tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79288805990264913902024-03-14T22:43:13.810-07:00If only sweat were irrigation...Growing roses that love Floridasherryocalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06367991971551038582noreply@blogger.comBlogger248125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7928880599026491390.post-75950423425936453332017-03-30T17:05:00.001-07:002017-03-30T19:34:31.476-07:00Back in the garden<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Truth in Gardening Disclosure: my front garden no longer looks like this - beautiful, that is. 😢 And the house is Santa Monica Blue.</div>
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By way of catch-up, three and a half years after his stroke plus the progression of Parkinson's Disease my DH passed away last November 29th. Now four months later I seem to have my bearings, so, of course, I have dived head first into a heavy construction project in the back garden. Dare I say it? I have decided to lay sod.<br />
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The decision was so casual. Being tired of the drab gray granite gravel and brown oakleaf mulched beds, my eyes were desperate for some color - namely, emerald green. That casual decision became decidedly weightier when I lifted the first shovelful of gravel. Typical Sherry move. Why pick an easy project when there's a monumental one to be had?<br />
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Eight or nine days and 20 or so hours later the gravel has been relocated to pathways on the sides. Brings back memories of the original excavation of this garden except that I'm ten years older - mid-sixties. I can't go all day, only two to three hours per day - at least for gravel moving, but I'm doing it and getting in shape in the bargain. I cancelled my YMCA membership today. Those exercise machines are child's play compared to moving rock!<br />
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I suppose anyone who does a blog should be well past getting embarrassed by what she posts, but this 'garden' does look pretty rough!</div>
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Hopefully, one pallet of sod will do the trick. I've chosen Seville St. Augustine for its shade tolerance and slower, shorter growth habit. It's supposed to be less aggressive about sending out runners. I hate edgers, but I guess I'll need one or maybe just a lawn service.</div>
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This is my postage stamp-sized back garden - taller than it is wide or deep. Since I'm always only looking down, this is a thrilling shot to me - done in vertical panorama and still won't capture the treetops. The backyard is 60 feet wide and 30 feet deep including the 12-foot deep patio and the trees which are on the north, a good thing for sun-worshiping roses, but the house is on the south, a bad thing for sun-worshiping roses.</div>
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From the other side you can see one of the weed cloth piles. It was guaranteed for 15 years and looks pretty new, albeit dirty. You may not remember but the backyard ground under the gravel is crappy, limey, cement-like sandy clay that was excavated from the beds everywhere and dumped in the back, raising its sea level at least six inches. Now grass needs to grow there. "Houston, I think we have a problem." It is extremely hard and packed like rock, so I thought I would stick it with a pitchfork to poke holes for the roots to penetrate. Ha! The pitchfork didn't even dent it - or rather I couldn't dent it. Then I noticed that where I had wet it deeply it was quite soft and easily broken up - one of the properties of clay, I suppose. So that's what I have to do to the whole area to prepare it for the sod. I think I'd rather shovel rock.</div>
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You should be able to see the edge of the remaining gravel, running diagonally towards the upper left. Sadly, I can't go all the way back to the property line (another 8 feet or so) because it's dead shade here, and even Seville needs four hours of sun. Like one sod website said, "If you can't grow weeds, you can't grow grass." My weeds must be special. They grow happily in the shade.</div>
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Stacked against the tree (and elsewhere) are the 'decorative' broken cement block pieces that were embedded in the gravel. Like Scarlet said, I'll think about them tomorrow. The neater thing about this shot is that I broke through the planting bed. The hydrangea died - seems that not much can compete with the feeder roots of those oak trees. You may remember that there's a rebar arbor spanning the area with a leg in each bed. Hopefully, the clematis on the left has survived my not watering for many months. And yesterday I bought a bright pink Mandevilla for the right leg. Keeping my fingers crossed that only afternoon sun will be sufficient for it and that it can fight for water...and beat the oaks. On second thought there's an arbor on the other side that would be better for the Mandevilla.</div>
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I probably jumped the gun by buying plants, but that's what I do. The side borders are disasters and will probably lose the roses that have been languishing there - except for Louis Philippe which has rebounded to life and bloom after being severely cut back last spring. I'm hoping that lots of water will help the liriope, gaura, blue salvia and white angelonia compete with the big bad trees. (No offense! I love the trees.) I also got a couple of white dwarf Indian Hawthorn with more coming probably and, of course, a 'Sweet Drift' rose. How could I not buy a rose?</div>
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I have such bad ground in the back garden that I am so doubtful that any plant will thrive there. Maybe I'll try a bunch of those water crystals around each plant, but from past experience that will probably only draw more feeder roots. Waaah!</div>
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So Monday I'll order the sod which should be here by mid-week or end of week. And I should have beautiful green grass by next week. The sod website said a pallet (500 square feet) could be laid in an hour and a half. </div>
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<span style="background-color: rgb(255 , 255 , 255); color: rgb(34 , 34 , 34); font-family: , "helveticaneue" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18.2px; max-height: 999999px; text-align: left;">ROTFLSHMSFOAIDMT</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgb(255 , 255 , 255); color: rgb(34 , 34 , 34); font-family: , "helveticaneue" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18.2px; text-align: left;">Rolling On The Floor Laughing So Hard My Sombrero Fell Off And I Dropped My Taco</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgb(255 , 255 , 255); color: rgb(34 , 34 , 34); font-family: , "helveticaneue" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18.2px; text-align: left;">Gardening is so satisfying!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgb(255 , 255 , 255); color: rgb(34 , 34 , 34); font-family: , "helveticaneue" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 18.2px; text-align: left;">I guess that's why I'm still at it.</span></div>
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sherryocalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06367991971551038582noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7928880599026491390.post-77596468833521215892015-05-02T20:49:00.000-07:002015-05-02T21:05:18.967-07:00In the garden again<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Tada! I was digging in the garden today, first time in two years. Such elation!<br />
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My garden had deteriorated to such a state that I hired a lady, Angela, to rescue it for me. And she did! She works as hard and as carefully as I do, and she's faster. The front looks better than it has a right to after such neglect. Two beds were buried in Bermuda grass but no more. Today I was busy with the driveway bed, spraying RU on all the germinated weeds that appeared this week, digging up leftover Bermuda roots, spreading Black Kow and topsoil to raise the sunken level, and planting a new rose.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Believe it or not there are three roses in this mess. With apologies to the neighbors it remained like this for months. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After Angela! She had the brilliant idea to divide up several liriopies and plant them along the property line, creating a wind-break to block the neighbor's weed seeds and Bermuda grass clippings when they fill in. The debris pile got even bigger. </td></tr>
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Here it is all cleaned out and bigger than before. You can see the darker soil is the old rose bed. The lighter (sandier) part had azaleas and liriopes in it.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After adding 15 bags of topsoil and four bags of Black Kow. The new rose is closest to the camera. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I nearly fainted when I saw Kordes roses at Lowe's. This is the biggest potted rose I've ever bought. <a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.61364&tab=1">'Zaide'</a> is said to be very disease-resistant. After lots of DH's questions about what I want for Mother's Day I decided this was it.... along with a '<a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.3642">Blue Girl'</a>. It was a very large plant as well and healthy and full of buds so naturally I couldn't resist. Though it's also a Kordes rose, it's older and not disease-resistant. Oh, well, you win some and lose some. </td></tr>
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I'm definitely on a buying spree. Yesterday I bought three Endless Summer hydrangeas, thinking I can fill in with these easy-care plants and forget the roses. Twenty-four hours later.....<br />
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May I also add a postscript that I have been eager to tell. These roses of mine are truly none the worse for wear after two years without feeding. At this point I don't think I need to feed several times a year. I fed them last week, and I think that will be it till next spring. I really believe by using the composted horse manure I built good organic garden soil that has been able to sustain the organisms and the worms which have done their work of providing the nutrients that the roses needed.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Organic is the keyword. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
If I had been using synthetic fertilizer, I'm guessing this garden would be dead by now.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjju5bUJdL5YhUepq5n4fQI7Qryb3YhrV_DGd0d7Uw5h4vNNbyVbrdAWIxxSgG-5vm2iIvM_lE6QDuvJNr4ayYnXQqwH9IkLs4YIf0TV5eYGhyphenhyphenYYIs9uc8XZp34QQUvzkdif7Enp3vcxrYr/s1600/IMG_20150502_184845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjju5bUJdL5YhUepq5n4fQI7Qryb3YhrV_DGd0d7Uw5h4vNNbyVbrdAWIxxSgG-5vm2iIvM_lE6QDuvJNr4ayYnXQqwH9IkLs4YIf0TV5eYGhyphenhyphenYYIs9uc8XZp34QQUvzkdif7Enp3vcxrYr/s1600/IMG_20150502_184845.jpg" height="294" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Pink Pet' rooted through the bottom of the pot, but she's moving to the driveway bed soon. Whoever heard of not having to feed potted roses for two years? That is not what the experts say!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HNZF5XlvmyGkQTytsjmX8CCdzWM4NC5YMj1WLAEXNEzupXKTON7xCHGID3TXEEHTiusMrilw0YS3U0_gG2mIAELJT_c7eNS4URgvlmfSHxV6YYChwQU1szfEHc1_SHBMTc4leoz-a_kl/s1600/IMG_20150502_181533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HNZF5XlvmyGkQTytsjmX8CCdzWM4NC5YMj1WLAEXNEzupXKTON7xCHGID3TXEEHTiusMrilw0YS3U0_gG2mIAELJT_c7eNS4URgvlmfSHxV6YYChwQU1szfEHc1_SHBMTc4leoz-a_kl/s1600/IMG_20150502_181533.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After Angela</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5oSLFwtVIhIZRzJUYEUq32f7l0R78Kjc-oLYc0gC_8KX872_mQSyXKqXo2kKv3U6432PF1EYUE_w8o_GJ4rI5Myt6l7EFteWlY2grn4uYvqZ4jHAvS2aDX4Ju3HDH8NW26KQVnE142FA9/s1600/IMG_20150502_182506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5oSLFwtVIhIZRzJUYEUq32f7l0R78Kjc-oLYc0gC_8KX872_mQSyXKqXo2kKv3U6432PF1EYUE_w8o_GJ4rI5Myt6l7EFteWlY2grn4uYvqZ4jHAvS2aDX4Ju3HDH8NW26KQVnE142FA9/s1600/IMG_20150502_182506.jpg" height="402" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Madame Abel Chatenay'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGL_xc3A3hifGBxO6xBSo4YfLr65JtBnCVvHt5y5wRr-_WHHfzNimIShWON0FW0uCMAC-ehaD9WuJgH0haCaxI2eKq3fd2cDrFVig056QLBmn083tWj363z7WU4aPbVgW6av7RkLBwYVi0/s1600/IMG_20150502_175755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGL_xc3A3hifGBxO6xBSo4YfLr65JtBnCVvHt5y5wRr-_WHHfzNimIShWON0FW0uCMAC-ehaD9WuJgH0haCaxI2eKq3fd2cDrFVig056QLBmn083tWj363z7WU4aPbVgW6av7RkLBwYVi0/s1600/IMG_20150502_175755.jpg" height="460" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLYZrB5vYKVPEsfL_ZPlFrsRHBeceUiq7B_KwyetmQjh5WFSKT0NvvTlQCx7AugUnJJQRiaGNaY9pgo_uq-9I-3AbVnpWv65KRN22LYMhBz84ef-WJXGhPf3jpwtGAEgJqoOepnwn2Qjt/s1600/IMG_20150502_180941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLYZrB5vYKVPEsfL_ZPlFrsRHBeceUiq7B_KwyetmQjh5WFSKT0NvvTlQCx7AugUnJJQRiaGNaY9pgo_uq-9I-3AbVnpWv65KRN22LYMhBz84ef-WJXGhPf3jpwtGAEgJqoOepnwn2Qjt/s1600/IMG_20150502_180941.jpg" height="500" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My garden brain is totally out of practice, so I can't remember the name of the red climber, but the salvia is 'Victoria'. The climber is now three years old, ready to leap. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPgl9f0nhtgeQpTk2Y2Wy4TGZVcRh_uCT3eWCADITI-Nb-IBJ3f8gRs9e7YdmlRBFnu9C18rVIivJ-T1uK1eHU2UyvEyPASDs6KO_1l0xfAHqB4AT5yYd6irRLMQpMfLmIOFeTdtxAYew/s1600/IMG_20150502_174943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPgl9f0nhtgeQpTk2Y2Wy4TGZVcRh_uCT3eWCADITI-Nb-IBJ3f8gRs9e7YdmlRBFnu9C18rVIivJ-T1uK1eHU2UyvEyPASDs6KO_1l0xfAHqB4AT5yYd6irRLMQpMfLmIOFeTdtxAYew/s1600/IMG_20150502_174943.jpg" height="556" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Belinda's Dream'</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2JGWf9QvVRmAWYyPe66UgRcvZyITd-z9n12NYmgI7IMl_qDycMqGz9aCdVD0tY7q-NXySlAuUf9GNsQVOpqOfd04ZkEBkU7tNbNuxgghJobs_wNVwS_p0rL4-kpm5ZamJw24RdOZHaA0/s1600/IMG_20150502_175952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2JGWf9QvVRmAWYyPe66UgRcvZyITd-z9n12NYmgI7IMl_qDycMqGz9aCdVD0tY7q-NXySlAuUf9GNsQVOpqOfd04ZkEBkU7tNbNuxgghJobs_wNVwS_p0rL4-kpm5ZamJw24RdOZHaA0/s1600/IMG_20150502_175952.jpg" height="378" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Duquesa' and 'Clotilde Soupert'</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUk7UORmUXyNOxQeUENLFtwr6r4kB3bRtMjKlPrA582ScTO2t_-rujMrg-nWcw5CxJ-TIBax0-o2s5dLg25oDRHD4V6MoS80ka14_p_gCilzESex4a6mlAn_oEy7D21l-b8wTPcUU3tTeO/s1600/IMG_20150502_180838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUk7UORmUXyNOxQeUENLFtwr6r4kB3bRtMjKlPrA582ScTO2t_-rujMrg-nWcw5CxJ-TIBax0-o2s5dLg25oDRHD4V6MoS80ka14_p_gCilzESex4a6mlAn_oEy7D21l-b8wTPcUU3tTeO/s1600/IMG_20150502_180838.jpg" height="620" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Chrysler Imperial' </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7uecn4Orcxtjfnn4nVa6kIrRVIzCSdLfacUNXcs9n0kM8JLD7yipQnfQ5aXbgfj92DLeuy7sNTWuG1Q2QNsx68yaplGbOcjJIBZDC9DhVp8kbDRlvZFpKaWMZXmSEyotvSVcn7cubjmQ/s1600/IMG_20150502_183459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj7uecn4Orcxtjfnn4nVa6kIrRVIzCSdLfacUNXcs9n0kM8JLD7yipQnfQ5aXbgfj92DLeuy7sNTWuG1Q2QNsx68yaplGbOcjJIBZDC9DhVp8kbDRlvZFpKaWMZXmSEyotvSVcn7cubjmQ/s1600/IMG_20150502_183459.jpg" height="398" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Clotilde Soupert, Climbing'</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFXJSbntHJmNmSbvf-esS1aQLOxxcw8m_4fY1SV-fLnvEP5VS7zqbEIyZqty5RyLOPuGa3HlkMH3Tbq_XPV-h9Co-AkDeXhrVYT9zfvTqjwQtfyNEufL2kMUERvHaGTJWeWy2RGY_IY-L/s1600/IMG_20150502_175427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFXJSbntHJmNmSbvf-esS1aQLOxxcw8m_4fY1SV-fLnvEP5VS7zqbEIyZqty5RyLOPuGa3HlkMH3Tbq_XPV-h9Co-AkDeXhrVYT9zfvTqjwQtfyNEufL2kMUERvHaGTJWeWy2RGY_IY-L/s1600/IMG_20150502_175427.jpg" height="326" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Chrysler Imperial'</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOIpkY7XfczBxvrsM8K6sZJoIXPylnKL2vd_xVT5Wi999l6hj_sTpDMOhCSgK1iNpvcJY5YodWBeX-MB12K-kG19sUkBRk9mThmOXzGqbIS55OS946OaG8P342oNTLb4ykV_rRYicDnR2/s1600/IMG_20150502_180607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOIpkY7XfczBxvrsM8K6sZJoIXPylnKL2vd_xVT5Wi999l6hj_sTpDMOhCSgK1iNpvcJY5YodWBeX-MB12K-kG19sUkBRk9mThmOXzGqbIS55OS946OaG8P342oNTLb4ykV_rRYicDnR2/s1600/IMG_20150502_180607.jpg" height="412" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Darcy Bussell' in backand 'Chrysler Imperial' in front</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJ-n2ny0gZNbYAWTbE_MTwTCXfml9HBZUBH2tPwTcxnSC7ELISrPhVs1wVmeKQ0KrtSNmnLTg6UKTpTS0G1xagSSYaTvAxHrCricjUEA0Tos8eGVl9-kkKgslliPQbL3KokNRHyW9WkyC/s1600/IMG_20150502_185512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJ-n2ny0gZNbYAWTbE_MTwTCXfml9HBZUBH2tPwTcxnSC7ELISrPhVs1wVmeKQ0KrtSNmnLTg6UKTpTS0G1xagSSYaTvAxHrCricjUEA0Tos8eGVl9-kkKgslliPQbL3KokNRHyW9WkyC/s1600/IMG_20150502_185512.jpg" height="640" width="632" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wish I could remember the name. </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfg_mhN7VmhMc1VVpmipMu0Y3rhdvtDJ0fCX6nHtL9KHr_NLTl-ofKCO0tYkqGHsod-e9JKlS685uupoCUtPOK5LgunUJ1C-QHwRr98t2ManzJ9Y6LeXmIN_s02JFLhlDrHkXU-kUHK6SO/s1600/IMG_20150502_185107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfg_mhN7VmhMc1VVpmipMu0Y3rhdvtDJ0fCX6nHtL9KHr_NLTl-ofKCO0tYkqGHsod-e9JKlS685uupoCUtPOK5LgunUJ1C-QHwRr98t2ManzJ9Y6LeXmIN_s02JFLhlDrHkXU-kUHK6SO/s1600/IMG_20150502_185107.jpg" height="640" width="470" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLoMd7nBiW33SXbrcKTLz1ixYwZcZ_-8TwIqrptWH1Zy2N4Rtyn9_7SdsquhtpXmD6BPvRuj6xEq7HsuYBayyHOEJswOjpKdqdkC_WSv0BiivLaOeCYIbWur0NeT-sC-9jGEbERpapTC6f/s1600/IMG_20150502_185247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLoMd7nBiW33SXbrcKTLz1ixYwZcZ_-8TwIqrptWH1Zy2N4Rtyn9_7SdsquhtpXmD6BPvRuj6xEq7HsuYBayyHOEJswOjpKdqdkC_WSv0BiivLaOeCYIbWur0NeT-sC-9jGEbERpapTC6f/s1600/IMG_20150502_185247.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My hydrangeas give me such a thrill. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyrxHtDTajqehZJnIoODopFIYjz2X_kK-i5OQ6XR6_uSBzZk4ac_3HbS0veJEnKlPBDempOuVGqQIpT3nDO7f-CULn13FL5fRlzeq2CMzG2QsrMMglBi54CtJeW_fBwRi9jPqsslOBuWr/s1600/IMG_20150502_175157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyrxHtDTajqehZJnIoODopFIYjz2X_kK-i5OQ6XR6_uSBzZk4ac_3HbS0veJEnKlPBDempOuVGqQIpT3nDO7f-CULn13FL5fRlzeq2CMzG2QsrMMglBi54CtJeW_fBwRi9jPqsslOBuWr/s1600/IMG_20150502_175157.jpg" height="410" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before Angela. Thank God for Angela! </td></tr>
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sherryocalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06367991971551038582noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7928880599026491390.post-42539022378280335452013-10-20T10:11:00.002-07:002013-10-20T10:11:29.541-07:00Stepped out back and what did I see?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
At least once every Florida gardener has wished for this – a reprieve from gardening for the entire hot summer. Five months off from deadheading, weeding, feeding, tending, culling, digging…and sweating. Five months of letting the garden do its own thing. Five months of only observing. In my case glimpsing was more like it…from a distance, in the dark, never stopping let alone bending over and touching. Five months of being incapable of caring how it looked for fear of that proverbial straw on the camel’s back. Five months ago yesterday I got that reprieve. Five months ago my mad dash down the rabbit hole began, and the garden was left to fend for itself alone. Five months that now feel blurred in my memory even though a week ago they were precisely and seemingly indelibly etched there. Can this mean that the memories of hemorrhagic stroke, emergency rooms, ICUs, urinary tract infections, sepsis, altered mental status, meds and more meds, dysphagia, G-tubes, Parkinson’s, EMTs, rehabs, hospitals, et al, will be supplanted by weeds and roses and hydrangeas? May I say that I hope so? <br />
<br />
For almost two weeks now DH and I have been back in our home, and though not without new fears and concerns, we are settling into a routine. We’re nothing if not adaptable. Maybe that explains the extra room in my brain now for non-medical stuff, for grabbing my phone (not my DSLR – no room for that yet) and tiptoeing into the no-man’s-land that is my back garden to snap some quick pics; extra room for withstanding the fear of stepping through knee-high weeds in the paths (fear takes up lots of space!), room for feeling the elation of plants that survived and for accepting the loss of others that didn't. A spacious mind is a luxurious, peace-inducing thing. Mine had closed in on me as if someone had attached the vacuum hose to it, leaving me with this teensy space only big enough to hold DH. We’ve all heard of coping mechanisms. Well, I’m living proof that they work. They are those survival skills I didn’t know I had that my heavenly Designer had built into me, the ones that prevent you from dissolving into a puddle on the floor. <br />
<br />
At this point I’d like to write a paragraph expounding on how all that’s behind me now, over and done, but I’ve learned that life’s not like that. I guess you could say I’m gun-shy, and why the heck not? Nothing is like it was – except for the love; everything is different – except for his heart (and His heart); we’ll never do the same stuff – except for the laughing and the loving; and there’s this new specter of an expiration date stamped on every day, though less noticeable than not long ago. More unsettling is that I’m different…deep inside where everything used to be pat and forever settled. Plain and simple, I got shook, and I don’t like it. I don’t like distrusting my God. I don’t like flinching as though I’m about to be back-handed…again. I don’t like it, and I pray He’ll fix me... soon.<br />
<br />
<i>Now it's Sunday morning and look what the Lord has done. He's touched my heart with His gentle love and broken the bitterness and melted the ice. Thank you, Lord. This <a href="http://youtu.be/1CSVqHcdhXQ">song</a> found me on Facebook. </i><br />
<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops<br /> What if Your healing comes through tears<br /> What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near<br /> What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise</span><br /> <span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> ~ <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=27380021880&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/laurastory?directed_target_id=0" id="js_193">Laura Story Music</a>, "Blessings"</span></span></span></h5>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-l7nUkiA-pZs/UmMq7JFkJWI/AAAAAAAALC0/8EsmISQu6dI/s1600-h/Rom.Sherry%252520at%252520Busch%252520Gardens%2525201978%252520%2525282%252529%25255B13%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Rom.Sherry at Busch Gardens 1978 (2)" border="0" height="216" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-876hidAT_Mo/UmMq74F4WOI/AAAAAAAALC4/EX_pc3WRH2Y/Rom.Sherry%252520at%252520Busch%252520Gardens%2525201978%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Rom.Sherry at Busch Gardens 1978 (2)" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3,"tn":"K"}"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> </span></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-R-knLydYEJ4/UmMpQ_gyIUI/AAAAAAAAK4U/w3odmh_3lyA/s1600-h/20131019_130313%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="20131019_130313" border="0" height="484" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MnIwiZI_vXw/UmMpR2QDfHI/AAAAAAAAK4c/Kvvnj3jnQ4I/20131019_130313_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20131019_130313" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I stepped out into my derelict garden today and Hydrangea <span class="st">macrophylla 'Shooting Star' brightened the day.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-G6aSi9JT8Io/UmMpTtKFw5I/AAAAAAAAK4k/rBTPUztEgjU/s1600-h/20131019_130408%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="20131019_130408" border="0" height="516" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Jw0nQXTZvIc/UmMpUcnL_LI/AAAAAAAAK4s/tszFjZwq5qg/20131019_130408_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20131019_130408" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the color of Hydrangea macrophylla 'Endless Summer'. I'd love to have more, but they've been hard to find for me.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8VSMo6CBubc/UmMpW2hyezI/AAAAAAAAK40/PMuDrnpEp44/s1600-h/20131019_130307%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="20131019_130307" border="0" height="479" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZsAQU8LaADY/UmMpXmsJXHI/AAAAAAAAK48/V3yZyXzCE6I/20131019_130307_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20131019_130307" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Shooting Star' has become really large at the end of her second season. I could stand a few more of these, too. This bloom cluster is about ten inches across.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SvTTq1iPigE/UmMpY2A_RFI/AAAAAAAAK5E/KvfdMHfkr6k/s1600-h/20131019_130731%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="20131019_130731" border="0" height="511" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lqy7nO4EJdY/UmMpZmFPmdI/AAAAAAAAK5M/PRVg5UIxcIk/20131019_130731_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20131019_130731" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There aren't many flowers in the garden (note to all rose gardeners: not deadheading greatly reduces bloom - like by 90%!), but 'Polonaise' has several buds and a fading flower. Not too shabby.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZcpGlPjb5MI/UmMpbDW2W8I/AAAAAAAAK5U/ktFmk5dyZuM/s1600-h/20131019_130751%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="20131019_130751" border="0" height="524" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8sVssfvJTvU/UmMpcPbTXzI/AAAAAAAAK5c/qYxiNOQ70m4/20131019_130751_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20131019_130751" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3bcU3v9FTx4/UmMpdmhx8pI/AAAAAAAAK5k/qwpjdzn6W-I/s1600-h/20131019_131205%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="20131019_131205" border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDiCajDUl3LmYdPvH060b_4tMUeQxWEgpft9Ss_5CYZ7SC74d8tc6JEfTcXSVL9Z0fo5Qr2owjN52CxdCCiCAxgm6fre90sGsgeYDmXPdWxnngUPbAYpoN_jCZgRI0XsnB_p-_LhC-9Nv/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20131019_131205" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A no-name rose on Fortuniana that may be 'Intrigue', a supposedly very weak rose (at least around here). She's puny for sure, but she survived a tough first year!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hzE42HfcvKA/UmMpf6WPvDI/AAAAAAAAK50/dlw0j74o4QU/s1600-h/20131019_131722%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="20131019_131722" border="0" height="684" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gAmS79zfS-0/UmMphMc5a-I/AAAAAAAAK58/H-KtmyL4HNM/20131019_131722_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20131019_131722" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clematis 'Jackmanii' - not the monster I've read about but not the dog in Florida that I've read about either. His purple perked me up.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XRfcoNKJWFI/UmMpiT2PeEI/AAAAAAAAK6E/T9jlI1lYpIs/s1600-h/20131019_132031%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="20131019_132031" border="0" height="335" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CREk-u080YE/UmMpjXLXyjI/AAAAAAAAK6M/mvO4AeAGrns/20131019_132031_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20131019_132031" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clematis 'Purpurea Plena Elegans' growing on the tripod of 'Nur Mahal'. Didn't look close enough to see how she made out.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LEkQia_XcIk/UmMpkw-40DI/AAAAAAAAK6U/5VM7UxdhXRk/s1600-h/20131019_130427%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="20131019_130427" border="0" height="544" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DnJ98dc6gg0/UmMpl1eDvmI/AAAAAAAAK6c/SG74AGVEt-I/20131019_130427_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20131019_130427" width="409" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gravel's full of weeds and 'Periwinkle' volunteers.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FQkj2OO0yuw/UmMpniDf5BI/AAAAAAAAK6k/BVdVOX6W-Zw/s1600-h/20131019_130632%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="20131019_130632" border="0" height="484" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J2ELrFCkpig/UmMpoomGjaI/AAAAAAAAK6s/TowJ42fR7BE/20131019_130632_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20131019_130632" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apparently, the rest of creation is free of this weed that I noticed today has tiny purple flowers on it, because I can't find it in any Google images. Thankfully, it pulls up pretty easily, and I'll be able to see gravel one day. Notice I didn't say soon.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HPrlVYdh8TU/UmMpqe7iybI/AAAAAAAAK60/aYGeQQf-6hs/s1600-h/20131019_131325%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="20131019_131325" border="0" height="484" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TqMqQFNMB-M/UmMprV8h9QI/AAAAAAAAK68/tHNFGMXUKBM/20131019_131325_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20131019_131325" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It is about to overtake 'Mrs. B. R. Cant' between the trees, and I thought sure it had smothered 'Jude the Obscure' that I'd just transplanted days before the stroke. You can see 'Polonaise' at lower left corner. In the purple pot 'Marchessa Bocella' is lookin' quite decent even without a dripper in its pot.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LfB3epj7-Os/UmMps4u6aDI/AAAAAAAAK7E/H2e_0f2jYJ4/s1600-h/20131019_130700%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="20131019_130700" border="0" height="484" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ey4rlKxwe6U/UmMpt2DvkQI/AAAAAAAAK7M/90i02XNS_W4/20131019_130700_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20131019_130700" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's THE WEED. Anyone have an ID? Leaves are about 3" long. I'm just a little curious.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nDs1u2QjTss/UmMpv7jE6QI/AAAAAAAAK7U/OKGPYPSgK-Q/s1600-h/20131019_131033%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="20131019_131033" border="0" height="484" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rDgRa4pwQYs/UmMpwyQgx_I/AAAAAAAAK7c/yqF9OYs2wvg/20131019_131033_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20131019_131033" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sweet neighbor's Jasmine is doing wonderfully, isn't it? I usually chop it on my side. The trellis is meant for 'Hyde Hall' and 'St. Swithun', neither have grown much in 5 months but they're not dead either. To the right under that flopped gladiolus and some equally flopped salvia farinacea I found 'Sweet Jessica' that I had just planted.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aJKymIQjvWs/UmMpyJemyKI/AAAAAAAAK7k/ogxsXUr7RwU/s1600-h/20131019_131120%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="20131019_131120" border="0" height="439" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--fEtM0gjAVE/UmMpzJjiAiI/AAAAAAAAK7s/sFHYgZiFNW4/20131019_131120_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20131019_131120" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I couldn't believe it! 'Sweet Jessica' lives!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UlVXJ2WW0ME/UmMp0hKlt7I/AAAAAAAAK70/8-ypVQkUmHk/s1600-h/20131019_130821%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="20131019_130821" border="0" height="324" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-g2EoY0wFvlU/UmMp1YkCg6I/AAAAAAAAK74/oKoPABquNyo/20131019_130821_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20131019_130821" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Armadillos. At least I didn't have to fight with THEM all summer.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-d2IkZTSYYp4/UmMp2ibpVfI/AAAAAAAAK8E/_48ivClTCS8/s1600-h/20131019_130931%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="20131019_130931" border="0" height="463" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MhtuUOSgCD8/UmMp3k3LuuI/AAAAAAAAK8M/AVoAjGj-ybg/20131019_130931_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20131019_130931" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Left to right) 'Quietness', 'Hot Cocoa' and 'Stephen's Big Purple' - still alive...as are the weeds.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VeAoqw-uTcU/UmMp5uc7W1I/AAAAAAAAK8U/zjtmXrycQHg/s1600-h/20131019_131334%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="20131019_131334" border="0" height="484" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9pwW4f1spIQ/UmMp7AkViFI/AAAAAAAAK8c/v7IyaSHqJqE/20131019_131334_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20131019_131334" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THE WEED has taken up residence on the structure of 'Leonie Lamesch'. Didn't look for life in there.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2o6HE6e9lro/UmMp8gmYTWI/AAAAAAAAK8k/n5q-f1K9QQo/s1600-h/20131019_131348%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="20131019_131348" border="0" height="324" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nYHzPTj1Jhk/UmMp9p4QxxI/AAAAAAAAK8s/b1PGO5FJS4E/20131019_131348_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20131019_131348" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Armadillos have set up housekeeping AGAIN under my bedroom. Back in the early days of my reprieve I could hear - and feel - them banging around under the concrete slab. The azalea is suffering from their digging.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AiEhQx2DrJk/UmMp_mtcTaI/AAAAAAAAK80/oxgb_uF7iRc/s1600-h/20131019_131447%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="20131019_131447" border="0" height="484" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_mhkafURaeY/UmMqBIEXG9I/AAAAAAAAK88/WeenNvfOBXw/20131019_131447_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20131019_131447" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not much gravel visible, is there? Walking through that stuff gives me the willies.