yourself, and I hope you can find the time and space you need to grieve. I'm a cryer myself, and I just let the tears flow when I need to. I'm glad you were able to give your dog such a good quality of life at the end.

It's nice to hear your report from Otto's annual rose-cutting event. I enviously see photos of the event every year on Otto's Instagram and wish I could be there. (I also think their dog, Shasta, is adorable.) But I'm not sure I could get myself to wake up that early! I hadn't been familiar with Morning Glow, but wow, it's exquisite. I wouldn't be fazed by some "rose water" being dumped on me if I could snip such beautiful blooms.

Deborah, I'm sorry to hear about Sum-Sum, Mr Something Pants and I can't remember his other names. Carol, that's why you can't remember his name - he had so many. It's a miserable time. Good to hear that your tests were clear and that you're up and around again. Is your Achilles completely healed? Morning Glow is lovely. As if you'd ever be rude to anyone. The woman has a problem.

Must go now. Handymen here soon and I'm still in bed.

Thank you, Carol, Titian, Windowsill. I appreciate your kind thoughts and comments. Carol, Titian is right that he had so many names! Officially -- Summer Nights. Most often Summer or Sum Sum. And I'm so sorry to hear you just lost your poodle. That's why you're thinking of another dog. Any news on that front? I don't think I can get another dog. The pain of losing them is too great! My good friend lost her beloved cat, Wendell Berry, a few years ago. He was long-lived, all black, huge. At the end she had to keep him hydrated with the subcutaneous fluids, and I filled in for her when she was out of town a couple of times. He was a wonderful cat. After he passed, she started volunteering at the local cat shelter, and now provides hospice care for their senior cats and terminal cats that can't really be adopted out. And she does shifts on the holidays at the shelter so that the workers can be home with their families. She's a saint, for sure. But I don't think I could do what she does!

Just caught up on some news above -- Kristine -- I'm just amazed at how much Azalea has grown. And so lovely. Pretty tree, too! All this excitement over Palatine Roses. I was eyeing their Black Caviar, but it disappeared from their website. I've seen Dylan at Otto & Sons (in the garden, but they don't sell it), and I'm sorely tempted by it. But it's not really fragrant. I really cannot possibly fit any more roses in at this point, and I've already decided on who gets shovel/pruned to make room for other roses -- and I will still have 10 left over for pots. Ack.

Cynthia -- how awful to look forward to your favorite pie for DAYS and then get something different. I was going to make my favorite cherry pie, but a friend gave me a whole pie from a gourmet baker called triple berry, with a crumb kind of topping/bottom. So I didn't make the cherry. Then I tasted the berry -- and while I'm sure it was delicious, it wasn't what I wanted. So I gave two slices away and then told my husband he could have the rest of the pie. But I claimed the last two slices of the pumpkin I'd made! I think it was my best pumpkin pie ever. I've adapted the recipe from Cook's Illustrated. And I double the spice. But then you put it all through a sieve so that you don't end up with globs or nuggets or grains of spice. It's very smooth and quite nice. Plus, I use their foolproof pie dough recipe (with vodka). Maybe I'll make a cherry pie at Christmas.

Diane -- your Young Lycidas is so beautiful. Did you say he can be a temperamental grower? I think I may get him, since my attempts to get him last year failed. I still have three roses coming from DA -- Evelyn, Gentle Hermione, and Eustacia Vye.

Wow, this conversation thread moves so quickly! That's a testament to the great people chiming in. Thanks for the input about WS2000 - I have it on my HCR list too, and I agree that he needs a personal commitment to make him work. I appreciate your generosity in allowing me to have dibs on the castoff Susan, but since that isn't the case you don't have to sacrifice anything.

Berrypie - thanks for the offer of sending a pie :). I can buy another Village Piemaker pie that I DOUBLE CHECK is blueberry any time. I was just frustrated by the expectation and letdown. I'll do a blueberry pie at Christmas.

