No kidding! I took this week off to garden, but my SIL ended up in ICU (she's doing fine, Thank God). This morning my best friend called to ask me to help get her dog to the vet to be put to sleep. Now my kids tell me their bikes need to be taken to the bike shop. And my cleaning lady showed up on the wrong day (I was warned, but forgot), so I had to run around picking up clutter so she could find the dirt. Thank goodness I'm on vacation! This afternoon it's supposed to rain, but I'm planting anyway. I'm working in a sandy area, so hopefully the soil will be workable. Off I go! Martha

I asked the farmer who rents my fields about those. He said they don't kill the roots and that can be problematic. For 3 years I have been using corn gluten meal as a pre emergent, I have to admit this has been a life saver for me. Plus, the addition of at least 4 inches mulch annually. So far, in the 2 foot by 70 foot bed beside the west side of the house I think I have about 8 perennial weeds to dig out. The large slope facing north by the pool, closly planted I had some dandelion and a few others that either I will pull out or spot weed killer. The raking of the arborvatie litter will take 3 times the amount of time to clear than weed pulling in there. Now that you have disturbed the soil you can apply this if you are planting plants, but it will inhibit germination of seeds. You can google corn gluten meal, I buy mine for 16.00/50lb at the local feed store, there is a granular type I also use for 22.00 a 40lb bag. This is the same stuff they have in weed-n-feed and organic. if you have never visited www.weedalert.com I encourage you do do this also. The site is great,identifies weeds, when they germinate and best removal method. If I did want to try those I would first go buy a bottle of hand held propane cannisters at walmart and zap a few weeds before I invested in a garden gizmo.

Beautiful color combination! One of these days I'm going to get some clematis just to see if I can grow it here. Probably not, but sure worth a try. Nancy

There is more money flowing around than is good for people in our area, and that money is not evenly distributed, as you would imagine. Young women of means frequently go on bachelorette weekends to Las Vegas or even Miami. Even if the host families can afford it, it is a financial burden for some of their guests who feel left out if they don't along with their friends. I have no problem with bridal showers, in fact I think they are a lovely custom, but this particular extravagance bothers me. I think it is part of the Bridezilla trend. A considerate bride would consider what her friends can comfortably manage, and do something that is a pleasure for all.