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ii2PXrkZO8w/UmMqCP5c0ZI/AAAAAAAAK9E/yaVSCHcs4to/s1600-h/20131019_131538%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="20131019_131538" border="0" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8jreyQYcHdKa-WhIrUrpN2HFmERcmwTEErQI7V1saLZC0XXGW4PhN5TGv-KfMH-qRu4_umL3tBWuR5dmqHZe5MSZFX0xML2gLiePSz4CLoYQh6T3fOioJV6YZKUQwH_JutQjChWV10XZh/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20131019_131538" width="409" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There really is a 6' wide gravel path to the shed here. And NO, I didn't venture down it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LSCqTs1BNzE/UmMqEYZ1ycI/AAAAAAAAK9U/-D9XCb5ejuo/s1600-h/20131019_131626%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="20131019_131626" border="0" height="544" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aLIkWnqyWBI/UmMqFdr764I/AAAAAAAAK9c/bk-kWjUzdww/20131019_131626_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20131019_131626" width="409" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My pot ghetto is buried in the weeds. Extra pots knocked over. All in all 'Reve d'Or' is quite embarrassed.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cdP8ANqJZj4/UmMqG8dC2ZI/AAAAAAAAK9k/i21h2G0VpoQ/s1600-h/20131019_131640%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="20131019_131640" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOAXV-GaN5YWgRjAFgBDfcJHHt0DveZWtN-mgudvhr4Gq5MFQNtiAB5QwLIuOvw-bo-I8CZG7BDCaQkRycZHkgnjgtJElaz2OY_P2XSmw4485JnzWGL723QBvHI-m10ikFz4CRLvdxoVpn/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20131019_131640" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'General Gallieni' looking none the worse for wear, waiting patiently for deadheading.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PF2ek2iPnoI/UmMqJYk6dlI/AAAAAAAAK90/HqiswPryOnw/s1600-h/20131019_131657%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="20131019_131657" border="0" height="484" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RPmp79HkXqY/UmMqKtRVAoI/AAAAAAAAK98/1XeR6Cn-1hw/20131019_131657_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20131019_131657" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ha! 'Graham Thomas' is alive!! And bigger than he was!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YOz96ejFTTg/UmMqMvYV0VI/AAAAAAAAK-E/iUgy824RSPU/s1600-h/20131019_131821%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="20131019_131821" border="0" height="484" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AhxA5cUnExM/UmMqNmhYvFI/AAAAAAAAK-M/InBJfiFF0Pg/20131019_131821_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20131019_131821" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miracles DO happen! A slip of a hydrangea plant survived in the pot ghetto (one didn't) along with a couple of roses. Without irrigation, I might add. Five months with only nature's irrigation. Thanks, Lord.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uXIjBufUjPw/UmMqPO2ll5I/AAAAAAAAK-U/-JAQ1W91Hpw/s1600-h/20131019_131853%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="20131019_131853" border="0" height="404" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GcoHlCW9yLc/UmMqQN5MaLI/AAAAAAAAK-c/k0y_aXkMsII/20131019_131853_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20131019_131853" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With sadness I tell you that 'Mrs. Henry Morse' did not make it with only rain. She's the offspring of my beloved 'Madame Abel Chatenay' and had arrived from Rogue Valley Roses not long before the stroke. I will definitely try to get her again. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VWWQXgXUrus/UmMqRi15H8I/AAAAAAAAK-k/L-MWlwV_Qe8/s1600-h/20131019_131911%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="20131019_131911" border="0" height="604" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ESjtOMpkzhc/UmMqS7jEVeI/AAAAAAAAK-s/rCqp6wNNotA/20131019_131911_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20131019_131911" width="516" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazingly, three roses that I had rooted from cuttings from last October's MCRS meeting are still living. I think one is 'Pope John Paul II'. Not sure who the others are.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-psg4QqhNcZU/UmMqT-UXSwI/AAAAAAAAK-0/lnOzzUVqOys/s1600-h/20131019_131929%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="20131019_131929" border="0" height="544" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XbgfqQJAAOk/UmMqU5a6Y4I/AAAAAAAAK-8/aChxng3cVlU/20131019_131929_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20131019_131929" width="409" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And look at this little miracle. A clematis from Brushwood Nursery still in its 5" pot.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RUczTB-GYiI/UmMqWV987oI/AAAAAAAAK_E/EFgnQoDjZUE/s1600-h/20131019_132117%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="20131019_132117" border="0" height="439" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kl5ofAJaCfA/UmMqXW0nsOI/AAAAAAAAK_I/bucG26nYLGU/20131019_132117_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20131019_132117" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another pleasant surprise. Healthy green leaves and a flower bud on 'Moondance', one of last winter's bargains on Dr Huey rootstock.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pBx5uays8Sg/UmMqY0rU09I/AAAAAAAAK_U/cgehSc8KtxA/s1600-h/20131019_132130%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="20131019_132130" border="0" height="452" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-63Hh-DdXais/UmMqZyW0uvI/AAAAAAAAK_c/rUI2Oo5YSks/20131019_132130_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20131019_132130" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Gold Medal' (another Dr Huey bargain) on the left and 'Alexander Hill Gray' on the right, looking much healthier than when I saw him last after struggling through a transplant. It occurs to me that this is a horrible photo but an accurate depiction.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Xr7NwGpInc8/UmMqbXB0O-I/AAAAAAAAK_k/2SQx8227X90/s1600-h/20131019_132146%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="20131019_132146" border="0" height="407" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-r6I_En2BXMI/UmMqcVj05bI/AAAAAAAAK_s/cHI4h5akFuE/20131019_132146_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20131019_132146" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's 'Vanity'. I'm really quite glad I missed the summer for this one. Hybrid Musks are enigmas to me. 'Vanity' is all gangly - typical - and I fear I would have been tempted to do something stupid with - or TO him in his first season.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HlizO0BzmNA/UmMqdjOl6UI/AAAAAAAAK_0/4uozJitvMeY/s1600-h/20131019_132224%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="20131019_132224" border="0" height="544" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QWeIL9w-IN4/UmMqeR4LSHI/AAAAAAAAK_8/5JL8-ImeRLk/20131019_132224_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20131019_132224" width="409" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carol's gift of 'Pat Austin' did not make it without additional irrigation. I always meant to put a micro-head in her pot and had just figured out where to connect it. Now it's too late. She was puny for me but was finally getting stiffer. I loved her orange globular flowers.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Pd8jCM9TwBg/UmMqgXHjkfI/AAAAAAAALAE/aIq5Yytmnyo/s1600-h/20131019_132255%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="20131019_132255" border="0" height="484" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HK2MGTG0Mao/UmMqhicLn1I/AAAAAAAALAM/YhZ72tnj8is/20131019_132255_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20131019_132255" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another path overrun with THE WEED and 'Periwinkle' volunteers which by the way hate extra water.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J9QU-53RUcY/UmMqjbKL6CI/AAAAAAAALAU/Zi0dIApF-08/s1600-h/20131019_132359%25255B5%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="20131019_132359" border="0" height="484" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-K6qY5dGN1qM/UmMqkTrvo4I/AAAAAAAALAc/xu72sF40O8I/20131019_132359_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20131019_132359" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The same weedy path leading from the patio to 'Shooting Star' hydrangea on the left out of frame next to 'Duchesse d'Auerstadt and clematis on the arbor, looking toward 'Gold Medal', 'Alexander Hill Gray', 'Moondance' and 'General Gallieni'. 'Nur Mahal' and Clematis 'Purpurea Plena Elegans' are on the rebar teepee at top right (the rose is not looking too good from here but then it never did, being a Hybrid Musk).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dlpH_2MByX4/UmMqljkAgCI/AAAAAAAALAk/4HlY2mPqwbI/s1600-h/20131019_132327%25255B5%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="20131019_132327" border="0" height="444" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wwPBy-7cFRM/UmMqmpur-qI/AAAAAAAALAs/Wk8-ZP7cCeo/20131019_132327_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20131019_132327" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Shooting Star' flopping on the path along with 'Periwinkle' and THE WEED.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wgSQzHpbMTc/UmMqoYRiMUI/AAAAAAAALA0/1nwYl9v8P24/s1600-h/20131019_132408%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="20131019_132408" border="0" height="484" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SRTAomKKRro/UmMqpSmhWqI/AAAAAAAALA8/CpxKxuesh_o/20131019_132408_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20131019_132408" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where's my gray gravel? In the far purple pot 'Rose de Rescht' is still alive, I think. I did always have a little trouble determining evidence of life in that rose. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MNfEYA9YR8A/UmMqrOg6ZaI/AAAAAAAALBE/APpWnELcnZQ/s1600-h/20131019_132501%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="20131019_132501" border="0" height="484" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hUbssEIq6Ko/UmMqsHfjuGI/AAAAAAAALBM/nraVA7xq2_s/20131019_132501_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20131019_132501" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Red Drift' on the left may have some life in him behind all those weeds, but I think 'Sweet Chariot' in the orange pot does not.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VCIimQN7Hcs/UmMqt1Om4FI/AAAAAAAALBU/1flWkAOWYEY/s1600-h/20131019_132620%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="20131019_132620" border="0" height="415" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JasFOnyklfU/UmMqukBQz4I/AAAAAAAALBY/zqcJ3vT3n0o/20131019_132620_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20131019_132620" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These faded blooms must be from 'Bonica'. I can't see the actual plant.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-53heY5CcboQ/UmMq1hNu6DI/AAAAAAAALCE/HrR1uxsR4VI/s1600-h/20131019_132812%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="20131019_132812" border="0" height="417" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-83VJxSLbUJY/UmMq2ecUgoI/AAAAAAAALCM/laW-K5JErJ8/20131019_132812_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20131019_132812" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking to the left from the patio 'Polonaise' is blooming. THE WEED is rampaging. A canna lily from several years ago has sprung to life right where 'Fourth of July' was trying to get started up the arbor. And a marauding vine from the neighbor's yard along with a weed vine have usurped the arbor. We'll see what spring brings for 'Mrs. B. R. Cant' who you can't see between the trees.</td></tr>
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Hopefully, everyone likes old photos because I’m about to impose on you all. In December my cutie and I will celebrate 36 years of marriage, so I feel like strolling down Memory Lane. Try counting the decades by the style of my eyeglasses and the absence thereof in favor of contacts in the pre-arthritis years. <br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WIFsvGqx_Hs/UmMq5NFu0aI/AAAAAAAALCk/R92ebkdQrww/s1600-h/Tom.Sherry.1978%25255B5%25255D.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Tom.Sherry.1978" border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKAQyLlXFU17cTSUEX3UNaj6gZQ5GaZfPj02-GWIBDOZB9502vQI5S4xbj47aHzJxXOuqrwKaD4Cr5TlG4RbwENbgfE2m2OsdER5D1K_RGBM955E2gIAZKXRWiCEdjCXE1DzOUw0vgcjH/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tom.Sherry.1978" width="361" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-F5DWqXJ0ado/UmMq3gMhGdI/AAAAAAAALCU/0ek9MitPkks/s1600-h/Our%252520Wedding%252520Portrait%25255B5%25255D.jpg"> <img alt="Our Wedding Portrait" border="0" height="284" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JYq9YjvsKV4/UmMq4fXjlYI/AAAAAAAALCY/f52mBYskrLA/Our%252520Wedding%252520Portrait_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Our Wedding Portrait" width="240" /> </a><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-A_k5PawH6YE/UmMq-Xf6yUI/AAAAAAAALDU/wk9eQavqTOI/s1600-h/Tom.Sherry%252520at%252520SMU%252520Blvd%252520%2525283%252529%25255B8%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tom.Sherry at SMU Blvd (3)" border="0" height="272" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0dme9cXXA2A/UmMq_AAKLnI/AAAAAAAALDc/W3USPRzVtmw/Tom.Sherry%252520at%252520SMU%252520Blvd%252520%2525283%252529_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tom.Sherry at SMU Blvd (3)" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-q1VUpDMZbC4/UmMq8pfi4PI/AAAAAAAALDE/0Me4grcTa7o/s1600-h/Tom.Sherry.LA%252520%2525282%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Tom.Sherry.LA (2)" border="0" height="201" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HnzMqS0a6GQ/UmMq9QtD2kI/AAAAAAAALDI/gVXnZ_2SMBM/Tom.Sherry.LA%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tom.Sherry.LA (2)" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RP_AWfabkvg/UmMrABaF3dI/AAAAAAAALDk/J4ZF1NehIbI/s1600-h/Tom.Sherry.van%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Tom.Sherry.van" border="0" height="281" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2uTa6t28mHE/UmMrBDHapOI/AAAAAAAALDs/V93by5SsTJg/Tom.Sherry.van_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tom.Sherry.van" width="230" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ircmWQ2EltE/UmMrDw_VUTI/AAAAAAAALEE/ZnfAczghEys/s1600-h/Tom.Sherry.golfing%25255B6%25255D.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Tom.Sherry.golfing" border="0" height="397" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pGYlGbW6J98/UmMrFOE7i6I/AAAAAAAALEI/XhVkwLJTJVg/Tom.Sherry.golfing_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tom.Sherry.golfing" width="184" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kfV0XCve4-g/UmMrCGOhT7I/AAAAAAAALD0/m0wMfcVe1ik/s1600-h/Tom.Sherry.W%252520Wedding%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Tom.Sherry.W Wedding" border="0" height="304" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-O72yWtf7wXk/UmMrC_ABz0I/AAAAAAAALD8/1POvtL1r65g/Tom.Sherry.W%252520Wedding_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tom.Sherry.W Wedding" width="435" /></a> <br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aDfJ9nxn96g/UmMrH8t1lGI/AAAAAAAALEk/qFF16nlwjtg/s1600-h/Sherry_Tom%25255B5%25255D.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Sherry_Tom" border="0" height="283" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BT66iwyB2Xs/UmMrI577XqI/AAAAAAAALEo/KLeEVRqDIu0/Sherry_Tom_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Sherry_Tom" width="415" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-V6zmYbBJx4k/UmMrF27M7dI/AAAAAAAALEU/zjQGWdr3M_w/s1600-h/Tom.Sherry%252520c.2000%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Tom.Sherry c.2000" border="0" height="283" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vdln2jjZX1A/UmMrHFmlh-I/AAAAAAAALEY/gJ7Su1Y-J_I/Tom.Sherry%252520c.2000_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tom.Sherry c.2000" width="224" /></a> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jzikNpPERWI/UmMrLad6iAI/AAAAAAAALFE/8G_85uVY7O0/s1600-h/20131019_143636%25255B5%25255D.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="20131019_143636" border="0" height="286" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-F5oAIHsSvDM/UmMrMlul1EI/AAAAAAAALFI/aLZ-xqvgIs0/20131019_143636_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20131019_143636" width="346" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He’s such a sweetie-pie!! Today and forever.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9qDnOsVxN-Y/UmMrJgzBZuI/AAAAAAAALE0/_rQyLvUatUI/s1600-h/Tom-cruise%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Tom-cruise" border="0" height="286" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OPmTs39OeCs/UmMrKTkuEMI/AAAAAAAALE4/DsGtP8tBR6M/Tom-cruise_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tom-cruise" width="204" /></a> <br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Happy autumn gardening to you all!</span></b></span></div>
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sherryocalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06367991971551038582noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7928880599026491390.post-86760077615922597452013-07-15T18:06:00.003-07:002013-07-15T18:06:57.566-07:00What have I been up to?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As life is prone to do, it has thrown me an unexpected curveball. Two months ago my dear husband suffered a stroke. At first we thought it was a mild stroke, but I’m not sure there is such a thing. The rose garden looks utterly abandoned, because there is no time for anything else. <br />
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Today I wrote the first post to a new blog about the stroke. It's meant to be a help to someone out there who is walking in my shoes, and I'm trusting that they find it. Click the “Strokes happen” tab below the top banner if you think it would be of interest to you or someone you know. Or, if perchance the tab isn't clickable (grrr), here's the link to <a href="http://sherryocalastroke.blogspot.com/">Strokes happen</a>. Someday I’ll get back to the roses that have proven themselves to be truly care-free and weed-proof. I foresee several posts on garden renovation.<br />
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I hope all of your gardens are bearing up well in the various excessive heat, excessive rain, excessive drought conditions that are out there this year. I miss you all and will be back as soon as I can. To those who believe in prayer, Tom and I are in great need of God’s grace and strength. Thank you all so much.</div>
sherryocalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06367991971551038582noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7928880599026491390.post-80487346859897760652013-05-05T21:09:00.000-07:002013-05-05T21:09:31.139-07:00High calorie candy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It’s been an unusual spring in that I’ve been <b>inside</b> working for the last month. Fortunately, the garden at this stage takes care of itself. The only thing I <b>had </b>to do in the garden was capture it with my camera, and that I did. The unusual part was that DH and I found ourselves redecorating our great room. He wanted a recliner, and from there the dominoes started falling. At points it was nerve-wracking, wonderful, physically demanding, stressful, baffling, and ultimately very satisfying. We are ecstatic about it, really. It boils down to a few new furniture pieces, clean grout (a lot of grout!), and old pieces moved around from here to there. Maybe I wouldn’t have shared it on this blog if I were not <b>this</b> thrilled with the way it turned out. I almost named this post “Stashes make dreams come true”, because my fabric stash finally realized its potential. In the post I wrote in my mind the other night I reasoned that gardeners have stashes, too. I’ve heard them referred to as pot ghettoes. I’m here to tell you – have faith in your stash, believe in your pot ghetto. One day it, too, will realize its potential.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qf93t0vsBr0/UYcHJ38ZliI/AAAAAAAAKj0/P0DE6grITBI/s1600-h/IMG_1779%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1779" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tsxMMq9SWx8/UYcHKqAFekI/AAAAAAAAKj8/-AORqVgzbo0/IMG_1779_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1779" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm gaga over blue and white. Anything French blue gets my attention. Alas, the home I lived in was never conducive to the stash of my dreams because of the presence of the dogs we loved. They're gone now...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-djRThurhVJY/UYcHLtO2HaI/AAAAAAAAKkE/bg8nRwXACJg/s1600-h/IMG_1768%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1768" border="0" height="420" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-V9Qtl-9JYwA/UYcHMCip38I/AAAAAAAAKkM/BvwzFd32uz0/IMG_1768_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1768" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and now my home is French Country and stylish, if I do say so myself, with a new sofa and ottoman. I used my stash to replace the pillow covers and make a fringed throw.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Gold Medal' - so far living up to its reputation of being a great rose in Central Florida.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uOM-QkRXOts/UYcHOpbfLxI/AAAAAAAAKkk/FP3M8mAYwuM/s1600-h/IMG_1581%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1581" border="0" height="511" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUjWX4uUtlJiuIxeS8DqoGuEw_4sVJ31Ru3SfDrZHRbLZn4hO3CZd-LeymXF5L9rJi0mqDyqCM-RjB4aIqb7pS7z4V_wLURs2AG5cWaAs1JkKYRDTkzk1JZ75Tucnozny9UnLPLk2151H/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1581" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Yazoo Jim Terry' daylily</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-D1fFsR2l5lw/UYcHQHplRHI/AAAAAAAAKk0/qp4_RwEvdHo/s1600-h/IMG_1584%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1584" border="0" height="471" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Bss8_HCgH04/UYcHQ9_pDOI/AAAAAAAAKk8/37ou6-xivEw/IMG_1584_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1584" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clematis 'Purpurea Plena Elegans'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DIZJshfCMkY/UYcHRjuMjOI/AAAAAAAAKlE/18LGWMKeM-g/s1600-h/IMG_1597%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1597" border="0" height="257" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2EJuBn8yo4E/UYcHR-vheNI/AAAAAAAAKlM/BeWcGW_e9i4/IMG_1597_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1597" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Purpurea Plena Elegans' again</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-W64lYQYxZLc/UYcHSzl0phI/AAAAAAAAKlU/OZrmM6l_fCg/s1600-h/IMG_1588%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1588" border="0" height="492" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ohIIj7oGio8/UYcHTkFCJiI/AAAAAAAAKlc/W6gV_zOExdE/IMG_1588_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1588" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Nur Mahal' - Hybrid Musk rose</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HShkpVSWVBA/UYcHUoVBYoI/AAAAAAAAKlk/giDADc6TUEo/s1600-h/IMG_1598%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1598" border="0" height="561" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-v9uvnFgiqKk/UYcHVp2PAUI/AAAAAAAAKls/UFwHjKGErRo/IMG_1598_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1598" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Nur Mahal' and 'Purpurea Plena Elegans' are teepee companions because Nur Mahal has always been indecently naked in my garden. During the winter her trellis fell over and I had to cut her way back to get the rusty thing off of her, and then the teepee/tripod ensued. The plan is to start tying Nur Mahal's canes - any day now, but don't rush me.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4VoTITu5PaA/UYcHWtZA0kI/AAAAAAAAKl0/_JVs-LFMSkU/s1600-h/IMG_1601%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1601" border="0" height="519" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-haLTxXdwrtE/UYcHXEp7rwI/AAAAAAAAKl8/RCvi3SvyVHc/IMG_1601_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1601" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Louis Philippe', the rose hunk for every Florida garden. Do I need to say it again? Get this rose! It loves Florida.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AObH_gYUor0/UYcHYk1G4pI/AAAAAAAAKmE/rnXtFMytnBU/s1600-h/IMG_1602%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1602" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-p_9QWE5mTUg/UYcHZYovnnI/AAAAAAAAKmM/L-wRWX97EKA/IMG_1602_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1602" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wonder of wonders, this baby hydrangea is blooming bigger flowers than its tiny little body. First in the garden to bloom! I can live with that. Sorry, I don't have the name handy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TORcdFne228/UYcHaqWh9HI/AAAAAAAAKmU/joKxpfSqMws/s1600-h/IMG_1604%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1604" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8m31Eod6r0k/UYcHbkdrsaI/AAAAAAAAKmc/z3Q0hAz4z6s/IMG_1604_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1604" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hydrangea 'Limelight' - first of all, I'm glad it survived being transplanted into a bit more sun, and second of all, the dang thing is always last to leaf out. May is <b>very</b> late here. Things have been given up for dead by this time, but I'm so glad he's alive. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yBSQySXMYtc/UYcHcfCqa_I/AAAAAAAAKmk/Zp3vDkq7TRo/s1600-h/IMG_1608%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1608" border="0" height="551" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eDf0MU-oJP4/UYcHdVV0D8I/AAAAAAAAKms/eqKIlB7LIFQ/IMG_1608_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1608" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Absolute Treasure' daylily</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HXn98htI-jY/UYcHeKaEBFI/AAAAAAAAKm0/fSphQ7P7fsQ/s1600-h/IMG_1609%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1609" border="0" height="583" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CaBFfSDAmqg/UYcHeuxhzOI/AAAAAAAAKm8/PUh90VuRXBc/IMG_1609_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1609" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Caribbean Perfection Plus'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EWR3Ls_zUCM/UYcHfiT3tDI/AAAAAAAAKnE/igUJRlc2MZc/s1600-h/IMG_1610%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1610" border="0" height="537" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MGP6qs1YJtQ/UYcHgJdHf4I/AAAAAAAAKnM/M3j0Uhn9WME/IMG_1610_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1610" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'American Original'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0wPyY_-XMrk/UYcHg_iLwZI/AAAAAAAAKnU/nf9XDqMZL7k/s1600-h/IMG_1612%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1612" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kbUpLBnEc_Q/UYcHhieDOcI/AAAAAAAAKnc/Wh0K0gYrv8s/IMG_1612_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1612" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NOID - this gorgeous and very fragrant maroon rose on Fortuniana rootstock was purchased at our rose festival last November with no name tag. I've dug around on HelpMeFind.com and think it might possibly be 'Intrigue' but that's a guess. This first bloom was poor quality which is typical - in my garden anyway.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GomkS27oDw8/UYcHifXwJcI/AAAAAAAAKnk/v8uzVYSXn7c/s1600-h/IMG_1613%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1613" border="0" height="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6GXgnR6stYqMzr2iTc2PtD82IetxCHpRV4ozOGputqE3rQeAcuK0WhsV1JcU5TKNM4oSQY-JkUgVm4iVGHfFxepio5hsXYe4reEqSeYMd1NJN7I-fY6_1pGQFzfmjWt0M1zh_mifuvm3M/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1613" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Sewing Circle'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gMRxGbfnQxM/UYcHj0j9tKI/AAAAAAAAKn0/hAbW4gEsjFA/s1600-h/IMG_1621%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1621" border="0" height="471" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OGInogTALt4/UYcHktwWo2I/AAAAAAAAKn8/iMIb3QwXfBw/IMG_1621_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1621" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Mrs. B. R. Cant'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ik6vX0fbQBY/UYcHleMm4NI/AAAAAAAAKoE/DFvEze0_zgA/s1600-h/IMG_1625%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1625" border="0" height="569" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4Zoe2wCIxgY/UYcHmHhV5GI/AAAAAAAAKoM/OoJhp_kBP7Q/IMG_1625_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1625" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Moonstruck Madness'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TVv7Kof5wk4/UYcHnsqIy7I/AAAAAAAAKoU/A947xqsJBko/s1600-h/IMG_1633%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1633" border="0" height="588" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PZdfftxBaMo/UYcHollFCNI/AAAAAAAAKoc/9cStqf96d4Y/IMG_1633_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1633" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Francois Juranville' is scaring me.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8Lirmlt7nvU/UYcHpji09BI/AAAAAAAAKok/gig2e7sUuSg/s1600-h/IMG_1634%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1634" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-A4toovLnf5Y/UYcHqn2TUGI/AAAAAAAAKos/B5T7QKeFYbk/IMG_1634_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1634" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is FJ's fourth year, and here is his flush. Did that sound mean? I really don't care because I just wanted something green to grow on this rebar arbor, and he is perfectly healthy and evergreen, but I'm kinda starting to care.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fgmMopYkYZg/UYcHroM9UbI/AAAAAAAAKo0/Gl_4A-c65mY/s1600-h/IMG_1431%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1431" border="0" height="460" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-djVHaYQpLTk/UYcHsRfwR9I/AAAAAAAAKo8/H5H7JpjtRkw/IMG_1431_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1431" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aptly named 'Killer'.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-B-lAlQQxel4/UYcHtOG7pSI/AAAAAAAAKpE/3NhWhWfsV1w/s1600-h/IMG_1368%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1368" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YyYvVKIxyY8/UYcHt_84yBI/AAAAAAAAKpM/_clXsgpwWHg/IMG_1368_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1368" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Key To My Heart'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ki-2ZJj7QSQ/UYcHu-TwRZI/AAAAAAAAKpU/4xbRlnEc_aA/s1600-h/IMG_1639%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1639" border="0" height="545" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1QuFZn4h-ls/UYcHvntMl7I/AAAAAAAAKpc/El7JBXzPXKk/IMG_1639_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1639" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Indy Indy' - I totally love the color of this daylily which is also a heavy bloomer.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jDurqRtE8GU/UYcHwlAK_8I/AAAAAAAAKpk/RdayBQrMlvk/s1600-h/IMG_1644%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1644" border="0" height="473" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--i57ctenzEk/UYcHxchCd4I/AAAAAAAAKps/fZsqetlUF0A/IMG_1644_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1644" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Quietness' on the left and 'Hot Cocoa' on the right. I didn't think not getting a photo on the first day of Quietness in full bloom would be a terrible omission, but then next day (and the next for six days) it rained. She was so beautiful, and I missed it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WduLO46b4Yc/UYcHyUYd5DI/AAAAAAAAKp0/NQMmPhGBG5g/s1600-h/IMG_1645%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1645" border="0" height="580" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EYBAwGnufT4/UYcHzGC4aTI/AAAAAAAAKp8/OzoME8EIoyQ/IMG_1645_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1645" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I need to clean my desk before I can tell you the name of this one.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xuW9dUPHors/UYcH0ISUJsI/AAAAAAAAKqE/dzjhal0Ydd4/s1600-h/IMG_1651%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1651" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VubQo2aLUHA/UYcH0iMrarI/AAAAAAAAKqM/2ivoSGbgIq8/IMG_1651_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1651" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dahlia 'Kelvin Floodlight', described as dinner plate sized, but I'd say more like desert plate - so far. And pushing five feet tall. Doesn't mind the rain a bit. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--ZS6tYrHkuo/UYcH1vsBSRI/AAAAAAAAKqU/2lOK7VtdMvs/s1600-h/IMG_1656%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1656" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TJmkbsgnOqg/UYcH2Ya4CoI/AAAAAAAAKqc/_0vpqFnPEqE/IMG_1656_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1656" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whoever said red and purple together is tacky certainly wasn't describing nature. 'Byzantine Emperor' with volunteer 'Rocket' larkspur.