If you want Double Amber, Sweet Hilltop Farm has it now and it's pretty reasonable. They're based in Oklahoma

Cynthia

Deborah, I sent you a little note a few minutes ago. I was so sorry to hear your news about Sum Sum. He is still with you--just in a different way. Always. And, yes, your friend is a saint.....How wonderful to have Otto's close by, and for them to offer the public buckets of roses. They look beautiful, especially that big bouquet. You did a terrific job on that one, so much better than my plonks. Young Lycidas isn't a temperamental grower, but some years he blooms a lot more than others. This year our heat seemed to get to him. And at the beginning of the season, the deer ate about half of him and his neighbor, Angel Face. Mammal pests are much worse for me than any insect. And I think you have that problem, too. I hope you have a chance to visit those gardens you mentioned. Are there any in particular in California that are must visits for you? Diane

Late October 2023, the last of Lycidas. His scent is one of the best.

So sorry to hear of the loss of your beautiful dog, Deborah. I always cry when pets die as well. I cried when I was a young child over every little creature that died and always thought that when I grow up, I would grow out of that. Nope. I still cry easily over lots of things. Give yourself some time. Great news that your tests showed clear!! Ah, every time you talk about Otto and Sons I get more determined to visit there myself. It sounds like a wonderful place. I’ll stay away on the big bouquet day, though, as I don’t enjoy crowds and glowering people. I prefer to go when it’s a quiet day.

For those of you wanting Double Ambre, it was available at J&P. It might be sold out now? I snagged one a few weeks ago along with Golden Zest, Brass Band and Double Easy Orange. I’m super excited for this batch of roses!

My husband and I have been working outside again off and on the last two weeks. The weather has been phenomenal! We had several hard frosts in the low twenties several weeks back and since then it’s been so beautiful I can hardly stay inside! We finished another 25 ft section of the rock wall. We have about 75 feet left to do now. This last section was part of a 90 degree corner and I had most of the edging and prep work done for the planting area this corner provides. We poured a slab in that area for the doghouse for Max the beagle, my son’s beloved pet. Today we put the doghouse in place just beside the doggie door we made in the wall and I’m very pleased with the results! I’m also pleased with the fact that this area is a shady, protected area where I can finally grow hydrangeas. I have five coming in the mail this week, Limelight Prime, Bobo, Puffer Fish, Gatsby Pink and Let’s Dance Arriba ( such a funny name!) I have an elephant ear plant to put in that shady corner as well, so I just need a few nice silver plants for edging to tuck here and there to brighten everything up. And no, I didn’t think to take any pictures because I was so busy installing the watering system there and it was almost dark till I finished. But I’m heading to Peru with my husband next week for a nieces wedding and wanted to have everything easy for my daughter to care for while I’m gone. So now that’s done.

Judi! You're going to Peru!? How marvelous. I hope you have a wonderful time. I'd like to go there someday. Your garden is going to be just amazing when you're finished planting and building. Where do you live in AZ? My impressions of AZ changed a lot when my dad got a little place near Showlow, at White Mountain Lake. And when I stayed in Flagstaff. Thank you for your kind message.

Diane -- you're a flatterer. My plonks are usually far below the standards on this forum! Maybe I should take a class.

Okay -- just posting a few photos that I've been saving up for you, then I will stop. Promise.

Rose Hips were amazing on this one: Purple Pavement (what a weird name -- it's a Rugosa) at Otto & Sons in October:

Distant Drums at Otto:

Mill on the Floss at Otto

Two new roses for me -- Sitting Pretty and Sespe Sunrise (purchased in October, still in pots):

Yes, Diane, I have !@#$# mammals eating my garden. In this case, the tomatoes.

Deborah -- Between your and Trish's pictures of Sespe Sunrise, I'm obsessed.