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-egqOvLdBXK8/UYcH3VhmgFI/AAAAAAAAKqk/N-OtPYDNABg/s1600-h/IMG_1657%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1657" border="0" height="401" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UJZ6IbL3fIc/UYcH4EygFqI/AAAAAAAAKqs/akwFzlCQByI/IMG_1657_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1657" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Fred Ham'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-u7ptShLi1Rs/UYcH5M8F4AI/AAAAAAAAKq0/sTA6xpzGKeg/s1600-h/IMG_1660%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1660" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BllHZzof0b8/UYcH7HFRzJI/AAAAAAAAKq8/dTXTtHTgJWE/IMG_1660_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1660" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You may see this combo again in this post. The colors knock my socks off.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8HAbMbch89w/UYcH8DBBOJI/AAAAAAAAKrA/Y49l_OsPcks/s1600-h/IMG_1661%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1661" border="0" height="583" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8WsocIiw_ws/UYcH82FJfuI/AAAAAAAAKrI/8Vm-jZhyb-c/IMG_1661_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1661" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Byzantine Emperor' and 'Fred Ham'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wYJCOaQzbo8/UYcH90YoTCI/AAAAAAAAKrU/LY1HlpGurrE/s1600-h/IMG_1655%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1655" border="0" height="460" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-B8fJopUUa6Y/UYcH-yfNysI/AAAAAAAAKrc/avUdcfwIz70/IMG_1655_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1655" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Madame Abel Chatenay' - 1894 Hybrid Tea</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pWDcxfG0mUw/UYcH_9g9oKI/AAAAAAAAKrk/3Gl_gNJyNmE/s1600-h/IMG_1662%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1662" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7Qjbg408J3k/UYcIA6JYM8I/AAAAAAAAKrs/5mx7pMCcwKQ/IMG_1662_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1662" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mme Abel Chatenay is working on her second flush, although she doesn't really stop blooming in between flushes. Lots of new growth and buds.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Xzk_0saWPrk/UYcICN0DLRI/AAAAAAAAKr0/1qFhFPV8fdc/s1600-h/IMG_1663%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1663" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jdt88L4Jngk/UYcIC4KXPRI/AAAAAAAAKr8/FmhKqrRg9HY/IMG_1663_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1663" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You should have been here last week.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hLtLojZpBJ8/UYcIDtM_0FI/AAAAAAAAKsE/H-ux74DFJZU/s1600-h/IMG_1664%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1664" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Vg3hwdiKbgs/UYcIETWIz5I/AAAAAAAAKsM/3aq4andhLU8/IMG_1664_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1664" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MAC is a very sturdy, reliable garden rose. Always healthy (no-spray) until the end of the season - which is very long here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KBGWyw2f614/UYcIFjPB6VI/AAAAAAAAKsU/_b0IduDq0Zo/s1600-h/IMG_1453%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1453" border="0" height="436" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ynC45nMjR1I/UYcIGR5aOxI/AAAAAAAAKsY/C0AmQJzvub8/IMG_1453_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1453" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, well, I guess you didn't miss last week's flush after all, and she wasn't even bothered by thrips. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XEtLxG3Mb1s/UYcIHbdxEwI/AAAAAAAAKsk/TcGm3YUBIKA/s1600-h/IMG_1665%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1665" border="0" height="644" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iZcrpm3iQrs/UYcIIBr5nyI/AAAAAAAAKss/Hu_o7BRgpQY/IMG_1665_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1665" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Byzantine Emperor' - do you believe I got this daylily from Sam's? Thirteen in a box for $9.99 back when I knew nothing about daylilies. Love it!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TSUnItTOCFw/UYcII8HVEsI/AAAAAAAAKs0/XzxaABcZJRM/s1600-h/IMG_1668%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1668" border="0" height="575" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tRuObvSm3s4/UYcIJi2U1yI/AAAAAAAAKs8/xcc77CZzgHo/IMG_1668_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1668" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My desk is on my list of things to do.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KsYlKZrs0t8/UYcIK0WbUJI/AAAAAAAAKtE/4fDKBoQIh04/s1600-h/IMG_1670%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1670" border="0" height="441" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Cn70-PfvnCI/UYcILt4LlwI/AAAAAAAAKtM/1zMruNQnOG4/IMG_1670_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1670" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clematis 'Maria Cornelia' - Dan at <a href="http://www.gardenvines.com/shop/">Brushwood Nursery</a> told me she was very pretty when I bought her, but last year (her first) she's was kind of a dud. Well, she's strutting her stuff this year! Thank you, Dan!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jyRoNp0GqH8/UYcIMjacMhI/AAAAAAAAKtU/3nNQgcoDtJg/s1600-h/IMG_1671%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1671" border="0" height="544" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bL4rlGFRafg/UYcINK1G39I/AAAAAAAAKtc/c3-dNW8N53M/IMG_1671_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1671" width="375" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't have anything to say about this shot. I just wanted you to see it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JbFraCEEtAs/UYcIOVJO4YI/AAAAAAAAKtk/uUTaUcNutoo/s1600-h/IMG_1672%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1672" border="0" height="401" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-anpIN2jK1Ds/UYcIPPOw_vI/AAAAAAAAKts/dZumHFrIQG8/IMG_1672_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1672" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mailbox was getting a bit floppy after last year's anonymous assault on it. DH added a little more duck tape. D'ya think anyone will notice?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eu1MlAPDah0/UYcIWp8yFdI/AAAAAAAAKt0/Pr6wqqRHcLw/s1600-h/IMG_1674%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1674" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-n3RbN6a_7W8/UYcIXKshzbI/AAAAAAAAKt8/uUcQgWivzf0/IMG_1674_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1674" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Get off my back about the desk, OK? Please... </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-h6caWFqkOYA/UYcIYI42bxI/AAAAAAAAKuE/5jGhvD32gik/s1600-h/IMG_1675%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1675" border="0" height="420" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rXWz8-e0Ye8/UYcIY4c06sI/AAAAAAAAKuM/tsnoBY1kubc/IMG_1675_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1675" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Starfish Moon'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TxwxC7xGUhk/UYcIZztxjrI/AAAAAAAAKuU/pAwePxg35NM/s1600-h/IMG_1678%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1678" border="0" height="335" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BiBt4ucdUAY/UYcIan_AGmI/AAAAAAAAKuc/Mk7-uXKEj6E/IMG_1678_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1678" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Becky Lynn'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3cKqhUMsqTo/UYcIbpDVD6I/AAAAAAAAKuk/LLUop5R8zb8/s1600-h/IMG_1686%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1686" border="0" height="471" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-P4BT_MZOA_c/UYcIcaIOsYI/AAAAAAAAKus/UT9jTYsBngA/IMG_1686_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1686" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Becky Lynn'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hbXNjjP1tvY/UYcIdsZNbOI/AAAAAAAAKu0/h129yP-0CZs/s1600-h/IMG_1679%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1679" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8pIuLZ5Dis4/UYcIeTIHLgI/AAAAAAAAKu8/vqwcC3uTUdk/IMG_1679_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1679" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's that red daylily that I can't figure out.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rdbHQh6biLo/UYcIfhDF26I/AAAAAAAAKvE/oOkIIb5xBhE/s1600-h/IMG_1684%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1684" border="0" height="396" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mJidHnIaaJU/UYcIgZi6TQI/AAAAAAAAKvM/aqV3H82kDa0/IMG_1684_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1684" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is why 'Maggie' left my garden the first time. This time I'm just going to ignore her. She can be ugly all day long... until she gets over it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-T5ElmltyAmg/UYcIh-iT_pI/AAAAAAAAKvU/tqjBFod-acI/s1600-h/IMG_1693%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1693" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-J3gnDPI089o/UYcIi2gsjrI/AAAAAAAAKvc/2VyCsmyuV6s/IMG_1693_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1693" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An aerial view makes 'Maggie' look a teensy bit better, and the fallen petals help.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hdOZ2oB8bpk/UYcIjnORJHI/AAAAAAAAKvk/0F_byps_5SY/s1600-h/IMG_1689%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1689" border="0" height="593" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VS6ZzBixB90/UYcIkRJITGI/AAAAAAAAKvs/dEkG8jNBB_A/IMG_1689_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1689" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'll get back to you on this one.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UgEyj4LCTt0/UYcIlH26OII/AAAAAAAAKv0/vGPyG7GF04Y/s1600-h/IMG_1691%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1691" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-C8EO1WIpjYE/UYcIlvPrTYI/AAAAAAAAKv8/AU3tKFO8_E0/IMG_1691_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1691" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Sherry Lane Carr'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nw6jE6ICtrI/UYcImv9xfPI/AAAAAAAAKwE/dUWUUhQ5qvQ/s1600-h/IMG_1692%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1692" border="0" height="601" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-d7yXmy-jMqg/UYcInEC2H1I/AAAAAAAAKwM/TK8jDzHAvzE/IMG_1692_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1692" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Kent's Favorite Two'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cGsX6DjlYis/UYcIoJm9unI/AAAAAAAAKwU/GFYrSnihocA/s1600-h/IMG_1704%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1704" border="0" height="572" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uJ6g434zRi8/UYcIpG7vCjI/AAAAAAAAKwc/Glsb-9tCWD8/IMG_1704_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1704" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Rosette Delizy' about to start what looks like a nice flush, and she's only six months in the ground.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-av8Hu6RVENg/UYcIqM42njI/AAAAAAAAKwk/f6kPmF0r-SM/s1600-h/IMG_1710%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1710" border="0" height="404" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8G2qC1IjQMk/UYcIqyHGsaI/AAAAAAAAKws/OXla990Qujc/IMG_1710_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1710" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Souvenir de la Malmaison' had a wonderful first flush that the thrips totally destroyed. So just for the heck of it, she's starting again.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cULsls4tVNE/UYcIsDa4_LI/AAAAAAAAKw0/ixr29qVz7N4/s1600-h/IMG_1713%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1713" border="0" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj21FQmshAkR1tpul2HzSHxzHuiiRrL-gTcJrt0S3KCToTro4OBQQCYaN7xDiYardhYshBh7OzTF0vJTkGNzMgM6ZGN-sTl-NmggrMigT4GMMrBksPIf_X6AxutRizZVRp_vQf01wHmai0/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1713" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Chrysler Imperial' scoffs at six days of rain.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-07qO8V-0cDw/UYcIt-cQi2I/AAAAAAAAKxE/qu8kKZzvYnY/s1600-h/IMG_1721%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1721" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6t7MMFyGbYc/UYcIul3MqZI/AAAAAAAAKxM/2mnBk57_7FA/IMG_1721_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1721" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thought this was 'Hero Worship' but not sure.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6FIwt-t8k4o/UYcIvnRIboI/AAAAAAAAKxU/NmnVsDkGLaE/s1600-h/IMG_1722%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1722" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LXrNJeJlUrg/UYcIwg_BrCI/AAAAAAAAKxc/crYBBUPGJHE/IMG_1722_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1722" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whoever it is, he sure is gorgeous!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-A-rh-ppUvOs/UYcIxllVlPI/AAAAAAAAKxk/954eH7TOMKI/s1600-h/IMG_1724%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1724" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-K62AyaTnr7A/UYcIyBuDNbI/AAAAAAAAKxs/sEf5W1DjpP4/IMG_1724_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1724" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, yeah, I missed the opening of 'Rhodologue Jules Gravereaux's first big candelabra. I bet he was really pretty. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4mSp_e9L_-4/UYcIzZkojVI/AAAAAAAAKx0/7OdW2ZRvwOA/s1600-h/IMG_1727%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1727" border="0" height="433" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7xA5T4dg4vw/UYcI0Hg2VTI/AAAAAAAAKx8/O5WqyGuNW4I/IMG_1727_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1727" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first thought at seeing this photo was that God is so good at arranging flowers he doesn't even need a vase. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ol4P3kZ6bF8/UYcI1IDgI8I/AAAAAAAAKyE/MudEiaSV_Co/s1600-h/IMG_1728%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1728" border="0" height="313" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3594WVT-eaY/UYcI14d_JGI/AAAAAAAAKyM/j9HTwZbj5Nk/IMG_1728_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1728" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SDLM's corner - not much happening this minute - but pretty soon 'Mme Lombard', 'Darcey Bussell' and Curly Pink' will have something to say.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XQVRERdu0MM/UYcI2xdnAaI/AAAAAAAAKyU/Txmq-kBi6wg/s1600-h/IMG_1729%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1729" border="0" height="644" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PervVuV2P08/UYcI3xWTpzI/AAAAAAAAKyc/16a6Npp1tM8/IMG_1729_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1729" width="629" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Green Ice' in the pot, 'Duquesa' straight ahead, and 'Rhodologue Jules Gravereaux' at far right - along with the Floodlights, Kelvin's, that is.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KlIbg46FcIc/UYcI5CNHy6I/AAAAAAAAKyk/tcCcoHw9jqw/s1600-h/IMG_1733%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1733" border="0" height="396" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cQP65TPgPc8/UYcI6CWXWnI/AAAAAAAAKys/Hp6bFJdH0og/IMG_1733_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1733" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If your 'Lillian Austin' is scrawny and barely more than sticks, I say dig her up and put her in a pot. Such a transformation is almost unbelievable.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-N5iir5vFDsA/UYcI7YFtodI/AAAAAAAAKy0/ha6wL4fVFRA/s1600-h/IMG_1462%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1462" border="0" height="527" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yppSS6_LExg/UYcI8Ir7mhI/AAAAAAAAKy8/4_4vjmYNTNU/IMG_1462_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1462" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here she is a week ago.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-at5PIEm7YjU/UYcI9P9NHPI/AAAAAAAAKzE/xZ05AGdMTVo/s1600-h/IMG_1736%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1736" border="0" height="457" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HWxhkAY9yHg/UYcI9-aP1CI/AAAAAAAAKzM/hzoZUML69-A/IMG_1736_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1736" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Madame Lombard'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ln15x6CqER8/UYcI-0q4FLI/AAAAAAAAKzU/_3DPj7WNUAk/s1600-h/IMG_1741%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1741" border="0" height="380" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zqyvTzqXTdQ/UYcI_i1rizI/AAAAAAAAKzc/7SEtq2jZiAw/IMG_1741_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1741" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Le Baron' dahlia on the right. 'Peach Drift' is in the upper left with just a smattering of blooms after her flush.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1odnOldx_dpOz5sTcDuCvLljTzqeOdvVUAzxmU5JEUSaIsrFybPj5KM2lvuAZxHLKZRq-uLLOa-2AiB59JeyKHR7T5dENPorEZQhnH2YkbXjMzwDXbHlU9_J9biXMpliTQGZNhXaEFi_/s1600-h/IMG_1742%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1742" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JcvtvdK38bc/UYcJB1NmXUI/AAAAAAAAKzs/5HwcPvnfIdw/IMG_1742_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1742" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little 'Rosette Delizy' but not for long, I think.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yuOzT2rFHeE/UYcJDJgFRjI/AAAAAAAAKz0/TWb-DaO8xeY/s1600-h/IMG_1757%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1757" border="0" height="567" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YMWb49Kq4tw/UYcJDuC5mQI/AAAAAAAAKz8/Xc78VWf4xUo/IMG_1757_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1757" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Le Vesuve'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZh6xmI5BpUkXEMv6DZPB9WKVXWGXpxodfnFMezcyejht6QstMYWKq_bay5vaXJFDlWNxRn_Ay2kIQJXu3ATzrogdxDGwsocgaHxkleESCx55Ob3k-10REFWjtDG3J8-NVl0eTGs3ma-L/s1600-h/IMG_1760%25255B5%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1760" border="0" height="604" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_B1gnLE3_Yw/UYcJFVY_ieI/AAAAAAAAK0M/QGEI2E3ZyzE/IMG_1760_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1760" width="404" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, 'Maria Cornelia' is very pretty. She's on a four-foot metal obelisk.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CPtRSV69Vxg/UYcJGBwk1NI/AAAAAAAAK0U/Je55Ov6Ssdw/s1600-h/IMG_1764%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1764" border="0" height="508" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WVELf27mqjI/UYcJGicBI1I/AAAAAAAAK0c/4DdHrEbypi4/IMG_1764_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1764" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Puccini'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7TedFf09qoI/UYcJHvNA0ZI/AAAAAAAAK0k/zV2j6IoWviE/s1600-h/IMG_1765%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1765" border="0" height="540" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8jRg9AeZo9g/UYcJIVgV6kI/AAAAAAAAK0s/K5Gp0CglrtE/IMG_1765_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1765" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Clotilde Soupert, Climbing' - one good flower on all three Clotildes. They're having a terrible time with balling. You would, too, if your zillion petals had been in the rain for six days right after a thrips attack. Poor things.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-I9_nYnts3Tw/UYcJJdu5LQI/AAAAAAAAK00/BAR_07nCgU8/s1600-h/IMG_1036%252520%2525282%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1036 (2)" border="0" height="572" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--t52PpbKjtI/UYcJKAU9IbI/AAAAAAAAK08/Oxu3UaotH5U/IMG_1036%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1036 (2)" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Belinda's Dream'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-C918g61Tt-8/UYcJLVXPTWI/AAAAAAAAK1E/btoEKhWWnX4/s1600-h/IMG_1066%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1066" border="0" height="404" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fnMwFgIDcNk/UYcJMBZT8UI/AAAAAAAAK1M/ztZ0A8dr7qg/IMG_1066_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1066" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Rocket' larkspur trying to upstage 'Le Vesuve'.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MVun0UneiEI/UYcJNPw-krI/AAAAAAAAK1U/62O5PsklCZ4/s1600-h/IMG_1755%25255B6%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1755" border="0" height="292" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-k6rdToWi880/UYcJN8KgpzI/AAAAAAAAK1c/k9fv0zHjJ-E/IMG_1755_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1755" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A couple of days ago starting to tone down, but not too bad considering all the rain we had.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GqHHmrvk6mY/UYcJOsoC24I/AAAAAAAAK1k/vpVmtCCP6Xw/s1600-h/IMG_1112%25255B6%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1112" border="0" height="303" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VJeVuubHq5c/UYcJPfWHeFI/AAAAAAAAK1s/UwTms7V-9O0/IMG_1112_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1112" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But quite different from a week ago.</td></tr>
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<br />
One thing I’ve learned about my garden is that it takes forever to change when I'm watching it and it changes overnight when I'm not looking. It’s kind of like that old saying, “You don’t know what you have until it's gone.” Paying attention is 95% of gardening. Or it seems that way anyway.<br />
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Happy gardening, everyone!!<br />
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sherryocalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06367991971551038582noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7928880599026491390.post-91200262764807241832013-04-11T12:48:00.003-07:002013-04-11T12:48:29.668-07:00It begins<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Pic heavy. That’s the story of my blogging life. Pics. Mouth-watering pics. For this rose gardener they were the entry-drug, the irresistible temptation, the baited trap that guaranteed my doom, er… addiction, er… joyous pastime. So naturally, I’m paying it forward. Someday you’ll thank me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kMwzeR73VmU/UWbSk-PGXBI/AAAAAAAAKS8/NH35LRZnbYA/s1600-h/IMG_0270%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0270" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4wzOo9D5mZQ/UWbSlphy6HI/AAAAAAAAKTE/lJ-QUKnaOGk/IMG_0270_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0270" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who says you can't have an English cottage garden in Florida? These larkspurs reseed every spring. I've learned to thin them (yes, they're thinned) and stake them. Otherwise, they fall all over the place like the one on the right, but then it sends flowers straight up and looks lovely, so I let it be.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-D_FnmW1_KP0/UWbSme2TbsI/AAAAAAAAKTM/AsU29oWYDDE/s1600-h/IMG_0273%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0273" border="0" height="463" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8x9NonwICv8/UWbSnIYwHQI/AAAAAAAAKTU/XKDumEHLJs4/IMG_0273_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0273" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful 'Souvenir de la Malmaison' has returned in all her glory.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yu7TI8SjASg/UWbSnxXyB3I/AAAAAAAAKTc/CtHYgMyfNoo/s1600-h/IMG_0274%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0274" border="0" height="436" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PbY3-ag20tg/UWbSotc8uZI/AAAAAAAAKTk/M_5b18Mjfys/IMG_0274_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0274" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Western Flower Thrips arrived right on schedule at the end of March. Last Sunday night I sprayed Saf-T-Side horticultural oil, and even though I screwed up the directions by half, it seems to have helped. SDLM's first blooms were a sickly grayish white and some were balling, but now she's her normal pink self. I think the yucky center in this pic is thrips damage. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kLHBKI_UkSA/UWbSpvAkcvI/AAAAAAAAKTs/1jCUSH2zfw0/s1600-h/IMG_0275%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0275" border="0" height="380" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cmGi_dG9nkA/UWbSqTlXFlI/AAAAAAAAKT0/vkao4zYmawc/IMG_0275_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0275" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a bush shot of SDLM, showing lots of buds. Another thing I did Sunday was give every rose a dose of quick-acting nitrogen, namely Blood Meal. From discussions on the Antique Roses Forum I learned that roses take up the most nitrogen just as they are setting flower buds, so the nitrogen has to be there to be taken up, naturally. In my sandy garden nitrogen leaches out seemingly instantly, needing continual replenishing, and lots of yellow leaves with BS spots were evidence of the deficiency. (Note: these OGRs are resistant to black spot if they're strong and healthy, so the yellow BS leaves were a clue.) I think the blast of nitrogen is helping to produce a big flush. I will repeat the Blood Meal at the beginning of every flush from now on.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-y2uMZFC0zG4/UWbSrUKJ9eI/AAAAAAAAKT8/vTBAxn_ai9I/s1600-h/IMG_0276%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0276" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3aMy_cwmScI/UWbSsf29mzI/AAAAAAAAKUE/9Ao6ZQBLm4c/IMG_0276_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0276" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I guess I'm bragging with this shot. Bragging that the Creator of all gardens invented beautiful flowering plants that perpetuate themselves.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Su7BDaW0ODk/UWbStLJv2iI/AAAAAAAAKUM/Oqit2tMUce4/s1600-h/IMG_0277%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0277" border="0" height="476" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-v9cXQ1RKQdM/UWbSt_ZcJ4I/AAAAAAAAKUU/S9oUSstlW_c/IMG_0277_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0277" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I hadn't been out all day due to pressing issues in the house (laundry, etc.), and when we got home after eating out, I saw this and let out a screech of glee! I ran for the camera, hoping to catch the waning light. This is daylily 'Pearl Harbor' and more larkspur.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7Cd2-oSnoq8/UWbSvO_oZ1I/AAAAAAAAKUc/nN51TSzVZc0/s1600-h/IMG_0280%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0280" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4sj-TjsJqtU/UWbSv3xCjFI/AAAAAAAAKUk/Fy64NWSbwPs/IMG_0280_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0280" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love Drift roses! This is 'Coral Drift' in a pot, big and buxom and green. 'Softee' is to the left, 'Borderer' at the top, and more larkspur.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ko_kIix2qGQ/UWbSxXHLCWI/AAAAAAAAKUs/bWuLGlFdtyU/s1600-h/IMG_0283%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0283" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-di89BIGnO1s/UWbSyPVWlZI/AAAAAAAAKU0/TLWVZ0Z7rK0/IMG_0283_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0283" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do you have a "difficult" spot? Try a Drift rose. This one is planted inches from the curb in road-bed - basically, limestone cement-like crap. I've amended it over the years, but it's still road-bed. This 'Coral Drift' doesn't seem to care a bit. She was transplanted here over the winter.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-52AQuDT8900/UWbSzTzzutI/AAAAAAAAKU8/VAdxg347-sU/s1600-h/IMG_0284%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0284" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0s5sXkF-goE/UWbS0fZOaOI/AAAAAAAAKVE/35YljqmLuKo/IMG_0284_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0284" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my second-year 'Maggie'. You are a keen observer if you think she doesn't look so hot. That was my view when I dismissed her six years ago with only a year under her belt, but I'm determined to let her mature this time, hoping she'll eventually be able to defend herself against the black spot that plagues the long-caned Bourbons here. Her big, smelly blooms and others' success with her demand patience.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-l1jzhnrBGRI/UWbS1VMOfiI/AAAAAAAAKVM/hrUDbeTHYzc/s1600-h/IMG_0285%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0285" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--yvVW86OqZ4/UWbS2Oiyf5I/AAAAAAAAKVU/s7qzy5pxL-c/IMG_0285_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0285" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good golly, Miss Molly! Daylily 'Sherry Lane Carr' is going to put on a show!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FAIIeWb348M/UWbS3V5phTI/AAAAAAAAKVc/PKiK4cTXU48/s1600-h/IMG_0287%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0287" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YPCVIsRNEDk/UWbS4HpxpjI/AAAAAAAAKVk/W1TsYY7lB04/IMG_0287_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0287" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Madame Lombard' is on the left, and two 'Souvenir de la Malmaison' bushes look like one on the right. Notice the scattering of yellow leaves on SDLM. You look past them in a no-spray OGR garden in Florida and glory in all the beautiful green foliage. It takes a while to learn to quit fretting and let the rose be herself. 'Madame Lombard' on the other hand is still finding <b>her</b> self. At present she's pretty bare and gawky (light on the pretty except for her blooms). Just wait another few years. She'll be a big, beautiful bush - fingers crossed.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7jaBrkmU070/UWbS5G-TGtI/AAAAAAAAKVs/nF7L_jSD6DA/s1600-h/IMG_0288%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0288" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FQzLD75X9ek/UWbS54SeYPI/AAAAAAAAKV0/6ifVNMOaeKc/IMG_0288_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0288" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can't resist sharing these.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OwFiSnuWExw/UWbS7ZBSDkI/AAAAAAAAKV8/EczMKAPoa38/s1600-h/IMG_0290%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0290" border="0" height="505" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PxWiJxgcu6A/UWbS8XwxscI/AAAAAAAAKWE/9BSHYTEcUOk/IMG_0290_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0290" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wider view.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Sy_al4Q6ywA/UWbS9Q9jYLI/AAAAAAAAKWM/rWT7jnRgU7s/s1600-h/IMG_0291%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0291" border="0" height="544" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vh8l7_jtXM8/UWbS_cu-a-I/AAAAAAAAKWU/9w9NwrXuXOk/IMG_0291_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0291" width="427" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And a taller view.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Vx3zyFA2Y0o/UWbTAHAY4tI/AAAAAAAAKWc/sqQGEPTfhjY/s1600-h/IMG_0292%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0292" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XtQ_K1oMmuw/UWbTAg9h0kI/AAAAAAAAKWk/c2Xci_8N5yg/IMG_0292_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0292" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Pearl Harbor' again. Such magnificent beauty deserves repeating. After all, it <b>is</b> a different angle.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-C1h7TVbTP7k/UWbTBeX3i2I/AAAAAAAAKWs/PGEIrfGZQVc/s1600-h/IMG_0295%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0295" border="0" height="473" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TgyXjOGcAGQ/UWbTB3hyRqI/AAAAAAAAKW0/cYuYb_5JMsQ/IMG_0295_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0295" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Le Vesuve' just getting started.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ffn1tXZ6ZAo/UWbTCskcn8I/AAAAAAAAKW8/-rgv2rRR_20/s1600-h/IMG_0298%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0298" border="0" height="524" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Yqc67ClxnRo/UWbTDBbEPKI/AAAAAAAAKXE/n5SEieJdj_M/IMG_0298_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0298" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Le Vesuve' is not like any other rose. She dances to her own exquisite beat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DdhvzDaSSvs/UWbTDrLWfFI/AAAAAAAAKXM/5azMna68lsk/s1600-h/IMG_0299%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0299" border="0" height="241" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WTbjsJtXi1I/UWbTEAKDttI/AAAAAAAAKXU/rtG3MzvfMMI/IMG_0299_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0299" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And 'Borderer' loves to dance to several tunes at one time.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rYr9m0Itxmo/UWbTFapd9mI/AAAAAAAAKXc/gWZw2xvr5L8/s1600-h/IMG_0300%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0300" border="0" height="473" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6SMPtDErODk/UWbTGCJowrI/AAAAAAAAKXk/WuwTkqV8g_s/IMG_0300_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0300" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Curly Pink' has finally stopped shrinking. Sometimes these babies require more patience and TLC than we think we are capable of. Never give up!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-U-0lanL05nM/UWbTG3nsQ4I/AAAAAAAAKXs/1pQgaAaj9gc/s1600-h/IMG_0301%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0301" border="0" height="447" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lt_5rflKeyM/UWbTHXLJVYI/AAAAAAAAKX0/tIhoC4_UgGw/IMG_0301_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0301" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Anda' is determined to blow out my camera lens. He is red as red can be and so sweetly single.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-S4JW-Myah3Q/UWbTIArj56I/AAAAAAAAKX8/ZLWt9u77JUs/s1600-h/IMG_0304%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0304" border="0" height="431" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-LuDdNgWSJPam3Yv9ewa3QN7btDpoYoDXHnS6JdG1K9JGbusHzI2N6WppsaBgum1M0q-PudewGoCHwLcIiQWOvWpsgxoUPNXbtzQ8W5fjUvO4K6GbBx_9i8eyHHq2HFkjhPZtBCq-QRU/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0304" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David Austin's 'Darcey Bussell' is a knock-'em-dead winner, growing big and blooming strong after only two months in the ground.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-f84imG5B8_M/UWbTJGPEocI/AAAAAAAAKYM/TWMZpIa4QpI/s1600-h/IMG_0307%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0307" border="0" height="544" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Q-Xhz6CcuCE/UWbTJ8ONNmI/AAAAAAAAKYU/r9bzI79f4g8/IMG_0307_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0307" width="488" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately, you can't tell how huge this bud of 'Chrysler Imperial' is. Wow!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--R0vDq9oCE8/UWbTKSGTYaI/AAAAAAAAKYc/wh--NF3dWCQ/s1600-h/IMG_0310%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0310" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uWVYCE3-3qc/UWbTK6I-0LI/AAAAAAAAKYk/S0DuYilTD0k/IMG_0310_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0310" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ever changeable, ever grand 'Madame Lombard'. This flower is as tall as it is wide. So incredible.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ORCEHyi0BAM/UWbTLixSpuI/AAAAAAAAKYs/yG-9ZRIUof0/s1600-h/IMG_0311%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0311" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xvnRKa1FzaY/UWbTMJsFqpI/AAAAAAAAKY0/EFdlojb4CKc/IMG_0311_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0311" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a higher view of the exquisiteness of 'Mme Lombard'.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RlL2I89kdz0/UWbTMgXxBII/AAAAAAAAKY8/P8WMdm6tvoA/s1600-h/IMG_0312%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0312" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wJDqOpEZ_yY/UWbTNGx5z1I/AAAAAAAAKZE/_mgVMca2hPQ/IMG_0312_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0312" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And another bloom.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NmqvzwSgqKM/UWbTNzKAWII/AAAAAAAAKZM/UF9GA_rqNjA/s1600-h/IMG_0313%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0313" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-od086FUmkGA/UWbTOekydZI/AAAAAAAAKZU/9mmS88uXzSg/IMG_0313_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0313" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A just-opening flower of 'Madame Lombard' reveals her carmine outer petals.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oDg91JpNQyg/UWbTQiXahsI/AAAAAAAAKZs/-lqKtaUk8qc/s1600-h/IMG_0317%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0317" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FYA9iCfzPkY/UWbTRdonmiI/AAAAAAAAKZ0/K_1qL7sq0xM/IMG_0317_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0317" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good shot, Sher! 'White Pet' and 'Lauren' in pots with their co-star, larkspur.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lElUjX2qTGY/UWbTSFNINJI/AAAAAAAAKZ8/OsFN5ISluHM/s1600-h/IMG_0319%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0319" border="0" height="473" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-I24LA3-oKy4/UWbTSicWkVI/AAAAAAAAKaE/70eCUoR_mSM/IMG_0319_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0319" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The diminutive perfection of 'Hermosa'</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PBivdfHyeHo/UWbTTrNjRWI/AAAAAAAAKaM/jixhY7cLziY/s1600-h/IMG_0320%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0320" border="0" height="617" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WGOBCI8_4yg/UWbTUE1QA1I/AAAAAAAAKaU/soJEJ4PWGgE/IMG_0320_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0320" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Climbing Pinkie' shows a single, lovely flower in advance of the abundant clusters that will follow.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MVeNr73RsOc/UWbTUza5tvI/AAAAAAAAKac/Ls8bIgliXKk/s1600-h/IMG_0303%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0303" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-N0ij_5s_b48/UWbTVfS4AqI/AAAAAAAAKak/6LGMLYvX1es/IMG_0303_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0303" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm convinced (even though I have not seen them all) that 'Duquesa', a Tea rose of fairly recent introduction, is the <b>most</b> leafy rose bush a Floridian can grow. She is bushy with a capitol B. And never any yellow leaves, I promise. Oh, wait... there's yellow leaf. But it has 14 million green ones!!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CeoCOm7VdgM/UWbTWL5MP8I/AAAAAAAAKas/SF2RmSSY_O4/s1600-h/IMG_0321%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0321" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fxCHNdSDa1A/UWbTWv159gI/AAAAAAAAKa0/BmzT2xKC5Q0/IMG_0321_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0321" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Duquesa' again.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rd6PoCyHjHk/UWbTX8jtPvI/AAAAAAAAKa8/hM3_t3tpOLk/s1600-h/IMG_0322%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0322" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-R4_eKB44P6c/UWbTYkeHSqI/AAAAAAAAKbE/GEBlRaSRwcM/IMG_0322_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0322" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What is spring without armadillos? They know where the earthworms are! Amending with manure compost makes my sandy soil black. Yummy, says the armadillo.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FMzrFFYr9FM/UWbTZjvMIsI/AAAAAAAAKbM/2E6_iJur4G8/s1600-h/IMG_0302%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0302" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JlUBgdDgM_A/UWbTaTpNZxI/AAAAAAAAKbU/wJVCp8D03qA/IMG_0302_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0302" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Clotilde Soupert' seems willing to share her bounty with the armadillos, preparing for her massive flush, despite their disruptive robbery.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Sy2GVKMKe1E/UWbTbFE_SnI/AAAAAAAAKbc/I7PZhsF7WnI/s1600-h/IMG_0323%25255B8%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0323" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-O4vBnHJ39ck/UWbTbncj0YI/AAAAAAAAKbk/oklyAJhrVJQ/IMG_0323_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0323" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thrips love Clotilde, but she seems to be opening bravely, thumbing her beautiful nose at their assault.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gJYHJrrfoTk/UWbTcsxeAOI/AAAAAAAAKbs/KKUiuYfkBeo/s1600-h/IMG_0324%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0324" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-n-ddHqH2Aus/UWbTdZffqfI/AAAAAAAAKb0/VTSBNgrNdpI/IMG_0324_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0324" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Rosette Delizy' is suddenly getting taller, beginning to throw those vertical canes that will make her six feet tall.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hRyBgtj6A9I/UWbTfgoPMHI/AAAAAAAAKb8/O8BboMPwaGA/s1600-h/IMG_0327%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0327" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zDytHzoBNQQ/UWbTgBaP8cI/AAAAAAAAKcE/p6sYbp7WVzs/IMG_0327_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0327" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The love of my life - 'Sherry Lane Carr' with 'Rosette Delizy' behind her</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nat9HIqc0nk/UWbThEACMxI/AAAAAAAAKcM/WGuBYykMjWM/s1600-h/IMG_0328%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0328" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5vjXLpDBGX8/UWbThuI_l_I/AAAAAAAAKcU/VY5RzYi-HWU/IMG_0328_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0328" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful 'Maggie'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xQl-hn1h8Bs/UWbTiToo1rI/AAAAAAAAKcc/iGfefKMW5qk/s1600-h/IMG_0330%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0330" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lmWKa8Fa6IA/UWbTixmXiVI/AAAAAAAAKck/12vh4ulymZw/IMG_0330_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0330" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Maggie' blooms in bunches!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7kZWJzxZXXA/UWbTjfDFSlI/AAAAAAAAKcs/hvEaLwKepgg/s1600-h/IMG_0331%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0331" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4uzkYbiaB4c/UWbTj6WW8PI/AAAAAAAAKc0/vGOASj5BlTg/IMG_0331_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0331" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This dime-sized punch of pink is rapidly becoming a favorite, a found rose with no positive identification simply called 'Cracker Rose Pink'.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tcy2AT2WpuA/UWbTlzGU8PI/AAAAAAAAKc8/5QK9nedf88k/s1600-h/IMG_0332%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0332" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hlGOgPgWfDU/UWbTmdcXKZI/AAAAAAAAKdE/tO_Jz0rnNiI/IMG_0332_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0332" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Cracker Rose Pink' blooms in bunches, too. Can't wait!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CP6NkpPOg10/UWbTnfTl-ZI/AAAAAAAAKdM/cDviLc-5VlU/s1600-h/IMG_0335%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0335" border="0" height="409" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ThpneqFxjZk/UWbToJvIn3I/AAAAAAAAKdU/HQgQcMwvelY/IMG_0335_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0335" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Souvenir de la Malmaison' will not be outdone by a little foundling!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-esFK8AyZ5MM/UWbTpBeBSOI/AAAAAAAAKdc/JCsAoojOX3g/s1600-h/IMG_0336%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0336" border="0" height="399" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SSbILFwLmU8/UWbTp8GkBsI/AAAAAAAAKdk/TT7v_glkzlA/IMG_0336_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0336" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby 'Darcey Bussell' is almost three feet across and two feet tall. I'm living in denial about how much room she will ultimately demand.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--S1dseZO0Rg/UWbTqv_MUYI/AAAAAAAAKds/g7vz3iXrdSY/s1600-h/IMG_0337%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0337" border="0" height="460" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AfVyMe-eK3Y/UWbTrUC9GMI/AAAAAAAAKd0/EA3OgUTndts/IMG_0337_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0337" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mums! I can't figure these guys out. I buy and plant them in the fall thinking they'll brighten the winter barrenness, and then they do nothing but look dead until spring. I yanked all but three. Sheesh!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZNVCxHTX9_k/UWbTsCj93xI/AAAAAAAAKd8/oAfvbh2Kia4/s1600-h/IMG_0338%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0338" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-edsfkKJFXtk/UWbTs1ps4vI/AAAAAAAAKeE/TJwhPVPdU-k/IMG_0338_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0338" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Stephen's Big Purple' has been living in dead shade all winter, hopefully setting down lots of roots because the top growth has been nil. This is another one that shrank from his original size, but he held on until the sun could swing up and over the trees to his side of the house, the west side, rose purgatory, but I'm believing the PR on this rose that he's healthy enough to take it. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8qJiesHBW68/UWbTtYJpe4I/AAAAAAAAKeM/4yh3VWKAk60/s1600-h/IMG_0341%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0341" border="0" height="471" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-b0gbSlRKIwA/UWbTtwiCZOI/AAAAAAAAKeU/tV2ANL56bFw/IMG_0341_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0341" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Naga Belle' about to make her debut</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-E0MKz4EzMrA/UWbTug9R8BI/AAAAAAAAKec/CASidZhxe3s/s1600-h/IMG_0344%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0344" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BFOYPKyvO1I/UWbTvINZ3iI/AAAAAAAAKek/objrNSJ0uF4/IMG_0344_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0344" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yay!! Louie is back! The handsome 'Louis Philippe' is THE bullet-proof rose for Florida yards. Are you clueless about roses and not blessed with a green thumb? Do you love the scent and taste of cherry candy? Then you need this rose as badly as I do.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--A8eJBAZ1hA/UWbTv1CY2bI/AAAAAAAAKes/rHfNH8S6TTE/s1600-h/IMG_0346%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0346" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8CyoyltgYnc/UWbTwS2q3XI/AAAAAAAAKe0/sPDOOuRdhJk/IMG_0346_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0346" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Richard's Rose'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Fo2QPKn_rQA/UWbTwwnJLeI/AAAAAAAAKe8/J1Cc1laNBws/s1600-h/IMG_0347%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0347" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AUsFwnMmh4s/UWbTxjYA6yI/AAAAAAAAKfE/IY69CU_Wq_8/IMG_0347_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0347" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Richard's Rose' again</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qTIjK46CmLc/UWbTy_ah6oI/AAAAAAAAKfM/E1waT8e0R8g/s1600-h/IMG_0348%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0348" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Js70pyw-wpo/UWbTzteATaI/AAAAAAAAKfU/x0KJrvSyp0w/IMG_0348_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0348" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Richard's Rose' has stood still, seemingly forgotten by time since being planted more than a year ago. Maybe he's making his move.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ra1w-cQjoaY/UWbT0WqjFEI/AAAAAAAAKfc/1b_r4eKAcQA/s1600-h/IMG_0349%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0349" border="0" height="497" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtYJ_JMvOspErqCEXAA5E23a2HsZIkA65Jqr3AoB8BirMtHGyNi9eVXjn3oyOSYP116Z1ZWdTbx7Xa63N-l1QW81eXCGNfAjUQr2eB5iC9uuhMgFJ6Y0xZtpibQ9HrTB2GVNa6taDSZ4Q/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0349" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Mrs B. R. Cant' is either traveling in disguise or fallen prey to thrips. She never looks like this.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ifOI_X7XvUE/UWbT2HZxKtI/AAAAAAAAKfs/MmFL2VWRg9g/s1600-h/IMG_0350%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0350" border="0" height="537" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uST0e4Q0ziQ/UWbT2ghWI8I/AAAAAAAAKf0/E5KxnTcwN0s/IMG_0350_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0350" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another of the late Dr. Bob Carr's gorgeous, Florida-friendly daylilies, 'Inherited Wealth'. Not too shabby for a first flower of the season.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YLy4oga5FFM/UWbT350m2cI/AAAAAAAAKf8/MIx0txF3jIM/s1600-h/IMG_0353%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0353" border="0" height="391" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-F7Yc6GxyB_A/UWbT4rgDD8I/AAAAAAAAKgE/J9fXnAbqakk/IMG_0353_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0353" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David Austin's 'Jude the Obscure', growing for the time being in his four square feet of space until I can find a larger spot for him since I found out he can get to ten feet tall and who knows how wide. What the heck is a gardener to do?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ufBLgUwlgrg/UWbT5dVwGUI/AAAAAAAAKgM/WmuZLgZ8qeQ/s1600-h/IMG_0354%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0354" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1f4Mz-Kf3I0/UWbT51u9_xI/AAAAAAAAKgU/z0umBev7DbI/IMG_0354_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0354" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jude's bloom is a bit underwhelming. Hope he surprises me.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NjtcP865g0c/UWbT6k0OocI/AAAAAAAAKgc/QL5ee7dXp7A/s1600-h/IMG_0358%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0358" border="0" height="495" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CGtiG2qDap0/UWbT7SEXxTI/AAAAAAAAKgk/htDEFMZM390/IMG_0358_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0358" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Talk about surprises, clematis 'Ville de Lyon' has been blooming since last month.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WKHmRnRwpVE/UWbT8DGVngI/AAAAAAAAKgs/RmvpXmfGx8c/s1600-h/IMG_0360%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0360" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jiapXX5Qpis/UWbT82UKj7I/AAAAAAAAKg0/AYfDa34VaiM/IMG_0360_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0360" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I just gave her some bird netting to climb on. Watch her go!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5T1AnGDm4Z8/UWbT9WErULI/AAAAAAAAKg8/dKs4diRWCIE/s1600-h/IMG_0365%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0365" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-joXa9dId0b4/UWbT97lP8fI/AAAAAAAAKhE/l_UmjbkuG0M/IMG_0365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0365" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New in the garden, daylily 'Beverly Raeburn'. I definitely like her, and she fits right in in the "yellow bed".</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-g827MEf6GL0/UWbT-xZR3gI/AAAAAAAAKhM/JI9voVJtNiY/s1600-h/IMG_0371%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0371" border="0" height="439" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JUIZ47uR6GE/UWbT_Y_v7AI/AAAAAAAAKhU/C8P0QbPoREs/IMG_0371_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0371" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't know why this bud of 'Gold Medal' decided to grow all bent over like this.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VasKU7IXZWk/UWbUAklP78I/AAAAAAAAKhc/MozDIYocJjo/s1600-h/IMG_0372%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0372" border="0" height="383" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vs4p4HBl2YM/UWbUBCgqmeI/AAAAAAAAKhk/aVwsWvbya-0/IMG_0372_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0372" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Next to the new addition, 'Gold Medal', is the Tea rose, 'Alexander Hill Gray', who didn't take kindly to being moved a mere two feet last November. I moved four roses last fall, and two reacted badly with a lot of cane dieback that continues still. A third was 'Borderer' who never skipped a beat, a truly no-fuss rose bush. Somewhere in between was the fourth, 'White Pet'. (Oh, yeah, then there were the two Drifts - I guess, I did a lot of moving last winter.) The three long canes of AHG have an explosion of growth and bloom at their ends but nothing in the middle of the canes. Another lesson that the garden is trying to teach me. And then there's the dozer tracks. Do I really have to learn to love armadillos?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xXrJ-qDMnGI/UWbUByrT6iI/AAAAAAAAKhs/RnWVec-42tQ/s1600-h/IMG_0376%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0376" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uRwERAHjSbQ/UWbUC1IRT3I/AAAAAAAAKh0/2WXVNQVBIZU/IMG_0376_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0376" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have only five yellow roses in my garden, and 'Alexander Hill Gray' would have been sorely missed had he not survived. And three peaches, Jude and the Coral Drifts.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uRyblUETVTg/UWbUD6zklbI/AAAAAAAAKh8/v3OCQGhZ0O8/s1600-h/IMG_0374%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0374" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1gV-p15iWFs/UWbUEQhMGQI/AAAAAAAAKiE/1pEO4KCtiwM/IMG_0374_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0374" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'General Gallieni' is the epitome of slow-to-mature Teas roses - at least in my garden. He is exactly five years in the ground and has been through so many versions of himself that I have lost count. Low, spreading and non-growing for three years, he was a real act of faith on the part of the gardener to stick it out. Needless to say, I'm glad I did. See that upside-down 5-gallon Lowe's bucket underneath the General? Last week there was an armadillo hole there, heading into GG's root zone, so I "capped" the hole. It worked last year. I've seen no evidence of a back door, and last evening there was quite a nasty smell of death in the back garden. I live in hope that that's what it was. Then, of course, I found another hole! This time I ran the hose into it and ran into the house to find out if the gun was loaded. DH was pointing to the den, saying I just needed to pump it up. I said NO, the <b>real</b> gun! I was going to blast him if he came out, gasping for air. DH didn't approve of that (noise, you know) and proceeded to pump up the pellet gun "ten times"! Again, I saw no evidence of an escape, and unless I keep running water into the hole, it's empty in about five minutes, so how long can an armadillo hold his breath? At 2 o'clock this morning DH asked me if I wanted to hunt armadillos. Had to decline due to exhaustion.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2LdSgRePiOP3TDOrBcNWJUDlxj8AxauOtaZG5JtNSx6_pk-gT_mDYL-2ovzALJJ385__r6lWp2DTdedtjdGEC4Z-pgn0Y4ly4UajNcst4ETzg47bkA9Nhl7A04KuQsgAeUoP5_5-pqnI/s1600-h/IMG_0380%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0380" border="0" height="431" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZ-giYJJFSMaVYyKIx1R8DEAhyphenhyphenklsaiy-RG6z8U3FunB8WWcO8_W7xty5I5bV0YNWnIx_Q_dd7HW6jBw6a6J4_RCwba9od403vTBVKV-uIZW5QIG3jgIFRe_KC2c9Lhgbiop2nB9T5UXp/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0380" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">General Gallieni's flowers are unique. One might even say abnormal or deformed. Sorry, General.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MiPnhBxXESk/UWbUGjKq2EI/AAAAAAAAKic/OPmTj0Y6TyU/s1600-h/IMG_0381%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0381" border="0" height="447" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibuRqafQL4IVDYzVOdrBxHLzxizr1e5_guTSNUxcYp7IJ211lSe27CxFwH5VsaW_Kv94hqutd_Qr-dSzddJ1QW0rMtbA__-pQYwqSeCalAaMTUe654KxuYI3qAiLTzf-q0CgkTqCDKTr4T/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0381" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">However, the flowers of 'General Gallieni' are also decidedly breathtaking.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JQnZ8OeL5hg/UWbUH1K1RYI/AAAAAAAAKis/fDngCZ6F9V4/s1600-h/IMG_0382%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0382" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-veMF5K-shS4/UWbUIYWte1I/AAAAAAAAKi0/Y5ApUUOjxi8/IMG_0382_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0382" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes 'General Gallieni' defied the camera, making what appeared to the human eye to be stained glass nothing more than a glare-y blob when photographed. In fact, this may well be the first good photo I have taken of him. Yesterday's flower surprised me when it submitted beautifully to the camera. Maturity does amazing things for a Tea rose.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UyH6jJxcivo/UWbUJWHgkxI/AAAAAAAAKi8/GjGJkhxKZ3k/s1600-h/IMG_0383%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0383" border="0" height="343" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3xhlqS6x3hE/UWbUKM6UVqI/AAAAAAAAKjE/vEo8paLpJM4/IMG_0383_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0383" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The yellow bed isn't entirely yellow. There's the still young and invisible, in-your-face-pink 'Vanity', destined to fill the area alongside the trellis and the about-to-bloom-baby, 'The Charlatan', just this side of the trellis, that will spread out along the fence, hopefully. Also, 'Moondance' is behind 'General Gallieni'. You can see clematis 'Venosa Violacea' inching up the arbor on the left, but you can't see 'Pat Austin' in the pot. Someday you will though!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUmVWLpbY4C4hS_HXWXl3MKVdWU7ecwfwlugnr0XwQQbqk4RXdWAMK6GHNTxHZCkHLbHncmQUEissilN6zQ07WoykfM_nHuRBxRr_l-VLRx0ENz5TNIusO2WUvbbf8RTpd_sUS8T1yhSbB/s1600/IMG_0391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUmVWLpbY4C4hS_HXWXl3MKVdWU7ecwfwlugnr0XwQQbqk4RXdWAMK6GHNTxHZCkHLbHncmQUEissilN6zQ07WoykfM_nHuRBxRr_l-VLRx0ENz5TNIusO2WUvbbf8RTpd_sUS8T1yhSbB/s640/IMG_0391.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Reve d'Or' is responding beautifully to her pruning. She's technically "in the yellow bed" as it continues along the side of the house. What a happy accident. Way over in the bottom left corner of this pic you can see the red blooms of 'General Gallieni'. It took me a while to figure that out.</td></tr>
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Happy gardening to everyone! And now you can run to the potty. Of course, by now you all should've learned... go first!</div>
sherryocalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06367991971551038582noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7928880599026491390.post-91083761501771716892013-03-21T22:59:00.000-07:002013-03-21T22:59:01.041-07:00A glorious day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The joy of spreading mulch today was almost overwhelming. It was a crystal clear, blue sky day after a good rain last night that gave us half an inch of the precious wet stuff. The temperature was amazingly pleasant and on the cool side at about 70F with a breeze. And I had the power of music in my pocket for soothing and invigorating this usually weary gardener in the tedious tasks that we all engage in. Before I started listening last Saturday to an old favorite album on my Android phone via earbuds, every forkful and each loaded wheelbarrow were a discouragement because I knew they weren’t the <i>last</i> one. But now I literally bounce on my way – to the beat. This particular album that I repeat non-stop is so joyful that when done today I sat on the front porch for a while longer, unwilling to go in and turn off the music.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uMN_B7kVV0s/UUvMWDv3NcI/AAAAAAAAKEk/3u43ESJHh6k/s1600-h/IMG_9774%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9774" border="0" height="604" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-b192ndxOx5U/UUvMW4yyKXI/AAAAAAAAKEs/tr7HOmSt9U8/IMG_9774_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9774" width="409" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Providentially, the album is entitled <i>A Beautiful Place </i>by Wayne Watson. Yes, it is.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-k-GNfSfYs-c/UUvMYArba2I/AAAAAAAAKE0/Bbf-SpNkSCs/s1600-h/IMG_9646%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9646" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-70Dsa-EK9Lc/UUvMY_tzBbI/AAAAAAAAKE8/7W-Pfofmubs/IMG_9646_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9646" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this pile of free wood chips is getting more beautiful by the day. I reached the summit today, almost six feet high, and now I'm on my way down. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3Vwrwo7LODQ/UUvMaPQCghI/AAAAAAAAKFE/1ojVPY0ePbs/s1600-h/IMG_9640%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9640" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qDXNBf5mIeY/UUvMbKR8-9I/AAAAAAAAKFM/rQFRR-nDYMI/IMG_9640_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9640" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the hard rain last night I felt sure that I've seen the last of the falling oak leaves, so I was excited to get the blower for my first task today.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrRkKwoILZ0YF5m34vQDBaRQBxGNdRZnMomynqNI7-rH29yIeQGdKOy64aLqprxk2dT2sQZxbyfH1NPP7vKET-zHMJFwHjvGUAKp0eu8z-Sk84CE6yWlS6EHBbT2k-_4PLmbOZfIoAvliD/s1600-h/IMG_9731%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9731" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GIoVjUats0o/UUvMdc__XkI/AAAAAAAAKFc/EE7E_G2BG9A/IMG_9731_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9731" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is this a thrilling sight? Or is it just me?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SvQMpj7XMA0/UUvMepalMwI/AAAAAAAAKFk/Fga3g8StW8s/s1600-h/IMG_9642%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9642" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bCcTz2470eM/UUvMfd4E91I/AAAAAAAAKFs/uBRaD5gjreI/IMG_9642_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9642" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaves are wonderful organic material, but they belong in the beds not on the gravel. Messy, messy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9oQ_J_LB9KI/UUvMgw0ia5I/AAAAAAAAKF0/ihYcPAKW9DY/s1600-h/IMG_9730%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9730" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mLEh7S-sZs0/UUvMhhjdiZI/AAAAAAAAKF8/lyn03gR_9pc/IMG_9730_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9730" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So pretty. And look where the shadow is... at the edge of the patio. The sun is moving north, so the shadow is moving south. Yay!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aWq_2-wT7nk/UUvMjHSTfoI/AAAAAAAAKGE/1zOEa8TK6xQ/s1600-h/IMG_9643%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9643" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Wst9z7-C4rM/UUvMjwVPe3I/AAAAAAAAKGM/J1UbDgmD18I/IMG_9643_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9643" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've been taking photos steadily since my last blog post - with the messy leaves. Hardly worthy of publication.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fLThDoV2cd0/UUvMlMMT64I/AAAAAAAAKGU/UCduKvp2Ukc/s1600-h/IMG_9729%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9729" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1f1DaQGcLEY/UUvMl0LOuhI/AAAAAAAAKGc/cAy9K2ao6Xg/IMG_9729_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9729" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This pic shows that a lady gardener <i>can</i> have a tidy garden at the same time as she has clean bathrooms and folded laundry. Like I said...powerful music.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GZzz9UiZ82Q/UUvMnXrOAOI/AAAAAAAAKGk/VvpfCtpBrtE/s1600-h/IMG_9733%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9733" border="0" height="436" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6pMopQb82CU/UUvMoOUx1DI/AAAAAAAAKGs/ZCJUlIeftjA/IMG_9733_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9733" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wish you had been with me today to share the beauty.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dy8lK1pXs-8/UUvMptlnhSI/AAAAAAAAKG0/QEG4q7Shw0E/s1600-h/IMG_9734%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9734" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RmqGTRxHQRI/UUvMqXp9yZI/AAAAAAAAKG8/cF7fdZMWhXQ/IMG_9734_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9734" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everything looks so much better. Or is it just me?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TDu80Msc-tU/UUvMr8l5NCI/AAAAAAAAKHE/aMSC2q1gQ0c/s1600-h/IMG_9735%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9735" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lgq9sWCaBKk/UUvMsoVpwwI/AAAAAAAAKHM/gu1ZU0AjD1Y/IMG_9735_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9735" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My spirit was soaring today!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PA-WhbVONu8vTej7xNwHz76rmOPkjqYSS5ZKV6UjOLLWqVORhnZnJtlRzutRagHMt6a1Q8uaN_UuimG3-1UwkhDR603lngGwz4ucuqjEAMVqtEBY0RsroVObROJvAIYZePZegQsKQ7ov/s1600-h/IMG_9647%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9647" border="0" height="359" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gPkxZkWP1us/UUvMuS3In0I/AAAAAAAAKHc/O9Ese36rWXo/IMG_9647_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9647" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If I could include every new detail in the garden, you would not be able to get <i>your</i> chores done! This is one of my new acquisitions, <a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.3237">'Heirloom'</a>, a bareroot, grafted Hybrid Tea rose bought at Aldi for $4.99. She's beautiful already.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qRj3ikyo3qk/UUvMvfaX7wI/AAAAAAAAKHk/xwiheMtl0EQ/s1600-h/IMG_9650%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9650" border="0" height="380" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dmac0ohU2cA/UUvMwMrPkuI/AAAAAAAAKHs/f5i6X0gnhas/IMG_9650_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9650" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Basal breaks are appearing throughout the garden. I'm so excited about this one on <a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.4302">'Mrs. B. R. Cant'</a>. She hasn't had one in a couple of years. The sticks are my anti-squirrel defense which I need to make higher tomorrow.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FuOzsbqQwZs/UUvMxX0KhBI/AAAAAAAAKH0/xaFrOsjJOhA/s1600-h/IMG_9653%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9653" border="0" height="401" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-f8XgwluV66A/UUvMyc29mRI/AAAAAAAAKH8/T7MLKWKw5l4/IMG_9653_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9653" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's Mrs BR in her entirety after I severely pruned her in mid-February. That cane on the left may not be viable. I'm waiting to see. She's on Fortuniana rootstock which I don't like but which is probably keeping her alive and able to compete with the tree roots that surround her. Oak is strong but Fortuniana is stronger!