I agree. That photo of Sespe Sunrise is exquisite. The bloom looks enormous, too. I wish I could be so enthused about those four legged burglars you caught red footed. They got to my tomatoes a couple of times, too. I've succeeded in building up plant blockades in back that have cut down a lot on deer depredation. Six feet deep of lavender, then butterfly bushes, large boxwood, and, of course, the monster snowball. It's pretty messy, but helps, and my garden is a mess, anyway. It's so cold now the thought of going out to clean up is chilling-ha. It is 25F currently. Time for a pumpkin cookie to cheer me up. Diane

Part of my lavender blockade from 2024.

Well your lavender blockade is gorgeous. And probably smells good to boot. What do you do when you do clean up? hedge trimmer?

Clean up? Well, the wind blows a lot of it downhill, and that helps. I don't think I even trimmed the lavender last year. It even rebloomed some. All that lavender was from little passalong starts from my friend Elaine. Didn't cost me a penny. It never gets watered or fed, either. If only the roses were so easy. The lavender is on the edge of our slope down to the big gully below, The soil is alkaline which lavender likes. Diane

It does smell good, and the bees love it above all other blooms. Talk about a pollinator attractor. Diane

More from last spring.

The gully in spring, so some green shows.

I'm repeating some photos by granddaughter Jemma. These are the mountains to the east in April.

Back to lavender.

Jemma's photo of the orange belted bumble bee.

Deborah - I'm glad that you were able to rest from work...emotionally and physically you needed that. I love your "heartbeat at my feet." That's so lovely and true. And I'm super glad that your biopsies were clear. That's so reassuring. Now you have to live with the sadness and heal. It's such a hard time. I'm a month further along than you are...it's much better now...I can think about him without crying. I'm really glad you went to Otto & Sons and got some beautiful roses!!! That's such a lift for your heart!! Exactly what you needed!! And the roses you brought home are incredibly beautiful!!! What a balm to your soul. :) :) :) YAY that Morning Glow came home with you!! What a beauty!! That woman was ridiculous. She had a raincoat and you apologized...what more can you do??? Sheesh.

Oh, yes...Sum Sum or Summer. Thanks about my Zephyr. He was my dog and my daughter's dog. He loved us sooo much. I thought exactly as you thought, that I can't do it again. But then after about a month, my daughter sent me a picture of a standard poodle for sale and I was hooked...I HAD to get another dog. I'm actually getting a 40 lb standard poodle (white) from a rehoming site. The owner's job has changed and she will be working away from the city, so she can't look after Pantoufle (french for slippers) anymore. Pantoufle had been on the site for 4 weeks. She's only 40 lbs...which is pretty small (for us). Her tail hasn't been shortened (like most poodles), so I love that. She's super loving and low key and loves people, dogs, etc. And she's 6 years old. She's very calm and walks well on a leash (which I need with my balance issues). She's free...which is great. And is a cuddler. We can't get her until Dec. 18th because the owner is on a trip to Quebec. The dog sitter wanted to keep her, but she lives in an apartment and isn't quite what this owner wanted for her. Pantoufle knows her commands in French. lol But I can also teach her what they mean in English (she knows hand signals, so I can do the new commands with the signals.) We're going to change her name (Pantoufle is too hard to say, lol) to Sugar. Our other female we had years ago had a two part name...Jellybean...could call her Jelly or Jellybean...so we figure we should do the same for Sugar. And since we're going to get her around Christmas...we're going to call her Sugarplum...or Sugar to shorten it. :) :) We did that subcutaneous fluids with our dog Toffee. I wouldn't do that again. Wow...hospice care for senior and terminal cats...that's got to be heartbreaking. Your friend is a special kind of person. :) :)

Judi - you have been BUSY!!! And I'm super glad that you'll be going to Peru!! Will you be going to Machu Pichu? Show us some pictures when you get back. :) :)

Deborah - Purple Pavement...such a hardy rose...those hips are unbelievable!!! WOWZA!!! You could have taken some hips and grew some cool new hybrid. :) :) I adore your Sespe Sunrise!!!! I went to look it up on hmf and found out that it's Sunrise Parfuma. lol I'm so glad that you showed what a beauty it is!!! I hope I can get one from Palatine. Oh, those rotten mule deer!!!