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-R9lxFHMwRks/UUvMzf2DTBI/AAAAAAAAKIE/5hlwOeMQwfk/s1600-h/IMG_9655%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9655" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DTiOGZ1OeBA/UUvM0JblrhI/AAAAAAAAKIM/yqsMDVT8avg/IMG_9655_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9655" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.4903">'Polonaise'</a> is an especially beautiful plant in spring.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jc2S6-2tGA8/UUvM1QYyysI/AAAAAAAAKIU/5fAHpKbYjv0/s1600-h/IMG_9657%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9657" border="0" height="604" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Kwh233Csxuo/UUvM2EqfNBI/AAAAAAAAKIc/P7HwTN8B8tw/IMG_9657_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9657" width="469" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't think I get thrilled <i>that </i>easy, but today was a thrilling day. A basal break on '<a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.4082">Maman Cochet'</a> made my day. The squirrel defense isn't pretty, but it sure is wonderful.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9d0iUu-G-3o/UUvM3MltL2I/AAAAAAAAKIk/UOgfCU-Q16o/s1600-h/IMG_9660%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9660" border="0" height="732" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TR_7TPLgjT8/UUvM4CoQtZI/AAAAAAAAKIs/mQrd1PSim2Q/IMG_9660_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9660" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is <a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/gardening/l.php?l=2.40899">'Naga Belle'</a>, new to the garden last November, with <i>two </i>basal breaks! I'm thinkin' the Epsom salts have definitely kicked in.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QoAbDjMm_NY/UUvM5U0g-6I/AAAAAAAAKI0/xclcX_4QdeA/s1600-h/IMG_9661%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9661" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-91Dk1eDolLs/UUvM6MxlPxI/AAAAAAAAKI8/xQN4pz7XQLw/IMG_9661_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9661" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You know that I love my roses, but I also love my daylilies, and last year they did not have a good year. The gardener dropped the ball and let them down, but this winter she has fertilized them meticulously and in general loved on them a whole lot. They're looking really good. The early ones have flower scapes already. Guess what...I'm thrilled again.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Y1_k1XKTYTQ/UUvM7qA-2YI/AAAAAAAAKJE/VJ8meWpvZVo/s1600-h/IMG_9663%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9663" border="0" height="508" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0m0levJyFec/UUvM8jOe2kI/AAAAAAAAKJM/JDDIegXR7L4/IMG_9663_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9663" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/gardening/l.php?l=2.815">'Bow Belles'</a> got cut in half by my pruning in February. Fingers crossed, I was hoping she wouldn't mind, and judging by the vast amount of new growth all up and down her canes she didn't mind at all. This year she's got more sun, so my hopes are high.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QpbV40XLcPY/UUvM99hvMLI/AAAAAAAAKJU/aVWOblKFmAE/s1600-h/IMG_9665%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9665" border="0" height="361" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0ESEU5yXQs4/UUvM-4UAyLI/AAAAAAAAKJc/EsLMBTVKWPs/IMG_9665_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9665" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Both of my <a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.1230">'Clotilde Soupert'</a> bushes are greening up nicely. Again, the finished pruning wound up reducing her by at least half, not deliberately. That's just how it worked out, trying to keep her from looking like a mutilated Crape Myrtle. The red spots are on a 'Red Ruffles' azalea behind the rose.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0uUYwjbM1B0/UUvNALKCrWI/AAAAAAAAKJk/TirXPP-ywVQ/s1600-h/IMG_9667%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9667" border="0" height="718" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RJxrrWyzzVA/UUvNBIclMKI/AAAAAAAAKJs/ZN2NDRE6ynU/IMG_9667_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9667" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another new addition to the front garden, <a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/gardening/l.php?l=2.41083">'Darcey Bussell'</a>, a David Austin rose. Reputed to be an excellent bloomer and healthy in our hot summer. He's definitely been a vigorous baby since February. This is only half of him. I really loaded the new roses with bananas - sometimes whole ones and sometimes just several peels.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hOeg0ZGEB5o/UUvNB9zihNI/AAAAAAAAKJ0/9LmTvZAMC7M/s1600-h/IMG_9671%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9671" border="0" height="375" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3bKjh3qTBt4/UUvNCuCn-NI/AAAAAAAAKJ8/PXJBZbt83Mk/IMG_9671_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9671" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.2435.2">'Souvenir de la Malmaison'</a> has just a few flower buds, but she's dropped most of her old, yellow leaves, so she's on her way.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6P_Us-vG8c0/UUvNDqMBnKI/AAAAAAAAKKE/KoBjJuGJVA0/s1600-h/IMG_9674%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9674" border="0" height="351" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JaMDp5_LE6g/UUvNEoRfeeI/AAAAAAAAKKM/xjRBHo23ulg/IMG_9674_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9674" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.5493">'Rosette Delizy'</a> is growing like many baby Teas, low and wide, but she's bushier than she was the first time I grew her...and perfectly healthy. She's about four months in the ground.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WFVu9ehb5DI/UUvNF0iriWI/AAAAAAAAKKU/8kag_YhLILc/s1600-h/IMG_9676%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9676" border="0" height="385" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dQagnRlvS0I/UUvNGnXm7jI/AAAAAAAAKKc/YMohAr69B0c/IMG_9676_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9676" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This shot is pre-blower, but it shows (left to right) <a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/gardening/l.php?l=2.4016">'Mme Lombard'</a> in the rear, two 'Souv de la Malmaison' bushes, 'Darcey Bussell' in back next to and behind the larkspur, and <a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/gardening/l.php?l=2.1403">'Curly Pink'</a>, the ever-shrinking one, in front of the larkspur. I think Curly has settled in finally. I was about to put her in a pot to prevent her soon demise. And <a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.20164.1">'Anda'</a> in the pot on the right.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qQCGDO-3k2w/UUvNH36cB6I/AAAAAAAAKKk/z_zI65R25h0/s1600-h/IMG_9678%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9678" border="0" height="412" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZlX4YRfJjM8/UUvNIvKn95I/AAAAAAAAKKs/KxyVeW3mwSA/IMG_9678_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9678" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's very emotional for me to see <a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.3775">'Le Vesuve'</a> adding to herself instead of subtracting. New canes down low are marvelous to see. Old yellow leaves drop and are not disease. Typical of Teas and Chinas, she's very healthy except for her recent dieback problems, and maybe they're gone. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bF0B2TsSvpM/UUvNJrEkUTI/AAAAAAAAKK0/m9zjoTLxIY4/s1600-h/IMG_9679%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9679" border="0" height="417" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-l-6omvwoep8/UUvNKXC75II/AAAAAAAAKK8/OndTaIYnX2I/IMG_9679_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9679" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another thrill!! New growth on old wood on 'Le Vesuve', pointing toward the half of her that is gone.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uB5afeiVpyI/UUvNLnmAXPI/AAAAAAAAKLE/3KPZyBRvGDg/s1600-h/IMG_9687%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9687" border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswUnhS7I7jaDxfNz50qVYSmw1Lf0R9ZfLkWzCb5S5vlo_LqPyFwub9dL5Igx0NjAmZI-wgonNyjsXuCEKOU-YBRHd1FNGWdwTFMqrOBWN3dN_nCNPU46MY7oHMkyOhNxOw62atVM0aSGx/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9687" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.4052.1">'Maggie'</a>, planted a year ago last month, is loaded with lots of new basal growth in her middle. She only had a half dozen or so canes before this, going in all directions and about three and a half feet long. There's even a flower bud in there. As I was mulching around her today, I was moaning a bit to myself about all the baby roses that are in my garden, wondering why I can't manage to have more full-grown roses. In a split second Someone reminded me of my initial mission for this blog... to help new rose gardeners in Florida, so what better way is there to show them what growing babies are like? And I said, "Oh. You're right. Thank you." Do you think that means I have His blessing? For the first time I believe I do.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-d8QNGujfdi8/UUvNNoqs1MI/AAAAAAAAKLU/450xHEEGJN4/s1600-h/IMG_9688%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9688" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hLGZf8Whts8/UUvNORPiVqI/AAAAAAAAKLc/iNel-AAhalk/IMG_9688_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9688" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Sherry Lane Carr' showing her early stuff. She'll still be blooming in July. Such a wonderful daylily, if I do say so myself... since we share the same name. Just switch the L for a J.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xG-Y0f8aXws/UUvNPeegcRI/AAAAAAAAKLk/5gVIfglVva8/s1600-h/IMG_9699%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9699" border="0" height="359" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BrCUdRJU0mo/UUvNQDcOyKI/AAAAAAAAKLs/bPCPg_nehz8/IMG_9699_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9699" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.4083">'Maman Cochet, Climbing'</a> is slower responding to her pruning, but then the silly gardener <i>forgot</i> her when putting out the sludge <i>and </i>again when spreading the composted horse manure. I have a bag of Black Kow for her and plenty of sludge. She's next on my to-do list.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-B-YaC8Oifog/UUvNQ6eb3jI/AAAAAAAAKL0/1BQqfpogyaI/s1600-h/IMG_9700%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9700" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5buQ_F1jNlo/UUvNRvcRWWI/AAAAAAAAKL8/74zg_uzYkxY/IMG_9700_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9700" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here she is again up against the blue sky.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oM6cRiaUnt4/UUvNSY_R4jI/AAAAAAAAKME/58axfm_5nSE/s1600-h/IMG_9706%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9706" border="0" height="444" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tPlj9m5uluU/UUvNS_rnzFI/AAAAAAAAKMM/DTRw4paL_4I/IMG_9706_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9706" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bits of new growth are popping out more and more. These are less than an inch long.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-It8ohKM6Dsk/UUvNUKzuduI/AAAAAAAAKMU/MeFah-jfHk8/s1600-h/IMG_9707%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9707" border="0" height="484" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CQaeiYmrlQk/UUvNUhxHnmI/AAAAAAAAKMc/cPfUFBjBXgM/IMG_9707_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9707" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's a 1x2 she's trying to get past. What a pretty thing. Pray that the squirrels don't see it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3P7bKw4sCXE/UUvNVq_9IaI/AAAAAAAAKMk/S23i5CwHBWQ/s1600-h/IMG_9708%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9708" border="0" height="476" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-e_BFRPIlBeE/UUvNWAnrLkI/AAAAAAAAKMs/xhbkod59z2w/IMG_9708_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9708" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is that a triple? I'm getting thrilled again.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-suyugfMbMCY/UUvNXctYg9I/AAAAAAAAKM0/Mi9xItqw37g/s1600-h/IMG_9638%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9638" border="0" height="479" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pIJeUNAw6Tg/UUvNYBBRwNI/AAAAAAAAKM8/tmf7YHsd0EQ/IMG_9638_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9638" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.5197">'Reve d'Or'</a> on the other hand jumped right on it and is goin' to town!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HrWfQ0uvgDE/UUvNZKGP2iI/AAAAAAAAKNE/GxSvUyX5cMA/s1600-h/IMG_9714%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9714" border="0" height="567" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pRNKfQXS8PQ/UUvNaL4W1SI/AAAAAAAAKNM/tMUXSeWRNOE/IMG_9714_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9714" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even has a basal break! Gotta get more sticks!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6X0A7j1yzQk/UUvNa6xLobI/AAAAAAAAKNU/pkuT5CiJUOs/s1600-h/IMG_9716%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9716" border="0" height="449" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-u9Mj3EzogyE/UUvNbZkrlEI/AAAAAAAAKNc/cNCR0xIzB2o/IMG_9716_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9716" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of red new growth on 'Reve d'Or'. DH asked me today if she's going to get big again. I said, "Uh-yeah."</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-e5pYB-bgUFA/UUvNcvEiECI/AAAAAAAAKNk/MbqsAcNu06I/s1600-h/IMG_9717%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9717" border="0" height="471" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TfAsHfzYkLw/UUvNdrOVbaI/AAAAAAAAKNs/aWYcgyfPU2w/IMG_9717_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9717" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It probably seems odd to you that I'm spreading mulch while I still have plants to plant, namely clematis. What can I say? I only have one more day to be finished with the mulch and I was on a roll, didn't want to be flittin' all over the place without finishing the last job, figured I'd just push the mulch aside, try not to make a mess with the dirt, and be done with it. Since becoming a gardener, I've learned that I can only do so many things at one time, and even that many isn't enough because there's always something else that needs to be done right now when you're the only gardener on the place. Such is life.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GDAX6orp54g/UUvNenGOxdI/AAAAAAAAKN0/aYrrsa1nPNA/s1600-h/IMG_9718%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9718" border="0" height="457" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RizRCxhEC4M/UUvNfVXJYnI/AAAAAAAAKN8/l5t7fFxV7qU/IMG_9718_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9718" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cutting. It's still green since mid-February. I think that bodes well for it. Another thrill... it's <a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.3964">'Madame Abel Chatenay'</a>!!!!!!!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36_-KIEcJOhiLHWx1aRNix_c1CUoUxCaugEi9GyMP-nLWgY3PUTi1nwQSHpgxDFQxnNBBuQp217lSze0WvlMxPcLxJCpUY1-XPSJrs8qIEPoVHsrGbjirQXEu8td4iNL5uALweZcLQo3G/s1600-h/IMG_9759%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9759" border="0" height="544" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XhQXzSRDQC8/UUvNhOoZD0I/AAAAAAAAKOM/YNvJ1a7QRCM/IMG_9759_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9759" width="409" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clematis 'Maria Cornelia' got her own obelisk after 'Red Cascade' left the garden over the winter. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOfUtNaBfN42j5VuT6h8u-39zJuXDfHLQ3_TQrTB3wojZUphZxqNK8vYDOwyJ4aFpniy-b3b8QblCYIezAfIaThkvRp78lRTndaBx2I11qqkHpBlhyphenhyphenuEeq_-CZw1sL5TfLkYwEHmAtK3v/s1600-h/IMG_9761%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9761" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wzPg_1VQmfE/UUvNjifvF9I/AAAAAAAAKOc/dNGhQoJ5Vro/IMG_9761_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9761" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another baby Tea, <a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/gardening/l.php?l=2.5205">'Rhodologue Jules Gravereaux'</a>. I'm excited about him, too.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hC_8uqpIAU0/UUvNlB13bUI/AAAAAAAAKOk/UIlY2WyHCIA/s1600-h/IMG_9764%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9764" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_K7cP87EicY/UUvNmAEKbWI/AAAAAAAAKOs/oXm13pAAtDI/IMG_9764_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9764" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is compost not mulch yet. Left to right in the ground, 'Clotilde Soupert', Rhodologue behind the pot, three <a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.1890">'Hermosa' </a>bushes, beyond them is <a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.39409">'Duquesa'</a>, and leaning to the right a grafted <a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.1175">'Chrysler Imperial'</a>. Get this, I pruned the Hermosas with hedge clippers! And they didn't mind a bit.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Bv5ByX_Znc0/UUvNnJkn2LI/AAAAAAAAKO0/uIVoiTApAqA/s1600-h/IMG_9775%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9775" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3TIxPd489HM/UUvNn5b8kLI/AAAAAAAAKO8/7rwAxlNTzmM/IMG_9775_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9775" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you find the flower, the <i>only</i> flower in the garden? As I said, I was sitting on the front porch, and what did I see?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bEWKg9Lo7To/UUvNo_gsuMI/AAAAAAAAKPE/YKmNXwI-9Ys/s1600-h/IMG_9779%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9779" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cA7CZKwXZcg/UUvNpU2RnQI/AAAAAAAAKPM/e6kNlpPul4Q/IMG_9779_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9779" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This garden is just a thrill a minute, don't ya think? <a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.1231">'Clotilde Soupert, Climbing'</a>. What could be nicer?</td></tr>
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<br />
The garden was a <i><span style="color: blue;">beautiful</span></i> place today. And I'm so glad I was in it.<br />
</div>
sherryocalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06367991971551038582noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7928880599026491390.post-14584358022110572282013-03-07T23:18:00.000-08:002013-03-07T23:18:22.485-08:00Climbers & compost & pots<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I can happily report that things in the garden are improving and that after two freezing nights things are even better than expected. Lots of items have been crossed off my list of things to do this spring. All in all, I’m getting very excited about the coming gardening year. Of course, who knows what plague or pestilence lies ahead, but it’s been a delightful and easy winter.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dfZXHGpeT-I/UTlrDjLCWTI/AAAAAAAAJ7k/Wg-fMSFNI98/s1600-h/IMG_9437%25255B6%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9437" border="0" height="724" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zlntwhbOe_U/UTlrEXNl1LI/AAAAAAAAJ7s/tVQNf0lnshY/IMG_9437_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9437" width="544" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am not a list person. I prefer chaos while marching to that idiot drummer in my head, but last January I was so scatter-brained and overwhelmed as to what exactly needed doing that I took DH's advice and made a list. My goodness, I felt so much better afterwards, and it was a simple thing to simply do what was on the list. No stressing whatsoever.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--hn9Gfv0Ffo/UTlrFeINz8I/AAAAAAAAJ70/7XE32KS6Syw/s1600-h/IMG_9242%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9242" border="0" height="696" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pWroTC_akJ0/UTlrG5qUVKI/AAAAAAAAJ78/80IJ4QA2Kgs/IMG_9242_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9242" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After doing 'Maman Cochet, Climbing' last week I felt braver about tackling my other climbers. This is 'Duchesse d'Auerstadt'. She's almost as old as MC, but as you can see, she's an entirely different animal. However, she was still (and always has been) a mess.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Uge6R5jwqso/UTlrHwSoSHI/AAAAAAAAJ8E/ilUMb5n6NCA/s1600-h/IMG_9256%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9256" border="0" height="776" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tQMiA4IGbE0/UTlrJXhpD-I/AAAAAAAAJ8M/mB8DbOkGkEI/IMG_9256_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9256" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The clippings removed from her just filled a bushel basket, but getting rid of the deadwood enabled me to get her centered and tied on the rebar.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sJAABbLqDxs/UTlrKeQS-lI/AAAAAAAAJ8U/bdAuw7XeEJ4/s1600-h/IMG_9246%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9246" border="0" height="764" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rXqkw829WtU/UTlrLQ1zbsI/AAAAAAAAJ8c/c_FPyC98xpA/IMG_9246_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9246" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She has lots of red new growth which made me very happy. Maybe this year - her fifth - will be when she leaps.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WcR1BmmAAEI/UTlrM-0MFUI/AAAAAAAAJ8k/BMITYd6VBls/s1600-h/IMG_9251%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9251" border="0" height="699" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7REzAykxH4o/UTlrOGWtbXI/AAAAAAAAJ8s/HqSvhXrn0C4/IMG_9251_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9251" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She's always been a bit "airy" so I have clematis 'Venosa Violacea' growing on both sides of the arbor. They're invisible now after being pruned back. The rectangular pot (which used to house 'Serratipetala') is now home to Purple Coneflowers that sprouted in the gravel of the front circle. This is the only spot I had left, so I hope they like semi-shade.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iqmPKMwFivU/UTlrPNrpnKI/AAAAAAAAJ80/_kQf6R78MMk/s1600-h/IMG_9252%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9252" border="0" height="596" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-akpLP6zW_os/UTlrQAFWWII/AAAAAAAAJ88/MxsCRqC060M/IMG_9252_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9252" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For two years 'Pat Austin' has been a drooper, but this year she's holding her canes upright. Now that's definitely progress!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FW8Eq4KLPhc/UTlrRiBmNOI/AAAAAAAAJ9E/t3SZ6YxaG7s/s1600-h/IMG_9379%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9379" border="0" height="359" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3liO_4pcXgw/UTlrSu2froI/AAAAAAAAJ9M/UhP9Kuv5bxQ/IMG_9379_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9379" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Composted horse manure. Isn't it lovely? Perhaps I should be totally honest and say semi-composted, because that's what it is - not really done, but whatever. I love the way it makes the garden look - like a beautifully made bed.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uchoD7QMmnQ/UTlrWDsA2RI/AAAAAAAAJ9k/2-IkenBaaZc/s1600-h/IMG_9273%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9273" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uAZVr0wmp4E/UTlrXL0vimI/AAAAAAAAJ9s/vxci5nYW1qQ/IMG_9273_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9273" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most daylilies have been clipped back due to the recent freezes. The larkspur volunteers are looking like mini-evergreen forests, and the garden looks half empty - for now.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aTWIiChRlPo/UTlrYxuafKI/AAAAAAAAJ90/YqT2nuCvI5I/s1600-h/IMG_9276%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9276" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8t7u_yiGV5o/UTlrZjDUmVI/AAAAAAAAJ98/UCnpC__W-o8/IMG_9276_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9276" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It only looks like there's a lot of empty space, and I've learned not to fill it, because roses like 'Rosette Delizy' get bigger and daylilies get bigger and salvias get bigger. The trick will be squeezing in the potted Purple Coneflowers.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_GXlvNYwj8U/UTlra_5VwFI/AAAAAAAAJ-E/HYICoL4nckA/s1600-h/IMG_9280%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9280" border="0" height="665" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-x9IizlPjTzw/UTlrb4ZE9NI/AAAAAAAAJ-M/EV5uoDPMILc/IMG_9280_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9280" width="604" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Christmas Amazon gift certificate from #1 son and DIL got me this perfect 7.5' obelisk that clematis 'Princess Diana' badly needed. She outgrew her old 4-footer.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eOzj5P_6buQ/UTlrdIDbXqI/AAAAAAAAJ-U/b0ggQzy-OL0/s1600-h/IMG_9243%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9243" border="0" height="551" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rc1x7ypALnU/UTlreTa8QmI/AAAAAAAAJ-c/IU0LkZCL2vU/IMG_9243_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9243" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So after Sunday's success with the Duchesse on Tuesday I decided to tackle 'Reve d'Or'.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tlk9NUxzueA/UTlrfvlAMzI/AAAAAAAAJ-k/57ovxUBz9IQ/s1600-h/IMG_9301%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9301" border="0" height="385" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SvyQEAPfWbM/UTlrgZZnfQI/AAAAAAAAJ-s/VzRlitcnyDQ/IMG_9301_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9301" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I really hated bothering her, but she makes passage through the sideyard rather dicey which makes me chop on her. So I determined to deal with her properly.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HqrOtcewYow/UTlrh1K46iI/AAAAAAAAJ-0/Xhanf6Yk9KY/s1600-h/IMG_9308%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9308" border="0" height="473" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-i5VQxtD0H7g/UTlrjQN5ntI/AAAAAAAAJ-8/m5DKJoM1ty4/IMG_9308_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9308" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You may not be able to see it, but she takes up just as much space in the neighbor's yard. Thankfully, he doesn't live there. DH fixed the fence that had sprung apart.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ISCL41-iELI/UTlrk74-3-I/AAAAAAAAJ_E/hwTzeliVDcs/s1600-h/IMG_9311%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9311" border="0" height="415" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9Uaj-AVo0Eo/UTlrlnPGPmI/AAAAAAAAJ_M/4qxvq2Mi3zk/IMG_9311_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9311" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know I've said this before, but I had no clue where to start cutting. I felt like a rookie dentist having to pull his first tooth - without novacaine... for the patient.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eh8jhN_HXqs/UTlrnOuaUtI/AAAAAAAAJ_U/x--yxkxJnf8/s1600-h/IMG_9313%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9313" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rfWaVSxYUvM/UTlroP2bkkI/AAAAAAAAJ_c/e_g7_TIPoz4/IMG_9313_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9313" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Her canes were everywhere and went everywhere. Side shoots had side shoots, and main canes had been previously shortened as per aforementioned chopping. I went back and forth many times trying to decide the best cuts to make.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aSZHI9LeRDI/UTlrpEH40PI/AAAAAAAAJ_k/gnKDbXkTr7U/s1600-h/IMG_9315%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9315" border="0" height="904" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tvNjbAT8rjk/UTlrqYEXTiI/AAAAAAAAJ_s/ghX2exgrt2M/IMG_9315_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9315" width="604" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had never used a ladder on her before which was dumb. The ladder makes the job possible.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1zHfFjIzX_s/UTlrsE5irnI/AAAAAAAAJ_0/MqbsNsYaO50/s1600-h/IMG_9319%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9319" border="0" height="455" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GfJ4r125IO4/UTlrs2xWZ-I/AAAAAAAAJ_8/jUA0rdUtBWI/IMG_9319_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9319" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It also gets you right smack in the middle of those not-as-lethal-as-Maman-Cochet's thorns. However, ladder-work is much more painful than it looks. When it's done, probably because I lock my knees, stepping down must be done v-e-r-y slowly and carefully until I'm sure those knees are going to hold. And then it feels like someone beat me with a rubber hose.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pq6qcytQY0Y/UTlruAw7-0I/AAAAAAAAKAE/IJtstexgdH0/s1600-h/IMG_9322%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9322" border="0" height="425" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fW2kpVGZUVw/UTlrvPV5v3I/AAAAAAAAKAM/k1GYsDUB66M/IMG_9322_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9322" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And here is the result. I know... another scalping job. I can handle a naked bush after pruning, but I'm not used to the naked climbers yet. And I surely do hope this is what they're supposed to look like!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BtC6ojCBATY/UTlrwGXvNzI/AAAAAAAAKAU/bqwHUMiXEbQ/s1600-h/IMG_9324%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9324" border="0" height="428" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uGKO2m7-JXc/UTlrw_yrCRI/AAAAAAAAKAc/C1cwtqHaLFc/IMG_9324_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9324" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally I get to utilize the three strands of plastic-coated clothesline that I installed five years ago. When she was young, there was nothing to tie to the lines, and when she bulked up, she was too heavy to pull/push into place. The bird-netting is squirrel deterrent.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Y-lQ63ebSAk/UTlryH9A_JI/AAAAAAAAKAk/7TeQJ-xVTqM/s1600-h/IMG_9326%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9326" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_1Ory2ByOdY/UTlry7aphOI/AAAAAAAAKAs/uJ-c9rqO3Uo/IMG_9326_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9326" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But now her naked canes, devoid of long side shoots, were easy to put in their proper places.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLH5du4VyhgDFeWqXxGG7kbbIWNoyAAKi2UxwTyKo8m1JPZ8tnEvCgI13DO-Bm8JToNEVMlDqtCVMnnFY4dU1AIyUNBw1q6aUUjmJTSVCI1njKoGSB7LYhl8dBTVQKUzFwxE731WhsyNk/s1600-h/IMG_9329%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9329" border="0" height="417" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hW_zbjcYhoU/UTlr1J3h3-I/AAAAAAAAKA8/i8KJGOvkhKQ/IMG_9329_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9329" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She, too, has lots of new growth popping out everywhere.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-csDJqqy4AgE/UTlr2WzLRqI/AAAAAAAAKBE/BxthlqhxEXs/s1600-h/IMG_9331%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9331" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-t6uvnjVGjRU/UTlr3PljAsI/AAAAAAAAKBM/EBX1J_pSvH0/IMG_9331_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9331" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Her width is about 16 feet, and her height is pushing 8 feet. You can barely see my rebar contraption to which I tied the clothesline. I attached to the fence 1x2's that I had drilled and inserted 10-foot rebar into which holds the rose away from the fence. In Florida it's easy to push the rebar two feet into the ground, especially amended ground.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-f76-l4954WU/UTlr4HdSxTI/AAAAAAAAKBU/d-0ntiFKqag/s1600-h/IMG_9335%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9335" border="0" height="289" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-P_BTUcMJzZA/UTlr4xuavmI/AAAAAAAAKBc/rleAl9183t8/IMG_9335_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9335" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing hangs over the fence now. I wonder how long it will take her to become a trespasser again.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hBjPTZGmCPo/UTlr6P8e6wI/AAAAAAAAKBk/ci1CrkVWPSk/s1600-h/IMG_9337%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9337" border="0" height="476" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IKSXQ4pqaCg/UTlr632Ny1I/AAAAAAAAKBs/aF2DNbHRnkM/IMG_9337_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9337" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was hoping to be done while the sun was still on this side of the house to show you that her base will have sun on it now - for a while anyway - and hopefully, it will encourage basal breaks. This is an amazing sight to me. I just hope I can keep her in check.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IRdXuCMHcxI/UTlr71lAinI/AAAAAAAAKB0/qzSFyrJGubE/s1600-h/IMG_9340%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9340" border="0" height="915" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5jF6j7Jyoo0/UTlr9DS0LpI/AAAAAAAAKB8/sgwTTWyxGJg/IMG_9340_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9340" width="604" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is 'Nur Mahal'. She got a new teepee recently because her old metal trellis rusted and fell over with her in it. She was a good ten feet tall, so I pruned her back by two-thirds to get her out of the trellis and make her bushier. DH was positive that I had killed his favorite rose. I assured him she would live, and today I was proud to tell him about all the new growth that she has sprouted. The knitted trellis is for the clematis that is growing with her (on the right side). Clematis leaves hide bare rose legs. I'm not sure if I'll wrap her new canes around the teepee or what. I tried that once before with 'Prosperity' and wound up basically with a huge bush. Don't have room for that, so we'll see.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KzG4_oh4HPw/UTlr-vy1mGI/AAAAAAAAKCE/qDUEPA8RnKI/s1600-h/IMG_9347%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9347" border="0" height="431" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignhDqrtVEBLAeTyUGSclzGXdiPzwTq8jTQqCRRcNdEjaJF7-GcqqH1AjKJBXc5p_3W0oX2xytqyrqt3qFx8mI0Y-B9YGSqSahu4KCGlx2zpZln11XD13jSpnDeExQo2d9GUqzhuZw7ucr/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9347" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Take THAT, you dastardly squirrels!! 'Duchesse d'Auerstadt' has precious new growth at the base which had to be protected from the chewers, so I made a cage to keep them out. I think when the canes outgrow the cage I'll wrap burlap around her that I bought last year for this purpose. I'm resigned to the fact that a garden can't look chic while squirrels are around.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gQqqgyCu2MU/UTlsBEnbw6I/AAAAAAAAKCU/KjDTid8tnlY/s1600-h/IMG_9348%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9348" border="0" height="428" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vK4_nq5QmO4/UTlsCI-yDHI/AAAAAAAAKCc/rGxNEnJUQoo/IMG_9348_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9348" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How nice that the incessant wind lately has swept the gravel paths mostly clean of oak leaves. All of those pots are the Purple Coneflower echinacea plants that I dug up but didn't want to part with - my compromise to deal with their bullying roots. Now I have to make hypertufa saucers to sit them on so they won't root through the bottom of the pots. I transplanted others to places along the fences a safe distance from roses and daylilies.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xD1LkiyDK5g/UTlsDD89SFI/AAAAAAAAKCk/qGPLuLV79Ec/s1600-h/IMG_9339%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9339" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6cUdg-E0Vm8/UTlsEKYscrI/AAAAAAAAKCs/npN1oy-yrAA/IMG_9339_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9339" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My latest clematis order just arrived last week from Brushwood Vines, bringing my total to 18. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-501R5TNyeD0/UTlsFoz-sdI/AAAAAAAAKC0/fRssC0d_2qY/s1600-h/IMG_9356%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9356" border="0" height="423" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Z2GD-2b45Y4/UTlsGzK_x9I/AAAAAAAAKC8/8BZWIggHSS0/IMG_9356_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9356" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's my pot ghetto consisting of hydrangeas, Angelonias, rooted rose cuttings, and a 'Gold Medal' grafted rose recently scarfed from Lowe's. Oh, and a petunia. The colorful pots on the left are waiting for the roses since there ain't no more room in the ground, except for 'Gold Medal' and 'Pope John Paul II'. All these pots have been coming into my kitchen on freezing nights. (It's easier through the side door.) Fortunately, there haven't been many this year. I do hope we're done with those and tonight is the last night for them inside.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0PaDO_pSVG7tAr34Sbegek4fwN347NhRrivduW5M_ttzCpsgwU-Ycd_myp8O6viyDeBJt6Wp6BiUtYlV__nZlvkPitUIi_IkGiQ9NdyDcq8PbrwL_4VQskphTurcR7rOSSdkgAx02xeM/s1600/IMG_9360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0PaDO_pSVG7tAr34Sbegek4fwN347NhRrivduW5M_ttzCpsgwU-Ycd_myp8O6viyDeBJt6Wp6BiUtYlV__nZlvkPitUIi_IkGiQ9NdyDcq8PbrwL_4VQskphTurcR7rOSSdkgAx02xeM/s640/IMG_9360.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a curious cane from RdO. Looks fine, and was supporting a long cane to the left with new growth.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEgq39AMSarD0oK5N9gCxNr9bmmzgKxxQRZsBjogD9fshDNnXff7I79XLkZOzPNQ-E6N6E8HKoAPsjIHInDUp-IaTlFaI6hZObe8DPCeU_Fm_Z_cvIfDVLMmuU0kyZ0Z_YOrHJSpk-OAtJ/s1600/IMG_9361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEgq39AMSarD0oK5N9gCxNr9bmmzgKxxQRZsBjogD9fshDNnXff7I79XLkZOzPNQ-E6N6E8HKoAPsjIHInDUp-IaTlFaI6hZObe8DPCeU_Fm_Z_cvIfDVLMmuU0kyZ0Z_YOrHJSpk-OAtJ/s640/IMG_9361.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flip it over, and you see it's totally chewed/rotted. It broke off before I could cut it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uE3vsZbCnyE/UTlsKVDsKLI/AAAAAAAAKDk/Sk1E3u4rXDs/s1600-h/IMG_9373%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9373" border="0" height="577" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IQBaSHF_ZK0/UTlsLYoDdNI/AAAAAAAAKDs/LHSZ_VUU39E/IMG_9373_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9373" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isn't she lovely in the morning sun?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-x8bSIzsnAQM/UTlsMVHnr8I/AAAAAAAAKD0/EAn7vM2yPKg/s1600-h/IMG_9371%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9371" border="0" height="617" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3QXzDKtoG3I/UTlsMzWBiAI/AAAAAAAAKD8/kvNvnGayuZA/IMG_9371_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9371" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before I went out to prune RdO, I commented to DH how impossible it was for me to see the canes, looking up into the sun or even just the bright sky. Green, brown, who knew? So he suggested I wear my sunglasses. He's so brilliant! So I got my eye-doctor glasses for when he dilates my eyes. They're polarized and completely cover my regular glasses and worked like a charm. So I thought I'd show you what you need to do in this situation. That's when I saw how sunburned I was which I then told DH. He said you didn't have your hat on? I said you didn't tell me to. hehe</td></tr>
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See ya in the funny papers!!</div>
sherryocalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06367991971551038582noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7928880599026491390.post-42064994736715680302013-02-27T23:15:00.002-08:002013-02-27T23:15:55.062-08:00Pruning a climbing Tea<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I’ll start out by saying that she used to be bigger than this and much prettier. 2012 was a bad year for ‘Maman Cochet, Climbing’. I used to only blame the squirrels, but as of today I blame the gardener, too, and I’ll be frank. This rose scared me. Tending to her even in my timid way meant getting shredded, and I was afraid if I cut her too much she would die. “Teas don’t like pruning!” is a constant refrain out there on the rose internet, and the only reason I took pruner in hand today was that I know a real, live person who grows MC, Climbing who prunes her side shoots the same way as other climbers - and does it twice a year to keep her in check even in Zone 7B North Carolina. She says she's no expert, but she's smarter than me! Thanks, Meredith.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fCxVT7zYwX4/US7ohggUEbI/AAAAAAAAJ0E/vJYQBETRVBg/s1600-h/IMG_9187%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9187" border="0" height="428" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bLkdJ-rsbhI/US7oig8JU0I/AAAAAAAAJ0M/tXUjDnO3OF4/IMG_9187_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9187" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She was thin, rangy and had had a lot of dead wood cut out of her at summer's end.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aGZ6QBNLRZ0/US7ojxMW_qI/AAAAAAAAJ0U/2Q9Wsm6kuhA/s1600-h/IMG_9188%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9188" border="0" height="396" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Mv56t-ODwAo/US7okuBLxoI/AAAAAAAAJ0c/Fb93slT6I50/IMG_9188_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9188" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back from the arbor, you can see her canes were going everywhere, and it was advisable to duck when venturing through her area.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jwF9kDv_6iA/US7olgiyVnI/AAAAAAAAJ0k/QcYfgZpoN9I/s1600-h/IMG_9189%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9189" border="0" height="236" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tQXZTx_Y8og/US7omAMuOUI/AAAAAAAAJ0s/WtZc9V5Sogc/IMG_9189_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9189" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was still lots of dead wood on top of the arbor. Timidity really prevailed after the last cutting binge when live wood looked just like dead wood. Uh-oh.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RBtE9BFhLwY/US7onA6Zl3I/AAAAAAAAJ00/staUU1-ADgo/s1600-h/IMG_9189%252520%2525282%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9189 (2)" border="0" height="401" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7xnFakE9uyI/US7on6zQU6I/AAAAAAAAJ08/V4NBHSvxfKk/IMG_9189%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9189 (2)" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wood trellis is 8 feet tall and 12 feet wide. Her canes flopped toward the house and seemed to be eager to devour my neighbor's house. To the right she reaches another 5 feet beyond the trellis, and to the left over the arbor she goes another 8 feet easy. And as to height, my guess would be 17 feet and waving.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NaEWO0-1qfU/US7oo0OsiqI/AAAAAAAAJ1E/-DXOe44FjLo/s1600-h/IMG_9191%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9191" border="0" height="335" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7mTfJR8OGnc/US7opsaYpaI/AAAAAAAAJ1M/KpMH2fvVKwA/IMG_9191_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9191" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking up into that mess, all I knew to do was <b>try</b> to follow the canes to the base and start cutting above the third budeye.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1ki4na5oSfw/US7oq41kYJI/AAAAAAAAJ1U/luRugzG3a8c/s1600-h/IMG_9192%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9192" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Xk-iWoaj9XE/US7orh-CquI/AAAAAAAAJ1c/mdzngSYiOMM/IMG_9192_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9192" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I saved this side for last. These canes are reaching out at me big-time. Side shoots break all along her canes and then grow 8, 10, 12 feet long... and then <b>they</b> do the same.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-h6-DKgVmMVY/US7osmLl4VI/AAAAAAAAJ1k/Y2DwKhbvnOo/s1600-h/IMG_9193%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9193" border="0" height="425" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-p9fOow4V0u4/US7ote0BXxI/AAAAAAAAJ1s/QAbjqszZQAE/IMG_9193_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9193" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At one time the growth over this arbor was a thing of beauty. I knew in my head that the old wood of climbers needed to be cut out regularly, but my head was good at ignoring what she couldn't figure out how to deal with.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ptp6g_3EQS8/US7outwhbZI/AAAAAAAAJ10/66W5hWXjnuc/s1600-h/IMG_9194%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9194" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RGKHXRGuA9Y/US7ovZI5pQI/AAAAAAAAJ18/86sNOb2dl-8/IMG_9194_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9194" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are half a dozen really long canes from the arbor hanging over the A/C unit.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-u9ebXVUlMrc/US7owibkfnI/AAAAAAAAJ2E/v2tRYfAmtI0/s1600-h/IMG_9199%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9199" border="0" height="361" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SXbFeReeMKo/US7oxYzlM-I/AAAAAAAAJ2M/80PnPOOpecc/IMG_9199_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9199" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More long canes reaching to the back and over both sides of the fence.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9Be-aXZ2xPEEcBK-uvv5OdGjWjRaO6VBl0Xobz2qmaiVngGFk_4ZHPj2nNQ2GY8uvxOxJUR2RHksHfcEZOUszPSQ_U_6Nti-jVbm65_TytiO2SxUTO1VaS2iGoi0Z5YKNDq-Or3Z6npL/s1600-h/IMG_9202%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9202" border="0" height="279" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IqupzihvzC0/US7oywojoTI/AAAAAAAAJ2c/Bpm5DdBfGRI/IMG_9202_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9202" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are a bunch of side shoots up there.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BZo_GN3mIr4/US7o0Ol69ZI/AAAAAAAAJ2k/1k4zSjC1vtE/s1600-h/IMG_9204%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9204" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yYmfvoHcA4Y/US7o0zeeRMI/AAAAAAAAJ2s/t-08h3l2ZYI/IMG_9204_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9204" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You literally cannot touch her without getting stuck. More accurately, hooked and sharply.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-D7HSoObjQLc/US7o2dxprII/AAAAAAAAJ20/4X1YYXF-5n4/s1600-h/IMG_9205%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9205" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mFiNR0Fotyc/US7o3H8iFXI/AAAAAAAAJ28/Jzt3Ds7Cb4s/IMG_9205_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9205" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazingly, the thought never crossed my mind to apply the loppers to her base.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TSWD7eRw7-g/US7o4fDwC7I/AAAAAAAAJ3E/OJfJsIkIkOc/s1600-h/IMG_9206%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9206" border="0" height="361" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4TTKw-8Mzro/US7o5MnQM2I/AAAAAAAAJ3M/qy5wTze2y-4/IMG_9206_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9206" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My head and shoulders had to go up in there, step by step on the ladder. Gives multi-tasking a whole new meaning.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oF8E4n1wMOc/US7o6UBncdI/AAAAAAAAJ3U/jMb0wbcA0c0/s1600-h/IMG_9209%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9209" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tv2oUnc_rbs/US7o7D6_XaI/AAAAAAAAJ3c/o_DE6qsigks/IMG_9209_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9209" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mommy, what did you do?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5dOEM5VBHpM/US7o8WOmQEI/AAAAAAAAJ3k/dybMGbeCCSo/s1600-h/IMG_9210%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9210" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Gte1S7KQ2so/US7o8x2Lc5I/AAAAAAAAJ3s/7p-AHPspK8E/IMG_9210_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9210" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think your scrolling finger is going to cramp up. Sorry.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nHRV3zs-jMU/US7o-E_VylI/AAAAAAAAJ30/FtcNHEWQH2M/s1600-h/IMG_9211%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9211" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KN9dzbGlQe8/US7o-2Q0qcI/AAAAAAAAJ38/hK9Z8bGR89A/IMG_9211_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9211" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, that looks painful. Poor baby.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Npvq0kCqsXk/US7o__7lR3I/AAAAAAAAJ4E/cn_qCIdQd0g/s1600-h/IMG_9213%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9213" border="0" height="369" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijvVwhyphenhyphen3uYox6uECnFEwenkBHxXYBBerD5-XCzkFYbYzwF0bOoRTIRCCbjIAWdO3ojxJaK93WBSsm5LNE8wTm4zWGkI7GQh34SN6xq7-mZuli22zQyUqxpZb32FdWp8CVJkRYUIG6iZKZM/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9213" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was my questionable area. The rules say don't shorten the main cane, only the laterals, but those canes to the left hang out five feet past the trellis over the grill and in a few months will have long laterals hanging off them. I tried sending them in a u-turn but already knew her stiff canes wouldn't do that. So I nipped one at a sprouted budeye and told it that it was now officially the new main cane. The others I'm still thinking about.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aUySAxQ1Lm4/US7pBtEl2GI/AAAAAAAAJ4U/ph76l-8pzbE/s1600-h/IMG_9215%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9215" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HkLyMnKjbh8/US7pCv4d41I/AAAAAAAAJ4c/oxEEcxyhQsQ/IMG_9215_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9215" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bird netting did a decent job of dissuading the squirrels from making her the fast-food stop on their fence-highway. I found one dangling by his toenails (literally) but was too lily-livered to finish the execution. Turns out he got away, but he must have warned his buddies. After that, I didn't see many squirrels on Mama's trellis.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FNinw8DpkOI/US7pDnZI76I/AAAAAAAAJ4k/1ZPovuV8UuE/s1600-h/IMG_9216%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9216" border="0" height="404" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PgLZlJIxRyo/US7pEfXCZaI/AAAAAAAAJ4s/llzh7ciRo18/IMG_9216_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9216" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are many, many swollen budeyes on those short laterals, so I'm hoping she will bush out like all the other pruned roses.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FQ1XGeVUnmk/US7pFRmL3UI/AAAAAAAAJ40/maIr4uy2Z0U/s1600-h/IMG_9217%252520%2525282%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9217 (2)" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-I1dxfZybUTM/US7pGGhoRyI/AAAAAAAAJ48/yV5zMOWmj5w/IMG_9217%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9217 (2)" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Her center portion over the base took a real hit last year. I'm hoping it wasn't because a clematis vine was growing up into her canopy. It wasn't a monster clem, only six to eight feet tall. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IpzKpDYSpqI/US7pHDsCVlI/AAAAAAAAJ5E/aw9B4Iv8FiA/s1600-h/IMG_9218%252520%2525283%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9218 (3)" border="0" height="457" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jWQpiPc3JCc/US7pHxXk16I/AAAAAAAAJ5M/ZsPCj9pjwUU/IMG_9218%252520%2525283%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9218 (3)" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I just plain had to chop her long main canes over the arbor. What else could I do? They don't do well hanging down toward the ground, and the roof is not an option.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yEwaGrEZRvw/US7pJLnbFYI/AAAAAAAAJ5U/AcihqSVa0m8/s1600-h/IMG_9220%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9220" border="0" height="465" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SCUBlU49Itw/US7pJ09icAI/AAAAAAAAJ5c/e9fynlCeZ_A/IMG_9220_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9220" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bungee is temporary :)) She still wants to eat the orange house. I should let her.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Hl2DuX0UrfY/US7pK7yIrXI/AAAAAAAAJ5k/c8XIkISBlS8/s1600-h/IMG_9223%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9223" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-T4M-vFDyzmY/US7pLRRWJNI/AAAAAAAAJ5s/hCtKiS611is/IMG_9223_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9223" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The white rope is my version of a pulley system to hoist her heavy, prickled canes up high enough to walk under. I know someone who leases big cranes. I'll have to give her a call.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-x1xQX8OwSBk/US7pMWmYpNI/AAAAAAAAJ50/kJ3NMWvQ2og/s1600-h/IMG_9224%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9224" border="0" height="391" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tXtVTmDrVgU/US7pMxYm4pI/AAAAAAAAJ58/b_tXN2YQM84/IMG_9224_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9224" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She doesn't look too bad, ya think?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-g7KQTUvnKe4/US7pOG6qceI/AAAAAAAAJ6E/977-JoKsEC4/s1600-h/IMG_9225%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9225" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8JlvI42LFWg/US7pOgDZuLI/AAAAAAAAJ6M/GUODcp36ZsQ/IMG_9225_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9225" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When I was shortening laterals at the right side of this photo, I was finding perfectly live, long canes already cut off, and I was ticked that I had cut something that was alive, thinking it was dead. Then it hit me. They were the cut laterals from over the arbor! Still sad but definitely necessary. I was pulling canes out by the yard.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Hpq6_AYlhhY/US7pPYLj6oI/AAAAAAAAJ6U/KuoHZ-XkFow/s1600-h/IMG_9229%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9229" border="0" height="289" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NiDKMyPhlH4/US7pP9TMOzI/AAAAAAAAJ6c/ka88pJyx6KI/IMG_9229_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9229" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All neat and tidy. And no torn flesh on my body. I was so smart this time. Of course, I wore the gauntlets but also long sleeves - a first! The shirt got hooked <b>lots</b> of times by prickles that wouldn't let go. So glad it wasn't my arms. Gosh, that's so painful.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-h38SQHYhDB8/US7pQ_YpceI/AAAAAAAAJ6k/b-Ela8valyo/s1600-h/IMG_9231%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9231" border="0" height="423" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-a-wl6CczvVU/US7pRiwaH4I/AAAAAAAAJ6s/0BpXkdXpkrw/IMG_9231_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9231" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oops. Looks like I missed one.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pZNCWMWC-YU/US7pSdv4IGI/AAAAAAAAJ60/A33q_ey0zCs/s1600-h/IMG_9232%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9232" border="0" height="324" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IOtX3GavYa0/US7pS-PGYFI/AAAAAAAAJ68/hIMDaoTDbYA/IMG_9232_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9232" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'll keep you posted as the laterals grow out. I'm thinking she'll need a comb-over for a rather big bare spot.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EClLhfgdVvU/US7pUKvyYEI/AAAAAAAAJ7E/3tc7liLp-9c/s1600-h/IMG_9234%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9234" border="0" height="340" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JavU_qBsUpM/US7pU2GkHvI/AAAAAAAAJ7M/msZZxpn3JNs/IMG_9234_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9234" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one pile is about the size of a twin bed. I know absolutely that I cut off 40 <b>really </b>long canes, probably more than that, but stop and think about it. She <b>must </b>been struggling to find enough energy to support all that growth. And not succeeding. Which was evident in her sad condition.</td></tr>
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So I have a strong feeling that Mama Cochet does not hate me now. I feel like she’s glad I showed her the tough love that she’s been needing and suffering without. Here's to a glorious spring! <b>after</b> the forecast of below-freezing temps this weekend. The groundhog was flat wrong, but I'm praying he was right.</div>
sherryocalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06367991971551038582noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7928880599026491390.post-68957039024151639632013-02-19T08:35:00.000-08:002013-02-20T14:16:42.129-08:00My Wife the Gardener<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
With absolute glee I am reposting this wonderful poem from Jan Bills<span style="color: #0000ee;"><u>'</u></span> website, <i>Two Women and a Hoe.</i> She says the author is unknown, but he definitely knows <i>me! </i>I’m posting it here as a salute to all of the loving husbands of gardening wives whose reservoir of understanding is so deep and so wide. They deserve a special shout-out. <br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">So here’s to the husbands!!! Especially mine!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Hqkr0rIzQLU/USOpK_XGi3I/AAAAAAAAJzk/_TrAEBer9BA/s1600-h/My%252520Wife%252520the%252520Gardener%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="My Wife the Gardener" border="0" height="1375" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oICAclnT45k/USOpL8VmtbI/AAAAAAAAJzs/8g0GkqAt5is/My%252520Wife%252520the%252520Gardener_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="My Wife the Gardener" width="644" /></a></div>
sherryocalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06367991971551038582noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7928880599026491390.post-76911092455179267612013-02-18T18:38:00.000-08:002013-02-19T16:22:41.689-08:00Horses and their poop<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
DH and I drove out to horsey northwest Marion County for another load of composted horse manure. It is a truly beautiful, scenic trip over rolling hills with fenced pastures to the right and to the left past farm after farm along Highway 27. After last night’s dip into the 20’s most of the pastures were not as lovely as on the last trip, now tan instead of emerald green. I took my camera with me, so you could watch the compost acquisition.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5FOFVncJnR8/USLYsFQQcJI/AAAAAAAAJs0/G9bgzTFBsiM/s1600-h/IMG_9145%25255B11%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9145" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DBA-k3p3vsE/USLYtFHgFoI/AAAAAAAAJs8/3fKlGSvRGuc/IMG_9145_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9145" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's steam coming off the manure compost! Never saw that before.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8meuZJGJifw/USLYuvksvBI/AAAAAAAAJtE/UVrPflsijOo/s1600-h/IMG_9146%25255B8%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9146" border="0" height="447" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-G8ohWuqvVTY/USLYvfTuvOI/AAAAAAAAJtM/IfqI7Cp09C0/IMG_9146_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9146" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown gold is on its way.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YdQBBXJnIp0/USLYw9uJ-bI/AAAAAAAAJtU/-8Mx2rn64dc/s1600-h/IMG_9147%25255B8%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9147" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FP7g0YvgHg0/USLYxx41ODI/AAAAAAAAJtc/ufO1cJoPBmI/IMG_9147_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9147" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The nice fellow driving the tractor has very good aim.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qMxtD6MCo90/USLYzbV5pDI/AAAAAAAAJtk/8YvCtvUulmU/s1600-h/IMG_9148%25255B8%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9148" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8QzG32GMPho/USLY0WQ6hcI/AAAAAAAAJts/GEucXYQTl0Y/IMG_9148_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9148" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the perks of rose gardening... watching heavy equipment.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ksxe7w7znCQ/USLY1ufdzGI/AAAAAAAAJt0/fSiL5UNRMHk/s1600-h/IMG_9149%25255B8%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9149" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_oG9iZdRxlQ/USLY2VinegI/AAAAAAAAJt8/5Cfp1SzFVRw/IMG_9149_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9149" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anticipation...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1wXakeyE_Xw/USLY3hFkeaI/AAAAAAAAJuE/CX7Mw-msS0I/s1600-h/IMG_9150%25255B8%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9150" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rPcfyb_DwkU/USLY4XugY4I/AAAAAAAAJuM/5XvRJT5pPwk/IMG_9150_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9150" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dump-a-roony!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_YuRZh-k6Mk/USLY5pgfBtI/AAAAAAAAJuU/Z_ZhU0IkvZ0/s1600-h/IMG_9151%25255B8%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9151" border="0" height="431" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1Md6H_Lv6QJ0tMv6U0RxibnPTf-qoHiBiYQ3rahJbQ2_20XCjZSXs5oXLSg_VS0jBDVagquQlCD1sZu4SDOfjjjdPM72NM6RaxuJeLNC6XQldZyLiNzh_WoHDpNO7x9ziPdWhF3kWpkr/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9151" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More steam. Very cool.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BUPpO-4-ptM/USLY7dVZ0SI/AAAAAAAAJuk/ofShUrsQlh8/s1600-h/IMG_9152%25255B8%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9152" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-72FIivWHomE/USLY8cpIX6I/AAAAAAAAJus/pNyP8FxA62U/IMG_9152_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9152" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three heaping buckets all tied up. The tarp makes it easier to remove the compost from the truck. His bucket is the size of a long bed whereas ours is a short bed, so we leave him a mess to clean up. Like I said, he's very nice about it and glad to have someone take it off his hands. Probably will need a fifth load.</td></tr>
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Since I had my camera, I thought I'd take some pics of the beautiful horses that are usually on the farm, but they must have been inside having dinner.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SJijld3Bt_c/USLY9toJePI/AAAAAAAAJu0/3NeItfG4E9k/s1600-h/IMG_9156%25255B8%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9156" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3mqPygMGgxc/USLY-QXBHRI/AAAAAAAAJu8/TcI9p6_z9jo/IMG_9156_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9156" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Down the road a piece I spotted a couple in a pasture close enough to the fence so as not to embarrass my lens. He's a nice one.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4WAp_ofnlJs/USLY_rOFywI/AAAAAAAAJvE/gPhJAPP382g/s1600-h/IMG_9158%25255B8%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9158" border="0" height="484" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-e-swZDkMeqk/USLZAnshmvI/AAAAAAAAJvM/tu87fOOzIC0/IMG_9158_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9158" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He/she decided to mosey over to see who was looking at him.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-w4WQTXIIKv8/USLZBhgs9HI/AAAAAAAAJvU/pPyb_Boutro/s1600-h/IMG_9159%25255B8%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9159" border="0" height="428" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sV-NfMBa0FM/USLZCB8nx_I/AAAAAAAAJvc/CH6a-po12Ts/IMG_9159_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9159" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then his young friend came over, too.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XscM0TJj6hA/USLZDM_hofI/AAAAAAAAJvk/6ZJPgrFRIoY/s1600-h/IMG_9164%25255B8%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9164" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Awjv7NzvZWg/USLZDgtErnI/AAAAAAAAJvs/OhJuqk_4g-U/IMG_9164_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9164" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I like horses... in movies and books, but in person they are very foreign to me, very big animals known to have teeth. Teeth in animals bother me.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dstXH2tZx7w/USLZFanWrpI/AAAAAAAAJv4/dembi3niTRI/s1600-h/IMG_9167%25255B8%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9167" border="0" height="457" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rRl1GVd3_Fk/USLZGBNYEUI/AAAAAAAAJwA/NIbEYRaQRQI/IMG_9167_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9167" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But this fellow had such a sweet face.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wE1ZJe607wg/USLZHBuMYDI/AAAAAAAAJwI/QkNs__Y--OE/s1600-h/IMG_9168%25255B9%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9168" border="0" height="468" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mEdANXKUNpM/USLZH_YYZzI/AAAAAAAAJwQ/yFlFGP2SyLM/IMG_9168_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9168" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">His look made me wish I could read horse-minds, but probably I don't need to be Freud to figure out he was looking for a snack. Sorry, buddy. I really wanted to stroke his face, but the coward in me prevailed. I left without letting him know my true feelings for him. Do you think he can read human-minds? I get the feeling that he reads hearts though.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9Hj8YS6pqCU/USLZJeVcQYI/AAAAAAAAJwY/P4_3vigb2K4/s1600-h/IMG_9174%25255B8%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9174" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-G4ab8cOQgo8/USLZKFZb5HI/AAAAAAAAJwg/YGRlPIaerPs/IMG_9174_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9174" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frozen azaleas are not pretty, and they are very sad. I guess it would take a miracle for the rest of the buds to open now... rather than rot. Ahhh, the fragrance of the rotting Florida landscape after a freeze. Not nice.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-F4bghb7p3cU/USLZLa8j2KI/AAAAAAAAJwo/-cMZMNn4MzU/s1600-h/IMG_9046%25255B9%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9046" border="0" height="540" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_6emnv8IMso/USLZMJ6XLFI/AAAAAAAAJww/xhUjw_oRTGs/IMG_9046_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9046" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No sad endings here (did everyone watch 'Downton Abbey' last night? OMG, how could they?) so I'll end with the lovely Reve d'Or from a few days ago. Amazingly, she looked pristine today after the freezing night. Maybe, she'll be fine... in my dreams.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Stay warm… wherever you are.<br />