Diane - exactly...the deer need to know where to jump, and when they can't see where to jump, they won't. What a perfect blockade...wonderful...like you're in France. I love your mountain picture...beautiful!! I'm so glad you have more bumbles.

Carol, I'm so pleased you're getting another dog, especially one in need of a home. Pantoufle/Sugar/Sugarplum sounds a darling. It took Rosie a while to learn her name. She didn't come with one that they knew of. One day I overheard the man next door humourously saying to his wife "What is that dog's name?", as I must have repeated it to her for the 1000th time! Here is today's pic of Sunrise Parfuma. There is something special about it.

Diane, that lavender is beautiful. I've never seen it flower like that.

Trish

Lovely photos!

Diane,

Amazing orange belted bee on lavendar! Lively snowy moutains! Gorgeous view!

Carol, Are you getting a dog? Woohoo! Congrats! I’m so happy for you!

Trish, Lovely Sunrise Parfuma! Mmmmmmm!!!!! How is her fragrance?

DD, Oh, those sneaky deer! In the dark! LOL! Hope you had some tomatoes left!

Thanks, Trish, and your Sunrise Parfuma is beautiful, too. And I'm finally figuring our the name. These roses have too many names, as we've discussed. The blooms look so large, which is something I like. So how is your garden doing as you head into summer? I am envious. I think it's 23F right now outside in the wee hours of the morning. But when I fed the birds today, I noticed that hiding beneath some top growth are quite a few calendula still blooming and not frozen--haha, says mighty calendula.

Carol, you may not believe this, but my mother climbed Machu Picchu many years ago. She traveled the world, with or without her husbands. And on a lengthy trip to South America, she climbed the thing. As a young woman, she climbed mountains quite a bit in Colorado. No, I don't climb anything, except into bed. Ha. I'm so glad you're getting a new dog, and she sounds wonderful. What will Teddy think of this delicate French lady? Love her name, and she can teach Ted some French. And how is he doing? I'll bet he's been a bit lonely, but maybe loving being the center of attention. Our kitties are fine, but Barley has been constipated. I'll spare you the details. Diane

Hey, I don't need no kitty exlax says the magnificat. I think there's a striped snake in the pic.

Well, I just now stepped out and got some pictures of the new area. Except for the three bushes each side of the bench, the whole area is bare, so it should be much prettier in a year or two or three. Still, I enjoy looking at it and thinking of the potential.

Actually, our trip to Peru is likely not going to be really touristy this time. I’ve wanted to visit Machu Picchu for years, but we don’t expect to do that this time. We hope to go again sometime when we have more time to visit all the fun places. This time is all about visiting family and taking in the wedding. My husband has a sister, an uncle and several cousins who all live in the Huaral area and it’s a rather ugly part of Peru. The highlands are gorgeous, though, but I don’t handle high elevations well at all. I don’t expect we will try much of that.

Deborah, I live in Sierra Vista, only a few miles north of the Mexico border. We are somewhat high elevation here (4500), so nothing Phoenix or even Tucson, but neither are we living in a gorgeous area like Show Low. Yeah, you’re right, going to the high elevation areas really does change one’s perspective of Arizona! Most people seem to think that Phoenix IS Arizona. 😆

DD, I'm so sorry you lost your family member. I dread the day I will lose my twin fur babies.  🫂

Judi, I'm jelly of you. Peruvian food is my favorite! Have you been to Peru before? I'm half Ecuadorian and Swedish. Ecuadorian food is meh compared to Peruvian food. Never made it to Peru when I lived in Ecuador but luckily I had the best Peruvian meal in Stockholm.

You can also get some quality pima cotton clothes while you are there.
Show us what you have been working on.