<br />
2/19/13 Postscript: Dare I say it? Great minds think alike. Yesterday my blog was on compost, and today <a href="http://www.themarthablog.com/?rsc=todaysidea_Homepage_Homepage">Martha Stewart's blog</a> is on compost. She doesn't mention horse manure, but she's got plenty of heavy equipment. So dare I say that I may have inspired the inspiring Martha? Uhhh... probably not.</div>
sherryocalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06367991971551038582noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7928880599026491390.post-20428670309090108812013-02-14T12:27:00.000-08:002013-02-14T18:19:07.189-08:00Dispel not the dream<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IDCt-Ma_2bY/UR03tWL7WCI/AAAAAAAAJnU/gEZiKGJKkvI/s1600-h/pierre-paul-prud-hon-portrait-of-marie-louise-de-hapsburg-lorraine-1791-1847-oil-on-canvas%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img alt="pierre-paul-prud-hon-portrait-of-marie-louise-de-hapsburg-lorraine-1791-1847-oil-on-canvas" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-i7pYI0PJluw/UR03uLSKQTI/AAAAAAAAJnc/VomIG2DRfBY/pierre-paul-prud-hon-portrait-of-marie-louise-de-hapsburg-lorraine-1791-1847-oil-on-canvas_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="pierre-paul-prud-hon-portrait-of-marie-louise-de-hapsburg-lorraine-1791-1847-oil-on-canvas" width="324" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iskH7C8gRDw/UR03u9teVaI/AAAAAAAAJnk/kKFyQSsu9W8/s1600-h/vigee-lebrun-elisabeth-louise-la-reine-marie-antoinette-dit-a-la-rose-1755-1793%25255B15%25255D.jpg"><img alt="vigee-lebrun-elisabeth-louise-la-reine-marie-antoinette-dit-a-la-rose-1755-1793" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YOhytXCXFG8/UR03vdsvp7I/AAAAAAAAJns/fFtTfQ6ov04/vigee-lebrun-elisabeth-louise-la-reine-marie-antoinette-dit-a-la-rose-1755-1793_thumb%25255B13%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="vigee-lebrun-elisabeth-louise-la-reine-marie-antoinette-dit-a-la-rose-1755-1793" width="324" /></a><br />
<br />
The arrival of the everblooming rose in the early 19th century was no small event. In fact, it was huge. Queens, most famously Marie Antoinette of France, posed with this earth-shaking discovery for their portrait. Georgia Torrey Drennan states unequivocally that “nothing in the history of the rose has been of greater importance than the creation of the Tea.” I have come upon her book, written way back in 1912, and I’m enjoying it as I would a bowl of luscious strawberries in the shade on a balmy, late spring day. Her writing style, naturally, is of a bygone era and delightfully transports me to her time and sensibilities. Her title page gives the first indication that today’s reader is taking a step back into a much different time.<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Traditional Arabic;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">EVERBLOOMING ROSES</span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Traditional Arabic; font-size: x-small;"><b>For the Out-door Garden of the Amateur</b></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Traditional Arabic; font-size: x-small;">THEIR CULTURE, HABITS, DESCRIPTION,<br />CARE, NATIVITY, PARENTAGE</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Traditional Arabic; font-size: xx-small;">WITH AUTHENTIC GUIDES TO THE SELECTION<br />OF EVERBLOOMING VARIETIES OF ROSES</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Traditional Arabic;">BY</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Traditional Arabic; font-size: x-small;">GEORGIA TORREY DRENNAN</span></div>
<div align="center">
<i><span style="font-family: Traditional Arabic;">"<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Rose culture may claim to be quite the oldest and the most<br />highly developed of the many struggles of man with nature."</span></span></i></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
In particular, right at the first page I was moved by her dedication of the book.<br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>My dear children and grandchildren:-</b></i></span></span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The loveliest and sweetest of everblooming roses that I am telling you about grow in a garden in the South. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> You will never see the roses nor tread the garden walks. It is a beautiful garden. The roses are always in bloom. The buds never blight and the roses never shatter nor fade. The seasons never change. It is always summer. Daffodils, hyacinths, snowdrops, and tulips - flowers of spring; lilies and pansies, sweet peas and honeysuckles of summer; chrysanthemums and asters of autumn, in one sweet day of summer are blooming with the roses. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> There is a wealth and tangle of bloom. Weeds are crowded out by many kinds of flowers close beside the roses, blooming as flowers only bloom for those who love and tend them with patient care and thought. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> From the near-by orchard, fruity odours blend with the perfume of the roses. Bees are droning over the old pond pasture, white with clover blossoms. There is a vinous tang in the air from the Concord grapes in the little vineyard. The ambient air is sweet with the spicy breath of pinks and the fragrance of violets bordering the beds where the roses grow. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Children are there at play. The heart of the happy young mother responds to their flute-like voices mingling with the notes of song birds flitting in and out of the roses climbing over the nursery window. - Tread softly. - Close the garden gate. - Dispel not the dream.</span></span><br />
<br /></blockquote>
Were I to hold that dedication in my heart each day while I am tending my garden (notice I did not say working in my garden), I am convinced that the dream would be much closer to becoming the reality.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-D6K7NUR3DIU/UR03w82CG8I/AAAAAAAAJn0/zSRJLQ-_eSk/s1600-h/IMG_9089%252520%2525282%252529%25255B34%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9089 (2)" border="0" height="476" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6NXnpS6GUDA/UR03yMh5yKI/AAAAAAAAJn8/-28mf7yaqaM/IMG_9089%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B32%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9089 (2)" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Cracker Rose Pink', a found China rose. There's also a red version. This petite rose can be purchased from <a href="http://rosepetalsnursery.com/">Rose Petals Nursery. </a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cUm2P2JbKBE/UR03zalajtI/AAAAAAAAJoE/ZqkQzRjO5bo/s1600-h/IMG_9080%25255B10%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9080" border="0" height="479" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6IBfSo5UvIg/UR030EmJAJI/AAAAAAAAJoM/EJwaEx3v8Ic/IMG_9080_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9080" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Madame Lombard', a Tea rose bred by François Lacharme (France, 1878). </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-inv9OSMuMZw/UR031ISI-tI/AAAAAAAAJoU/3DeWpsfWWh4/s1600-h/IMG_9082%25255B8%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9082" border="0" height="620" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FpiT2y_C8RA/UR032Kr-3xI/AAAAAAAAJoc/HRNQTk4t8E8/IMG_9082_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9082" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Madame Lombard' again</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--PYpiTtccyg/UR0322PfVwI/AAAAAAAAJok/cbhfglqZHDQ/s1600-h/IMG_9084%252520%2525282%252529%25255B9%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9084 (2)" border="0" height="289" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jEdJoLtO5F4/UR033Wklg6I/AAAAAAAAJos/jrZ_DTMDYxo/IMG_9084%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9084 (2)" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Souvenir de la Malmaison', a Bourbon of Tea heritage bred by Jean Béluze (France, 1843) and named in remembrance of the garden of Josephine, wife of Napoleon Bonaparte, at Malmaison. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Jcrup7pXGvQ/UR034CTfZKI/AAAAAAAAJo0/8OlMfjXJxUY/s1600-h/IMG_9094%25255B12%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9094" border="0" height="834" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7GTX-1aeKaY/UR0340WN31I/AAAAAAAAJo8/chsZ2mpJ_Xg/IMG_9094_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9094" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This silly Florida gardener planted tulip bulbs last month after chilling them in the refrigerator for two months. Imagine my excitement upon seeing them bloom. This one is called 'Happy Generation'.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-B6vbb0NR-Q4/UR036F2BCVI/AAAAAAAAJpE/ZzVbtniI3_k/s1600-h/IMG_9097%25255B8%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9097" border="0" height="468" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6XrG72sBUEo/UR036gE6H6I/AAAAAAAAJpM/RLSwIWY4lUs/IMG_9097_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9097" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'White Maman Cochet', a Tea discovered by A. Marshall (Australia, before 1896) and by John W. Cook (United States, 1896). </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-raiinKWIKvI/UR037r9luzI/AAAAAAAAJpU/2WKeciWyaPk/s1600-h/IMG_9100%25255B8%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9100" border="0" height="375" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JZK3t3I1kdc/UR038IkDKlI/AAAAAAAAJpc/eQ2G2yMmwWY/IMG_9100_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9100" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'White Maman Cochet' again, hanging her head as she is wont to do. Yesterday's drizzle guaranteed that her 5" flower would not stand up for sure.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nmU7Q-2hld0/UR039esfZOI/AAAAAAAAJpk/OGIVVa0vJjE/s1600-h/IMG_9101%25255B8%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9101" border="0" height="527" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-txUDq6hBREE/UR03-BL_WII/AAAAAAAAJps/An-kXFzdboo/IMG_9101_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9101" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Madame Antoine Rebe', a Tea bred by Joseph-Marin Laperrière (France, 1900). Known as a red Tea, yesterday she was definitely this fuchsia rose color at least on this blown flower.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UvaVs1ba4RI/UR03_JP4--I/AAAAAAAAJp0/_7GYWARXCQM/s1600-h/IMG_9103%25255B8%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9103" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-51jEUtcEcpE/UR03_7ZD1UI/AAAAAAAAJp8/trg6IK5Btv4/IMG_9103_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9103" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Madame Antoine Rebe' again, showing more red in this slightly opened bud.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fGj61SSAlbE/UR04A9XE5HI/AAAAAAAAJqE/u0WrESj3Xn0/s1600-h/IMG_9086%252520%2525282%252529%25255B8%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9086 (2)" border="0" height="287" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1axdZQwhHIo/UR04BU0DyuI/AAAAAAAAJqM/w3WSOe7RTDc/IMG_9086%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9086 (2)" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Souvenir de la Malmaison' again. It's early in this flush so she's not <i>covered</i> in blooms, but her habit is to <i>just keep blooming</i> and I don't often see her completely <i>covered</i>. Her flowers in this early spring have been very large though, easily 5" when fully open.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YfHke9uOQvw/UR04CzHZrDI/AAAAAAAAJqU/8ypJ2qVVBcI/s1600-h/IMG_9079%25255B8%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9079" border="0" height="332" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bldClJICjjo/UR04Dn9BfMI/AAAAAAAAJqc/aNbb89NPp-k/IMG_9079_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9079" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Rosette Delizy', a Tea bred by Clément Nabonnand (France, 1922).She was only a tiny thing when planted last November, but she has grown impressively and is now covered in buds. So thrilling to have her back in the garden.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HfvkiRpCtQo/UR04FYgFJBI/AAAAAAAAJqk/d1kas9N2qII/s1600-h/IMG_9093%25255B8%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_9093" border="0" height="500" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zS3REip67UA/UR04GXmZHSI/AAAAAAAAJqs/lHMwO9kPUms/IMG_9093_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9093" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I thought this photo conveyed somewhat of a bygone feeling with the climber 'Clotilde Soupert', a poly/Tea, dribbling down over the azaleas. Oh, red and fuchsia are an appropriate combination in Florida...just sayin'.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
If you would like to download this public-domain book, <i>Everblooming Roses</i>, go <a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=p-0sAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=everblooming+roses&hl=en&sa=X&ei=bQYdUYW5Namq2gWv4YGwAw&sqi=2&ved=0CDkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=everblooming%20roses&f=false">HERE</a>. Google has graciously scanned many old books and makes them available in the EPUB version and in PDF. I do hope you’ll settle in amongst your cushy pillows with a cup of tea or hot cocoa and take this trip to Georgia Drennan’s Mississippi garden. You will surely discover the true meaning of everblooming roses and their impact on your gardening life.</div>
sherryocalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06367991971551038582noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7928880599026491390.post-18144373483233920422013-02-07T21:18:00.000-08:002013-02-07T21:18:12.176-08:00Now THIS is bling!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I was searching through the photos on my netbook for some pretties to post on the new Marion County Rose Society Facebook page that I’ve been working on (finally got it up yesterday – check it out!) but not many there. My old PC is big-time busted and getting new brains and guts at this time (Yay! no more spinning circles!), so I resorted to pulling photos off my old blog posts. So since I'm eager to replace the thrips that are presently at the top of the blog, here is a reprise of some really good old ones and a few from the last couple of days. It’s amazing even to me that there is such beauty in the garden in February. Got a little rain today. Hope that doesn’t mean freezing cold is on the way. Please, no.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-A-nVYNxJOtw/URSDnOgAXNI/AAAAAAAAJgk/U3yrH51ypAg/s1600-h/IMG_8095%252520%2525283%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8095 (3)" border="0" height="513" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-53t_mz0cM2k/URSDnzIVIrI/AAAAAAAAJgs/iIGrbFjPCU8/IMG_8095%252520%2525283%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8095 (3)" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Polonaise', a Buck rose</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ny2wP-8FNqk/URSDpH08tqI/AAAAAAAAJg0/c8zhVAmQX54/s1600-h/MBRC%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="MBRC" border="0" height="516" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0vwMzZoG_zo/URSDpl7Y0xI/AAAAAAAAJg8/o_Z01nj1h0Q/MBRC_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="MBRC" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Mrs B. R. Cant', a Tea rose (a couple days ago)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WisUjDJhKH0/URSDqz2KvLI/AAAAAAAAJhE/MkkHHheY1GE/s1600-h/Mme%252520Lombard%252520%2525282%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mme Lombard (2)" border="0" height="487" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wMy85hlzYfA/URSDrYQ2MvI/AAAAAAAAJhM/SVe_bJlx3Eo/Mme%252520Lombard%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Mme Lombard (2)" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Madame Lombard', a Tea rose</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sLmkAyM3iqk/URSDsLPqrNI/AAAAAAAAJhU/x-Wx5XSmgbw/s1600-h/MaryGuthrie%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="MaryGuthrie" border="0" height="529" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-trEfKktI8yI/URSDs1g0DZI/AAAAAAAAJhc/-S82RQ_m70c/MaryGuthrie_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="MaryGuthrie" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Mary Guthrie', a polyantha by Alister Clark</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jIC5N0z-tyc/URSDtt_pO2I/AAAAAAAAJhk/YsZLXCTl3h0/s1600-h/LilianAustin%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="LilianAustin" border="0" height="639" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kOsRnk3XFjI/URSDuBw3SNI/AAAAAAAAJhs/r00w2nVxQbk/LilianAustin_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="LilianAustin" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Lilian Austin' by David Austin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vMbmJcdj2UY/URSDvGRSGQI/AAAAAAAAJh4/ia4Bq--VtHI/s1600-h/IMG_0901%252520%2525282%252529cover%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_0901 (2)cover" border="0" height="271" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BiqOHmGrYE0/URSDv5u2nLI/AAAAAAAAJiA/qcsDgrFOct8/IMG_0901%252520%2525282%252529cover_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0901 (2)cover" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Capitaine Dyel de Graville', a Bourbon in the SDLM clan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-427uAM5mLqk/URSDw5URdrI/AAAAAAAAJiI/mfIyArggUsg/s1600-h/IMG_1392%252520%2525282%252529cover%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1392 (2)cover" border="0" height="252" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XX_dzx1wl24/URSDxiaUj-I/AAAAAAAAJiQ/-v5ssNTzRzc/IMG_1392%252520%2525282%252529cover_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1392 (2)cover" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'White Pet', a polyantha/China</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Zt8OVuW9Jdw/URSDySIk97I/AAAAAAAAJiY/LibiymSJ5rI/s1600-h/IMG_1400%252520%2525282%252529cover%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1400 (2)cover" border="0" height="225" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zKAmy18v3VQ/URSDyx5UNVI/AAAAAAAAJig/zWhqhNSFk7s/IMG_1400%252520%2525282%252529cover_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1400 (2)cover" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I believe this is 'Madame Abel Chatenay', an early Hybrid Tea.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uFNiMZvGhFo/URSDzrhgBnI/AAAAAAAAJio/HcZ3_IGPBn8/s1600-h/MaryGuthrie2%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="MaryGuthrie2" border="0" height="631" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lHCpPKNSUfo/URSD0eWxVaI/AAAAAAAAJiw/Hmq2lkgF7sU/MaryGuthrie2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="MaryGuthrie2" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Mary Guthrie' again</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yYCcd75e19s/URSD1TC2ERI/AAAAAAAAJi4/Yg2vYUYraW4/s1600-h/Climbing%252520Pinkie%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Climbing Pinkie" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YcD_S0eLnfM/URSD2Hk_hkI/AAAAAAAAJjA/Nxu4Vdf_FFY/Climbing%252520Pinkie_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Climbing Pinkie" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Climbing Pinkie', a polyantha a few days ago</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3Hmd02fjkdA/URSD268HAGI/AAAAAAAAJjI/O6t-CvKDhFs/s1600-h/IMG_1380%25255B3%25255D%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_1380[3]" border="0" height="484" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oAfLfY0FuB0/URSD3vk9dDI/AAAAAAAAJjQ/siGskXEZufE/IMG_1380%25255B3%25255D_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1380[3]" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Quietness', a Buck rose</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7mCFC-OM814/URSD4S15hCI/AAAAAAAAJjY/0avId3Ks3XE/s1600-h/ClotildeSoupert%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="ClotildeSoupert" border="0" height="484" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6Aw6X4v249A/URSD5D0JGNI/AAAAAAAAJjg/VakRgSHHwRE/ClotildeSoupert_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="ClotildeSoupert" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Clotilde Soupert, Climbing', a polyantha/Tea a few days ago</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nnjAVhz8U7U/URSD57-0YRI/AAAAAAAAJjo/IApO_8fOzcU/s1600-h/BowBells%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="BowBells" border="0" height="412" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iJ5e67KBSFc/URSD6n9rwfI/AAAAAAAAJjw/j-f3_a7LtjA/BowBells_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="BowBells" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Bow Bells', a David Austin rose - last week, I think</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotO8Cir768L0SwaFZNO-TGXApAi2FIy9xtQUlQ9q4HRBsz6hQPLh2U9Y2sEocMVM8VUVHGsSxWqkFclv1g1lmeBkzs6MNj4-IlZO9jMeA5ZCCPoJedhngR7A9u9Sp_9cairMBZM-mPm9p/s1600-h/Hermosa%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hermosa" border="0" height="535" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nrdYM1yocmY/URSD8vJxgRI/AAAAAAAAJkA/wJHYFGuceD4/Hermosa_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Hermosa" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one had me stumped. I can't remember owning a rose with this many blooms AND leaves! Then it hit me. "Hermosa', a China/Bourbon. This photo is definitely the reason I hold onto to these three plants. She's really pinker than this, too. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dKxOHSBe1o8/URSD9I4CpZI/AAAAAAAAJkI/P8FxTrNFWsc/s1600-h/LeVesuve2%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="LeVesuve2" border="0" height="604" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KGXekxInleY/URSD90g7x8I/AAAAAAAAJkQ/ryVaui6Hq6s/LeVesuve2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="LeVesuve2" width="536" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Le Vesuve', a China/Tea</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xto9FgVJlrA/URSD-otxViI/AAAAAAAAJkY/pdG5FrQMpKw/s1600-h/Etoile%252520de%252520Mai%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Etoile de Mai" border="0" height="396" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PtB6xGQOIek/URSD_YVaNJI/AAAAAAAAJkg/ELv4yWTyfPc/Etoile%252520de%252520Mai_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Etoile de Mai" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Etoile de Mai', a polyantha - last week, I think. Life is a blur, isn't it? Especially at midnight.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7NMcBzk-5vs/URSEAMDPirI/AAAAAAAAJko/J0urlwSVIaU/s1600-h/Etoile%252520de%252520Mai2%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Etoile de Mai2" border="0" height="604" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-X2YmeLs93Ck/URSEAvbcpdI/AAAAAAAAJkw/VrISGaxDyks/Etoile%252520de%252520Mai2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Etoile de Mai2" width="589" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Etoile de Mai' again. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-h5wg_6ormUU/URSEBf-2RZI/AAAAAAAAJk4/3h6G74H8U8o/s1600-h/ClotildeSoupert2%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="ClotildeSoupert2" border="0" height="604" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zb1CSN5zuyE/URSECIPhiXI/AAAAAAAAJlA/jCrbLiynAr4/ClotildeSoupert2_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="ClotildeSoupert2" width="569" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Clotilde Soupert', a polyantha bush form. Different angle, different look.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cQpWiW3v1Js/URSEDG8nsjI/AAAAAAAAJlI/_6SsYnqiaqc/s1600-h/NurMahal%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="NurMahal" border="0" height="439" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kp5usLnEJZM/URSED8KTLvI/AAAAAAAAJlQ/mn90hC4PSj0/NurMahal_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="NurMahal" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Nur Mahal', a Hybrid Musk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Have a restful sleep, my friends. Dream of spring. It’s closer than it was yesterday. Yaaaay!</div>
sherryocalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06367991971551038582noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7928880599026491390.post-40257812626078803802013-02-02T10:13:00.001-08:002013-02-02T10:13:46.611-08:00Revision to my thrips post<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: red;">For everyone who has already read yesterday's post and moved on <b>My Plan has been revised.</b> Thanks to a very accomplished rosey friend I have new information on
dealing with flower thrips that I need to pass on to you in addition to the change I made to yesterday's post. She
suggested <a href="http://rosecare1.stores.yahoo.net/peo01-5.html">Saf-T-Side horticultural oil</a>.
She uses it to keep the thrips population under
control and says it's cheap, doesn't burn except in the hottest summer
temps, and is very
friendly to beneficials. I did some investigating myself last night and
found that she's right, of course. I wondered why such an easy,
non-toxic remedy wasn't mentioned anywhere else in my searches for an
answer to thrips - or maybe I was only looking at the chemical remedies.
You can read about it <a href="https://insects.tamu.edu/extension/publications/epubs/e-419.cfm">HERE</a>. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">As I was thinking about it last night, I became concerned about getting
the spray on flowers because the oil damages them, and the whole point
of spraying anything is to prevent damage to the blooms. Then I
considered the timing. In two or three weeks I will prune (though not
all of the bushes get pruned), so they will not have flowers or even much foliage on them. (Hmm, I'm recalling
Dr. Malcolm Manners' practice of stripping leaves on <u>all</u> of his roses
at pruning time.) The roses will be leafing out and setting flower buds
during the weeks after that, and that's when the thrips arrive - just in
time to hit all that tender new growth. <i>That </i>will be the
time to spray the Saf-T-Side. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">There doesn't seem to be much difference
to me between the Saf-T-Side and the spinosad except in their toxicity
to bees which probably amounts to a huge difference ecologically. This
spraying business is definitely a reach for my inexperienced brain.
Gardening is surprisingly full of new experiences, and I'm trying not to
lead you all down a path that might be wrong for you - again. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">As regards horticultural oils my smart rosey friend says<span style="color: #b00000;">,</span> "<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: red;">When you mention oils, people will</span> </span></span><span style="color: red;">say they burn. If they investigate, as you did, and as I have done, they will
find that the Saf-T-Side is different in its formulation. I tested it this
summer when I had chili thrips. Wanted to use something other than spinosad if
possible. It controlled them for quite a while and didn’t burn, even in summer
heat.</span> <span style="color: red;">Temperatures now are very favorable for the use of oil and will continue to be so for
several more months. </span><span style="color: red;">A lot of the burning problem depends on the age of the leaves as well. The very
youngest are simply more susceptible to burning. I absolutely hate to use
insecticides of any kind anymore. Saf-T-Side accomplishes so many things that
I expect to be using it for most everything when I feel the need to do
“something” not water related."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;">The main point is that if you
are producing beautiful roses with what you are doing, keep doing it!</span><span style="color: red;">
Conditions in Central Florida are very different from other places, so
many
pests/diseases manifest themselves differently here than in other areas. Take what I say and then do some homework on the internet, and then do
what your gut tells you for your micro-environment that makes you comfortable. Roses aren't rocket science, but sometimes for me it can seem that way until I get my sea-legs on some new aspect. At any rate in this age of widely available information there's no reason to be confused <i>and</i> alone. We're all in this together.</span></div>
sherryocalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06367991971551038582noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7928880599026491390.post-19555806058621284612013-02-01T09:47:00.000-08:002013-02-02T10:14:35.609-08:00Bungee bling<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DuUcRcy9wRY/UQv3zEWo9PI/AAAAAAAAJec/rAMqiQwn7Fs/s1600-h/IMG_0146%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0146" border="0" height="644" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oo07XRs4YpY/UQv3zzEMHGI/AAAAAAAAJek/XpKL1E_fTNk/IMG_0146_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0146" width="409" /></a><br />
<br />
I took this photo last year on March 31st, intending to post it on this blog to show the get-up I had devised for disbudding and disposing of thrips-infested rose blooms. Turned out to be just too devastating to my fragile self-image, so I never used it. The season of thrips (the word is both singular and plural) is approaching again, and, apparently, they are a problem for gardeners everywhere both for ornamentals and veggies. The topic came up this week on The Roses Forum. It’s a very serious subject, but when I posted this photo last night, it evoked some good laughs. I’m going to quote here extensively from that thread.<br />
<br />
The original poster, kpfl81 from Arkansas, was inquiring about the use of beneficial nematodes in battling flower thrips in her roses. She shared the results of her previous efforts to control the pests, as follows:<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
1. Tried insecticidal soaps & neem oil -- hardly any effect. <br />
2. Bifenthrin & imidacloprid - marginal results. <br />
3. Spinosad -- marginal. <br />
4. Orthene -- this works; however, I have to apply almost every five days in order to keep the scoundrels down. At that rate, I start worrying about the health of the roses. Additionally, the Orthene smells so foul. </blockquote>
<br />
<br />
After reading the comments that followed I decided that I needed to get on the stick to be prepared for the onslaught that will come to my garden in late March/early April. I did some research online, prepared to buy the nematodes. Found out it's expensive to ship, and since most of the thrips are on leaves, the soil treatment is not very effective. Apparently, in Florida they love oak leaves, and I am surrounded by oak trees. I had already bought the spinosad concentrate on my recent trip to Grower’s Fertilizer. It’s equivalent to Monterey spray (5% concentration), so that's what I will use, spraying the whole bush especially the undersides of leaves. There is also a <a href="http://www.fertilome.com/product.aspx?pid=040d0f7c-b636-4dda-81d9-867e3a96ed9a">Fertilome product</a> that contains spinosad. It works because the thrips feed on the leaves as well as on contact. It is safe for bees once it is dry in a few hours. It is toxic to bees when wet, so they say to spray in the late evening or early morning when bees are not around, and I don't intend to get it on open flowers or on the flowers of companion plants. Meredith in NC “does it at night and also pulls off all the open flowers on the sages, etc. under the sprayed rose.” Spinosad loses its toxicity after 8 to 24 hours and so it may be necessary to reapply a few days later if new larva hatch.<br />
<br />
<br />
I do not spray chemicals so this is a big deal for me. For the last two years I have been disbudding and deadheading the whole garden once I see that the thrips are here which did stop the repeated generations. My understanding is that the adult thrips inject their eggs into tiny, new flower buds where they grow and feed on the flower, damaging the flower at the very least and at worst preventing the flower from opening, called balling. Hopefully, killing the adults before they can accomplish this injection will protect the flowers. Typically, thrips favor light-colored roses, but last year red roses were effected. ‘Louis Philippe’ was decimated, even ‘Mrs B R Cant’ which in previous years was not bothered. Most of my roses are light colored & pastels. Not only is it disheartening to remove the whole spring flush which is the best of the year, but it is painful, backbreaking work. I look like a cotton-picker with the trash bag (taped to a large-mouth jug with the bottom cut off) tied to my waist, as shown in the photo. It usually takes two or three bags to get the job done, and when they're full, they're heavy. So I'm going to try the spinosad. I'm told that the thrips are here year-round, but April is their big breeding time. The rest of the year isn't bad, but it does explain why my blooms are never quite perfect with their brown-tinged edges.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b> <span style="color: red;">** </span> </b><span style="color: red;"><b>2/2/2013 - My Plan has been revised.</b> Thanks to a very accomplished rosey friend I have new information on
dealing with flower thrips that I need to include in this post. She
suggested <a href="http://rosecare1.stores.yahoo.net/peo01-5.html">Saf-T-Side horticultural oil</a>.
She uses it to keep the thrips population under
control and says it's cheap, doesn't burn except in the hottest summer
temps, and is very
friendly to beneficials. I did some investigating myself last night and
found that she's right, of course. I wondered why such an easy,
non-toxic remedy wasn't mentioned anywhere else in my searches for an
answer to thrips - or maybe I was only looking at the chemical remedies.