Diane, I've hardly been in the garden for the last few days. Several reasons. I've been busy painting, cleaning, directing the handymen, we had some good rain all day one day, it's suddenly turned very hot and humid and yesterday the mosquitos were even biting in the middle of the day. The handymen cut up and removed the water tank, so I now have more room for roses, and also need to remove the buddleia and a camellia or two that I planted to hide the thing. While removing it, they came across a snake which Stephen, the boss, thinks is an Eastern Brown (deadly and aggressive - they even chase), as it looked identical to one removed from his son's school. Not thrilled about that! I'm hoping he's wrong as it didn't rear and hiss. I now have two more passionfruit sponges to make - one for Stephen and one for the brothers that run the irrigation and pond shop, who refuse to charge me more than trade price, and are endlessly helpful.

SoCal, I dread the day when I lose Rosie. I was beside myself when she had the gut operation. Which reminds me, I want to take a cake to the vet's as well, as they were wonderful and knowing what I'd paid for the specialist's ultrasounds, surgery etc didn't charge me when I took her back for checkups.

Trish

Kitty, I'm the last person to ask about fragrance, unfortunately. My sense of smell is almost nil now. At the start of the season, I could detect a pleasant spicy smell though.

Diane, go calendula!

Trish

Trish - thanks!! It's hard to wait until the 18th. I want to get her now. lol Ooooh!! Lovely!! I really hope I can get SP!!

Kitty - thanks!! Yes, my daughter started it by emailing a picture of another dog for adoption. Pantoufle (slippers) is 6 years old.

Diane - Oh those mighty Calendulas!! :) :) And they're such pretty plants. Wow, your mom was quite adventurous!! I've never been that kind of person. lol Teddy won't like her. But I can make it work. Teddy doesn't like big dogs or puppies...they're the worst for him. I think being a female will help and that she's so loving towards other dogs. The worst thing is that she will pee when the owner leaves...so she's given Gabapentin...which I don't want to do. It puts her to sleep. I'm hoping that with Teddy for company (eventually they will love each other) that won't be an issue. Or I'm hoping that if I leave her in the crate when we go, she won't pee. This is a hard thing to correct. If those two don't work...I'll reluctantly think of the Gabapentin unless others hear have a different solution. Teddy is just fine...and loving the extra attention. But he won't go outside at all to play now that he's alone. So maybe that will change. Ooof...poor Diane and Barley. Pet constipation. Not fun. A fuzzy orange and white snake!

Judi - Oh, what a special spot...the fence, gate and the contemplative area...wonderful!! I hope you have a fun time visiting family. It's too bad it's not a beautiful part of the country...but it's about family for this trip. :) :) Your elevation is higher than ours...we're at 3,428 feet.

SoCal - I'm half Swedish too. The other half is Slovakian.

Trish - EEEEeeeek!!!! A venomous snake that chases!!! That's horrible!! I hope that it's gone away now that its home has been disturbed. Good to get that water tank out and now you can replace it (carefully, because of the snake) with beautiful plants.

Trish, I really, really need a cake. I will do something nice for you. I won't remove the snake, though. I've read about those, not to mention that Australia has the deadliest animals in the world, and not just snakes. Are there professionals that remove deadly snakes for poor gardeners? I actually like a good garden snake, along with lizards, and toads. They are good guys, but your snake is something else. May it slink off into the outback. Is the water tank connected to the pond you had? Just wondering why that tank was where it was. I was out feeding the birds and noticed that some calendula have revived and looking pretty chipper--better than I do in the cold. The flowers that refuse to die. I ordered a book by an Australian author that is probably a clone of The Dry. It's called Outback, and I'm taking my chances because all want right now is to be entertained. I'll let you know if it's any good. Another book, well reviewed and which sold well, Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine, arrived, so I'll see how that one goes. I also just got two David Austin catalogs, and I don't have anyone to give the extra to. Shall I mail it to Australia? Just joking. I can imagine the postage. The US is not shipping and sending letters to Canada right now because of their postal workers strike. What timing.

Carol, as I just told Trish, you're not getting any mail from the US right now. I'm sure the strike was timed just for the season. Merry Christmas. Nobody sends me gifts, anyway. Ray had to take care of the kitty "issues", or lack thereof, and Barley is fine. Ray should have been a vet. He had to give subcutaneous feedings to poor old Clancy and administer other unpleasant stuff to that kitty. I am so glad I have never had to do those things. Hope all will go well with your new dog. It's wonderful how things are working out so far. Yes, my mother was a force of nature and did many exciting things. My friend Nancy is even worse, though sadly, her health went south and she's not having any adventures. The Palatine thing is the biggest adventure on this forum. I guess. I'm even getting curious about what Edwards will offer on their list next month.

Judi, your stone wall and finishing touches look wonderful. And I love the tree. What kind is it? Have a good trip, and I hope the wedding goes perfectly. Diane

Jemma's boyfriend's family lives in a beautiful old historic part of town. A creek runs along through all the back yards, and there is much shade and greenery. Here is her photo of a bit of this yard last spring. Phooey, I can't find it. Diane

Carol,

I’ve been napping…..to get ready to work tonight…. but ai finally read about your new Sugarplum, ”Sugar!” Lovely name! She will look similar to Anastasia being a white. Anas Anastasia was a cream, but they bleach her. Ana has a brown nose. Does Does Sugar have a black nose, a true white? Dec 18 will come soon! And Teddy acclimating begins! HEE, hee! She will adjust. Give ’em equal love & Teddy will get the idea. Do you have any photos of her?

Trish, Thank you! Sounds like youbwerecable to smell a little cloves/cinnamon fruity on Sunrise! Whatcan exciting rose! Your photos are nice! How old is your Sunrise P & how tall foes she get? How big her blooms, too?

We had snow at 11om last night…. snowed while I drive to work. Gave us an inch….

Today was 35F high so 2/3ds most if it melted, but still some on ground. ztonight 25F. Next 5 days freezes in day & night. Then warms to 40s-51F& 30-40s at night. Littlecwarmer for a week!!!!!! YAY! I am not in favor of snow! MELTBIT! Yay!

I have some pots to dump. I didnt save my dahlias-no time & I was sick. Too much wotk anyway. Maybe I will buy just a couple at Lowes next spring. Maybe I will finally getva few bulbs in ground thursday???You know I am making beds smalker in spring….. May be best to shorten beds, then olant bulbs spring. I think I will put them in paper sacks boxes on porch-freezing they need for the winter then plant early sprong.

Carol -- Pantoufle/Sugarplum sounds wonderful. As cute as "Pantoufle" is, I agree you need a name that's easy to say and that's easily shortened. It's funny, because a similar thing happened after our previous dog died two years ago in November. I said I thought I'd wait at least six months to get a new dog. But then after spending a Thanksgiving with no dog, I missed having one terribly, and we ended up adopting a dog after about a month.

When we got our current dog, Penny, she would frequently pee in the house at random times but not because she actually had to go. What I found online suggested we needed to "boost her confidence" to help this issue. I wasn't sure exactly how to do that, but after giving her three months of normalcy, routine, and love, it just suddenly stopped one day and she never had another accident after that. So, I can completely imagine a change of environment and owner, plus having another dog as a companion, could really help Sugarplum. My only experience with Gabapentin was as a painkiller for our previous dog in her final months (though I know it's also used for anxiety). For moments of high anxiety in our dogs (e.g., fireworks), we've used Trazodone, though it can also cause sleepiness.

Kitty, could you plant your bulbs in pots and bowls, Then put the pots in a large box filled with fallen leaves. In late winter-early spring, they'll bloom in the pots for lovely color. I've done this. The bulbs sprout and grow in their pots with leaf protection. I even took some pots with blooms into the house, but left a big bowl of blooming tulips on the doorstep. I hope you're feeling better now. I was kind of off for a few days, too. Cold or not, tomorrow I'm putting out more compost and cleaning out leaves from a couple of flower beds. Our temps are about the same as yours with high just slightly higher. We haven't had any snow, but a lot of morning fog and that leaves a coat of frost on things. Diane

We need color.