You can read about it <a href="https://insects.tamu.edu/extension/publications/epubs/e-419.cfm">HERE</a>.
As I was thinking about it last night, I became concerned about getting
the spray on flowers because the oil damages them, and the whole point
of spraying anything is to prevent damage to the blooms. Then I
considered the timing. In two or three weeks I will prune (though not
all of the bushes get pruned), so they will not have flowers or even much foliage on them. (Hmm, I'm recalling
Dr. Malcolm Manners' practice of stripping leaves on <u>all</u> of his roses
at pruning time.) The roses will be leafing out and setting flower buds
during the weeks after that, and that's when the thrips arrive - just in
time to hit all that tender new growth. I think <i>that </i>will be the time to spray the Saf-T-Side. There doesn't seem to be much difference to me between the Saf-T-Side and the spinosad except in their toxicity to bees which probably amounts to a huge difference ecologically. This spraying business is definitely a reach for my inexperienced brain. Gardening is surprisingly full of new experiences, and I'm trying not to lead you all down the wrong path - again. The main point is that if you are producing beautiful roses with what you are doing, keep doing it! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"> </span> <br />
According to Wikipedia, “<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinosad">Spinosad</a> is considered a natural product, and thus is approved for use in organic agriculture by numerous nations. Two other uses for Spinosad are for pets and humans… Brand names include Comfortis and Trifexis® …both brands treat adult fleas on pets.” Here’s another <a href="http://www.hort.uconn.edu/ipm/general/htms/spinosad.htm">good article</a> from the University of Connecticut. <br />
<br />
Imidacloprid also works (it's in the Bayer drench), but it is systemic and kills bees because it gets in the pollen. REALLY, YOU SHOULD NOT USE IT (and other systemics) for the sake of the bees. The spinosad is also effective against grasshoppers and other bugs that chew on your leaves. <br />
<br />
There is another product called "blue sticky thrips traps" that is available online. The thrips are actually attracted to the color blue. The sticky strips really are more of an early warning system than a cure. They clearly declare, “They’re baaack.” I'm also going to make my own "blue sticky traps" out of the large blue plastic drinking cups coated with vaseline and hang them throughout the garden. Lovely. Last year I used some kind of automotive lubricant (forgot the name) which was nasty to apply, but the vaseline will be much easier. <br />
<br />
In learning how to grow roses organically I have become convinced that insecticides are a double-edged sword that can produce unintended bad results. For instance, using insecticides against spider mites produces worse infestations because they kill the beneficials that would have handled the mites had the gardener used a hard water spray and awaited their arrival. Something that we don’t realize sometimes is that insecticides kill ALL insects. ‘Broad spectrum’ is the term that’s used. Since there are beneficial insects called predators that gardeners want to encourage to inhabit their gardens, it is absolutely counter-productive to spray these broad-spectrum insecticides. And perhaps you’ve heard of the devastation to bee populations in recent years. As far as I'm concerned, the bees are a protected species and are welcome, friendly guests in my garden. I love listening to their buzzing as I go about my work in the garden. <i><b>So let's be safe out there and kind to our beneficial bug friends. </b></i><br />
<br />
My afore-mentioned laughs came from Merlcat’s response to my photo which I must include: <br />
<blockquote>
It's the bungee that pulls the outfit together. <br />
Bungee bling?! :) <br />
All jokes aside. I love this picture. This is how beautiful gardens are made. Getting dirty and wearing garbage bags and bungees! :)<br />
<br /></blockquote>
<br />
Aren’t gardeners wonderful?!<br />
<br />
<br />
To read the entire thread on GardenWeb's Roses Forum, go <a href="http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/roses/msg0111085831444.html?13">HERE</a>.</div>
sherryocalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06367991971551038582noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7928880599026491390.post-88756151080705673192013-01-31T12:42:00.001-08:002013-01-31T12:42:09.820-08:00Some glamour shots<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The thing about glamour shots is that they are tight, zoomed-in shots that mostly <i><b>exclude</b></i>. I suppose every gardener dreams of <i>whole garden</i> glamour shots. Someday – maybe this spring, I hope – mine will be <i>wide</i><b>,</b> all-inclusive ones. The very thought of it makes my heart skip. However, now in the dead of winter I only have small spots of glamour scattered around the garden. I always fear that tight shots give a false impression of my garden, and that if someone actually strolled through it after seeing a post like this, they’d think I had lied and wonder where all those beautiful roses are. Well, they’re there – a couple on this bush, one on that bush, mostly few and far between, but their scarcity only makes them more precious and makes me all the more impressed with a rose that can produce such beauty when all around it others are sleeping. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HDpm5fMLByg/UQqzPwMk0MI/AAAAAAAAJXE/rOsWoOK2lS0/s1600-h/IMG_8528%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8528" border="0" height="544" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tZiQ-VqJcPA/UQqzQhDaQyI/AAAAAAAAJXM/60v9yeL_wnk/IMG_8528_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8528" width="389" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.4052.1">'Maggie' </a>is coming into her own a year after being planted as a tiny rooted cutting. The cane that holds this bouquet is about 3-1/2 feet tall and vertical. Her flowers have no white or light pink in them. Unfortunately, the coloring in this photo is a figment of my camera's imagination, and I can't correct it, but this is her first such bloom cluster and I simply <i>must</i> post it. She is fastastically fragrant, too. Can't wait to see her growth this year.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3pNxvG8feus/UQqzRSMBhzI/AAAAAAAAJXU/PrpjMV-igsw/s1600-h/IMG_8531%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8531" border="0" height="511" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--SyrGTNjN58/UQqzSAZyBeI/AAAAAAAAJXc/rvsqhPrIG0o/IMG_8531_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8531" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The femme fatale of my garden is, of course, <a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.2435.2">'Souvenir de la Malmaison' </a>. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hzx4vbQoL_4/UQqzTA-ZcwI/AAAAAAAAJXk/BlSBiU8WTQw/s1600-h/IMG_8532%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8532" border="0" height="476" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4rEmIYJ8g5c/UQqzUE8ilWI/AAAAAAAAJXs/eI3NSRrag7M/IMG_8532_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8532" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SDLM cycles quickly from flush to flush, and I wouldn't be without her even if her ugly stage does at times tempt me to reduce her numbers from three to two or maybe even one. The ugly stage only lasts a matter of days, so I buck up and wait for the beauty to reappear almost magically. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FGQqAAt9ZPo/UQqzUxjLyJI/AAAAAAAAJX0/7Gp0KxfqHvA/s1600-h/IMG_8533%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8533" border="0" height="612" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vtELRfiKIt4/UQqzVd7M1jI/AAAAAAAAJX8/JHVeNmQiufc/IMG_8533_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8533" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When she re-clothes herself with deep green foliage and her big, round buds appear everywhere, I say to myself, "See! What were you thinking?"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zQbB3ViGtOQ/UQqzWXCvmuI/AAAAAAAAJYE/wCpfx1DoThc/s1600-h/IMG_8538%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8538" border="0" height="481" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-q69Q6b8pGaI/UQqzXKKEfjI/AAAAAAAAJYM/V9Im2YTDc18/IMG_8538_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8538" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.3775">'Le Vesuve'</a> is definitely struggling with her health, and unfortunately, this gardener hasn't much of a clue as to why, but she has two blooms on her now. Somehow I managed to get the setting sun behind me in this photo. I can't figure out where the reflection is coming from.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ehe8rl-zPfI/UQqzX2jKLKI/AAAAAAAAJYU/9GkYHi28jm0/s1600-h/IMG_8539%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8539" border="0" height="351" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bxNYm9w-cLg/UQqzYSCmyPI/AAAAAAAAJYc/yckS3oJFdN4/IMG_8539_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8539" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's 'Maggie' again. Her color is a deeper crimson than in this photo..</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-epQEC9S5lLA/UQqzZG98f1I/AAAAAAAAJYk/JzLdNeEO9Qw/s1600-h/IMG_8542%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8542" border="0" height="669" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-es9KAagAxZ8/UQqzZzrba9I/AAAAAAAAJYs/3TAW4YMbpF0/IMG_8542_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8542" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a great pic of<a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.1230"> 'Clotilde Soupert</a>', the bush. These all-white blooms are more summer-like and a little puzzling. Since her foliage is a bit yellowish perhaps she's showing her need for food. She's trying to flush with our recent warm weather, and I just don't think she's got enough energy to pull it off. Soon I'll be pruning her and the January feeding will be kicking in and she'll be off to the races. Of course, I could be totally wrong in my analysis - just guessing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dscixT_to0g/UQqzbJsjyyI/AAAAAAAAJY0/1uMbAUYL7Rw/s1600-h/IMG_8548%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8548" border="0" height="449" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6QQ5858rzGI/UQqzb3Y3JHI/AAAAAAAAJY8/_bvAC6R-Gl4/IMG_8548_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8548" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now here's <a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.1231">'Clotilde Soupert, Climbing'</a> showing us more typical cool-weather blooms. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-t8ngqxIG6ak/UQqzco7DZPI/AAAAAAAAJZE/J4xlZJli-Bk/s1600-h/IMG_8550%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8550" border="0" height="609" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_j1TKcqUbHOzjedK7pr9W38HE9gyk-eYEpGJD7rLCXWHEzQqAopIx3R4b9jFePPEjGSdZfnRPxBGr6F5IPlB5Rd1SKcNZGMkGA33pKoGRDjOzNM0lpm8_E0FEXnopEbAKUxjtvNPHwOV/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8550" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another cluster of Climbing CS. So fragrant as well as beautiful. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZYPxrasx95w/UQqzeXsXQdI/AAAAAAAAJZU/YUPbvEX3ZE0/s1600-h/IMG_8552%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8552" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wtroEKPQcSw/UQqzfBW9oAI/AAAAAAAAJZc/7G38WZ3tSSM/IMG_8552_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8552" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.1890">'Hermosa'</a> is a great small bush, only reaching about 3-1/2 feet tall and a couple of feet wide in my garden. I have three of them planted together. In the spring they are continuously covered with pepto pink flowers and are quite breathtaking. They have a peppery sweet fragrance courtesy of their China heritage.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zVE6xvtHGbw/UQqzf-_09_I/AAAAAAAAJZk/oJ3dN_dCfog/s1600-h/IMG_8556%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8556" border="0" height="556" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fRUGS7iC7kE/UQqzgvLTmVI/AAAAAAAAJZs/fKieZq6x-DI/IMG_8556_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8556" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.3964">'Madame Abel Chatenay'</a> surprisingly has a single bloom on her nearly naked body and one bud. I thought I would be pruning bare canes, but she is leafing out a little. You can see why she's my Belle of the Ball.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_zFdHJo5gnU/UQqzha9QE9I/AAAAAAAAJZ0/iqosBj6aSQQ/s1600-h/IMG_8557%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8557" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-w_JlHRljBzE/UQqzh8N2maI/AAAAAAAAJZ8/W86aH4Rm73E/IMG_8557_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8557" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had to snap this pic of the first bud of <a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.574"> 'Belinda's Dream'</a>. Fuzzy focus in the waning light but exciting nonetheless.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-D2KC_fjC8qw/UQqzi7ViKcI/AAAAAAAAJaE/tbak7L34Cqg/s1600-h/IMG_8561%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8561" border="0" height="401" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cPJ-FCMjfvI/UQqzjhmTtBI/AAAAAAAAJaM/NDxZrAkI_jo/IMG_8561_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8561" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Talk about exciting!!<a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.574"> 'Rosette Delizy' </a>is giving me palpatations. Planted last November, I think, she is really filling out and has lots of flower buds on the tips of her new canes. She's between Maggie and Madame Lombard, so I think her yellow/carmine pink combination will be lovely in this part of the front garden especially with yellow daylily 'Sherry Lane Carr' very nearby.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ixVgMlj3WTo/UQqzkWmzE8I/AAAAAAAAJaU/Y-fd58O88Xc/s1600-h/IMG_8567%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8567" border="0" height="604" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NysdPF7Fve4/UQqzlOuwvgI/AAAAAAAAJac/uUvLezgRoDY/IMG_8567_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8567" width="404" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a tall shot of the lower part of 'Clotilde Soupert, Climbing'. I like the way she blooms in the middle of herself and not just at the ends. She's only a couple of years old, so her blooming will only get better. I wonder what her spring flush will look like.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fetCs-_D-J8/UQqzmYydD-I/AAAAAAAAJak/RhuiPHkE9Z8/s1600-h/IMG_8568%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8568" border="0" height="548" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5qdjNWig7po/UQqznK5-0AI/AAAAAAAAJas/UKAjIVeFKNc/IMG_8568_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8568" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Granted it's not really black spot season, but I am so pleased with <a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/gardening/l.php?l=2.35675">'Hot Cocoa'</a>. Being a grafted rose and an older plant than my typical own-root bands is making for some unexpected instant gratification. She's shooting up a nice, strong cane already.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-p6h7pQ4TE3U/UQqzoDtG9bI/AAAAAAAAJa0/3k9rIThbgK4/s1600-h/IMG_8569%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8569" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Z3-bkvO5N-E/UQqzon2VSNI/AAAAAAAAJa8/nboXZg3hgO0/IMG_8569_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8569" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lovely<a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.4302"> 'Mrs B R Cant</a>' is actually a deeper raspberry than she appears here. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7Dfr9VrlGio/UQqzp4Rp6aI/AAAAAAAAJbE/QBbJhkPqg3c/s1600-h/IMG_8577%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8577" border="0" height="452" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZfP2fCJHXaA/UQqzq1EOP_I/AAAAAAAAJbM/-vl8dcSiZkE/IMG_8577_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8577" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/gardening/l.php?l=2.37467.2">'Bolero 2004'</a> is one of my new $7 grafted modern roses that I got at Lowe's. Several flower buds offer more instant gratification if they survive the rest of our winter.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RsjrEAvjqdI/UQqzr_D4sFI/AAAAAAAAJbU/SnIX42vGaOs/s1600-h/IMG_8575%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8575" border="0" height="544" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9EZV-znW3eM/UQqzssb2OaI/AAAAAAAAJbc/MurAuVNtJPc/IMG_8575_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8575" width="501" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This rose may or may not be a mistake on the gardener's part. First of all, she is a bareroot grafted rose ($5.98 at Home Depot) that had already broken dormancy and was sprouting new canes which I thought was a good thing. Upon further education on the subject, I learned it may not be "productive growth", but I'm not sure what that means exactly. I bought this <a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.4749">'Perfume Delight'</a> fragrant Hybrid Tea in my recent mini buying-binge of cheap fragrant modern roses, and I think <a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.4838">'Pink Peace'</a> might have been a better choice, disease-wise. But I didn't want to just throw her away, so off we go on our adventure together. She's in a pot because there's no more ground available.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JFOlVqDPSWw/UQqztiEECgI/AAAAAAAAJbk/P3zgKNiUMdc/s1600-h/IMG_8582%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8582" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QW4gaT10k4g/UQqzuY9KGJI/AAAAAAAAJbs/6QUIS-qgA14/IMG_8582_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8582" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So I'm just going to sit back and watch what happens. Basically, "new growth" is always a good thing - in the plant and in the gardener who is spreading her wings beyond OGRs at least a for a little while. Feels like a Star Trek episode - boldly going where no man has gone before.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-X6nneYozwys/UQqzvrzkYmI/AAAAAAAAJb0/OAH6x_3TnLw/s1600-h/IMG_8578%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8578" border="0" height="412" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-H5S4aplOmPw/UQqzwjGOdcI/AAAAAAAAJb8/Z3YfSaMLXek/IMG_8578_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8578" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is<a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.3237"> 'Heirloom'</a>, a bareroot from Aldi that to this novice seems to be a better quality plant than the Home Depot rose with more canes, less wax and no growth at time of purchase. It was inside in air conditioning whereas Home Depot's were outside under shade cloth. This new modern bed is the former fish pond. Two whites (Bolero 2004 and Pope John Paul II) and the deep lavender Heirloom will be pretty together with daylilies and a purply 'Le Baron' dahlia.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qadmys8tato/UQqzx2eofgI/AAAAAAAAJcE/QztNdRMXg44/s1600-h/IMG_8579%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8579" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-L90XVSumG04/UQqzyra4eMI/AAAAAAAAJcM/vN6z0Lppwsg/IMG_8579_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8579" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The winter shadow cast by the house is slowly moving closer to the house. Eventually, it will move several feet to the left of this photo with only two or three feet of shadow remaining and a sun-drenched patio. The cool shade is nice, but the spring sun's arrival will be most welcome.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZMhHkIjMup8/UQqz0RUc11I/AAAAAAAAJcU/NabrxjxpAvE/s1600-h/IMG_8580%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8580" border="0" height="436" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Oi76QtH1Dug/UQqz1NpYsII/AAAAAAAAJcc/mnVZDFH46zE/IMG_8580_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8580" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I so enjoy this side of the back garden, but it seems it is forever in transition. There are three new roses in the bed along the fence - 'Vanity', 'The Charlatan' and 'Moondance', and poor 'Alexander Hill Gray' took a near-death spiral after I moved him a few feet last November. He's finally coming around. 'Duchesse de'Auerstadt' is on the arbor on the left with clematis 'Venosa Violacea' and 'General Gallieni' is at the far right. 'Pat Austin' still resides in the clay pot, not doing much but noticeably more vertical recently. Photos always look like an indistinct jumble, but here it is anyway.</td></tr>
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My blogging seems to have shifted to midday. Seems like I should be <i>outside </i>in the garden not inside on the computer, so that’s where I’m headed now. It’s time to get out the 8-foot ladder and the long grabber, because the climbers all need to be tied up again. Oh, joy! One of my least favorite tasks that I always procrastinate on and that always seems to come un-done and need to be redone - <strike>sort of like cleaning the toilet and about as enjoyable. </strike>That's no way to end a blo<strike>g</strike> post, is it? Okay, attitude adjustment coming. Gardening isn't all pretty flowers and peaceful strolling. There is also strenuous work involved which I accept easily on the ground, but eight feet in the air is another animal altogether. Suck it up, woman, and get to it. When it's done, you'll love it!!</div>
sherryocalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06367991971551038582noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7928880599026491390.post-15638990186641637122013-01-27T12:03:00.000-08:002013-01-27T12:03:54.577-08:00Video time<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Whether it's from growing up in the television age or just the way my brain is wired, I seem to learn from watching. Let me watch you <b>do</b> a thing, and I will be able to repeat it on my own. So how-to videos on YouTube are priceless and free, to boot. Also, meeting people who know roses on video whom I will likely never get to meet in person is a real opportunity to glean from the experts. This morning I stumbled across a video which lead to another and another. You know how that goes. So I thought I'd list the ones I really liked here so you could simply click away. It proves the old adage that learning can be fun, so let's get teachable.<br />
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This first one by Paul Zimmerman is about planting roses in shadier locations. Really?<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3B8DkGw8c0">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3B8DkGw8c0</a><br />
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Terry Reilly of the San Jose Rose Garden shows how to plant a bareroot rose for optimal bloom.<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3B8DkGw8c0">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3B8DkGw8c0</a><br />
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A surprising method of pruning Drift roses by Steve Hutton of Conard-Pyle Roses.<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fCD3L8AAWc&list=UUEd0UPicjMLHANuS5UDKvxA">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fCD3L8AAWc&list=UUEd0UPicjMLHANuS5UDKvxA</a><br />
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Steve Hutton of Conard Roses and Alain Meilland of the House of Meilland, rose breeders for 150 years, discuss the evolution of the rose.<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=6JibSngrPHo&NR=1">http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=6JibSngrPHo&NR=1</a><br />
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A series of four videos with Alain Meilland and Jacques Ferare as they walk through the rose fields discussing their roses.<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZOmndj9iD4">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZOmndj9iD4</a><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=UnwuBZNlvaM&NR=1">http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=UnwuBZNlvaM&NR=1</a><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXHgib_ElSA&feature=endscreen&NR=1">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXHgib_ElSA&feature=endscreen&NR=1</a><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=17meRmZvT5M&NR=1">http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=17meRmZvT5M&NR=1</a><br />
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Alain Meilland's father introduced the 'Peace' rose in 1935. Very interesting,<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=6JibSngrPHo&NR=1">http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=6JibSngrPHo&NR=1</a><br />
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They weren't just kidding when they called this one "A Little Bit of Paradise".<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=fvwp&v=0q2gpG-MHLE&NR=1">http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=fvwp&v=0q2gpG-MHLE&NR=1</a><br />
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A different take on roses for arbors by Paul Zimmerman.<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkyqAJKEA8w">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkyqAJKEA8w</a><br />
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Do climbing roses scare you? Paul Zimmerman takes the mystery - and the fear - out of dealing with climbers.<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rf7F5qhChFM">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rf7F5qhChFM</a><br />
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Knock Outs are vigorous roses, to say the least. Here's a good look at taming them with a late winter/early spring pruning.<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_192COm58qE">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_192COm58qE</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOL-jXLkg7N_-Szvy8IMIe-sP6CA3_NM99fN69arFPiweO_U2zxAc5QTQdCigWvGn0O_eeWltut_xd-O-ox26QIoN9xicCu2qqvCrj2t5bnNp_CuakdRm3fbVWGhyphenhyphen-Eb2S9RvsZNYWFk6/s1600/IMG_8388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOL-jXLkg7N_-Szvy8IMIe-sP6CA3_NM99fN69arFPiweO_U2zxAc5QTQdCigWvGn0O_eeWltut_xd-O-ox26QIoN9xicCu2qqvCrj2t5bnNp_CuakdRm3fbVWGhyphenhyphen-Eb2S9RvsZNYWFk6/s640/IMG_8388.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A winter rose garden in Florida takes some getting used to for this Floridian. Admittedly, it doesn't look as bad as the post-hard freeze garden, but my vision is still colored by what is coming so the actual view is more tolerable. Mine has been through only a couple of nights of 32 degrees (quite unusual) several weeks apart, so there are only a sprinkling of blooms and the greenery is less. Some roses are in desperate need of pruning, but that must wait until the freezes are past. The last freeze was a couple of weeks ago, I think, and temps have stayed in the 70's during the day since then, so the roses think it's spring and are sending out new growth like crazy. 'Mme Lombard' has three basal breaks coming out of the ground!! Oh, joy! The teas are suckers for this weather. Being evergreen, they are growing machines, and my heartbreak will be huge when the hard freezes come during the next month or so - and they <b>will</b> come. I've got the gardens tidied up pretty well. New things are planted, and this week the plan is to go get the composted horse manure, spread it and then the wood chip mulch. I'll be cleaning out the shed, too. This weather has been glorious!!</td></tr>
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So whether your roses are the virtual kind this winter or the kind you actually walk among, enjoy your gardens!!<br />
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sherryocalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06367991971551038582noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7928880599026491390.post-57866949943164654042013-01-21T18:39:00.000-08:002013-01-21T18:39:33.689-08:00January feeding<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Our rose society’s award-winning newsletter, <i>Rose Rambler</i>, offers great articles and practical information every month from September through May, a definite perk that comes with membership. One of the most useful pages is the monthly check list. It’s a neat reminder of what should be done in the garden in the next month. All I can say is that’s it’s a good thing I retired because I have never <b>had time </b>to read them <b>in time</b> for them to be useful – until this month! I did not know that “many rosarians recommend applying organics <b>in January</b> so they can be broken down by microbes and become available to the plant in early spring.” (Don’t forget, since spring comes earlier here, this timing is specific to Florida.) So I’ve been doing it wrong or at least not optimally because in previous years I have applied my organics around the end of February or early March when I was spreading horse manure compost and mulch. Last year I did manage to read one item on the check list. “Apply 1/2 cup of Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) per medium bush 30 days prior to pruning.” So this year I was prepared to get an early start.<br />
<br />
Since feeding time is upon me, last Thursday I took a rather long ride to Newberry to Growers Fertilizer Corp., because they sell their own sewage sludge for $6.13 for 40 pounds. That’s called <b>half price</b> compared to Milorganite!! That made the trip worthwhile, and I bought 10 bags which hopefully should last a few years. I also got 50 pounds of Epsom salts which I applied on Friday. This year I don’t have access to my usual Purely Organic Rose Food, since I finally ran out of my stash, and I figured what was available at Lowe’s, Rose-Tone, would be more expensive than I wanted, but the only organics that Growers had was cottonseed meal (50 lb for $30). This made me decide to make my own “complete food”. I bought the cottonseed meal and went online to find a recipe. Here it is.<br />
<br />
Use equal parts of:<br />
<br />
Alfalfa Meal – NPK 2-1-2<br />
Fish Meal - NPK 10-6-2<br />
<span style="color: red;">Cottonseed Meal – NPK 6-.4-1.5</span><br />
Blood Meal – NPK 12-0-0<br />
<span style="color: red;">Bone Meal – NPK 3-15-0</span><br />
Sludge – NPK 5-3-0<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aUfkeqPtEDc/UP3ywJo4YOI/AAAAAAAAJUU/S4V3bOUYIJ0/s1600-h/IMG_8314%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8314" border="0" height="761" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bsbcS-55ZAg/UP3yxLqWDOI/AAAAAAAAJUc/62nEYqOTqgw/IMG_8314_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8314" width="644" /></a><br />
<br />
Naturally, there were problems with this recipe. First, I couldn’t find alfalfa meal, only the usual pellets, and I opted to wait until after pruning to apply them. Soybean meal is an option, too, but I couldn't find that either. Also, couldn’t find fish meal, but I did find a smallish bag of <span style="color: black;">Kelp Meal</span> at Seminole Feed. It’s a good source of trace minerals, and roses love seaweed. I also opted to not include the blood meal and sludge at this time because they are immediately available to the plants, and I don’t want them growing yet – anymore than they already are anyway. The weatherman says we’ll have 32 degrees tomorrow night, and certainly more freezes and harder freezes are coming. I also added sulfur and greensand to the mix. Sulfur not only lowers pH, but it also <span style="color: red;">Greensand</span> is slow-acting potassium, and I was ecstatic to find it at Seminole.<br />
<br />
So in a 5-gallon bucket I added 4 cups each of the <span style="color: red;">red</span> items and 1/2 cup each of the kelp meal and <span style="color: black;">sulfur</span> (which was a total guess on my part) and mixed them thoroughly. <i>(I'll probably put the rest of the kelp meal in the fish hydrolysate that I'm going to make that I learned about in another Rose Rambler article this month. No more bottled fish emulsion!)</i> I repeated this three more times to fill the bucket as full as I could carry it. It turned out I used four buckets (plus a little) to feed all the roses, daylilies and about two-thirds of the azaleas. I still have more left of all the ingredients. Since the Purely Organic used to cost $25 for a 50-lb bag and I needed 2 bags, I probably didn’t save much if any money doing it this way, but I had no choice and I’m happy.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gwIXXGmwx0Y/UP3yx3AsPJI/AAAAAAAAJUk/3o1Vyp5hecI/s1600-h/IMG_8316%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8316" border="0" height="359" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JCK9ZXHDQrM/UP3yynnHEiI/AAAAAAAAJUs/MRQ09b9yR5A/IMG_8316_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8316" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">50 Pounds of Epsom salts and 400 pounds of sewage sludge - oh, goodie!</td></tr>
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It’s not as critical to scratch organics into the soil as it is for chemicals because the microbes manage to find them as long as they’re touching soil, but it is advisable to water everything afterwards. Since my back hates scratching it in anyway, I kill two birds with one stone with a hard stream of water from the hose. I just have to be careful not to obliterate any delicate plants in the process with my bad aim. I did good today – everything got mixed, applied and watered in and no plants were blasted apart...<b>and</b> DH took me out for Chinese!<br />
<br />
As I moved along, I dug up a few Purple Coneflowers that were invading the space of some roses. (I told you they’re thugs, didn’t I? Beautiful, but they don’t play nice in this small garden especially when planted by the dozen.) Then I noticed that one of my two ‘Fred Ham’ daylilies had gotten huge and was too big for its space. How convenient that I had just taken out a coneflower on the other side of <a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.3964">‘Madame Abel Chatenay’</a> from ‘Fred Ham’. So I split off two big fans from Fred and planted them in the newly vacant spot on the other side of MAC. I’m so pleased that I’ll have twice as many of these large, gorgeous daylily blooms this year.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-idieWpQ8QxU/UP3yzMzGJUI/AAAAAAAAJU0/lsbix8HOThI/s1600-h/IMG_9604%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_9604" border="0" height="604" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9FwUX4o-AsM/UP3yz0jjVfI/AAAAAAAAJU8/81-xC4g-8ec/IMG_9604_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_9604" width="486" /></a><br />
By way of follow-up I think I told you that I had bought a bareroot rose, <a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.3237">‘Heirloom’</a>, at Aldi the other day after I had bought a grafted <a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/gardening/l.php?l=2.35675">‘Hot Cocoa’</a> at Lowe’s. Well, the modern-rose bug has given me an awful bite, and I’ve been scratching the itch. I checked both Aldi stores for more bareroots, but they were sold out. The other Lowe’s had no roses, so I hit my Lowe’s again on Sunday. I found two with labels, <a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.4469.1">‘New Zealand’</a> and <a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.40542">‘Moondance’</a>. Referring to Helpmefind.com on my trusty smartphone in the garden center, I discovered that both of these roses are described as “very disease resistant”. Now, one location’s very disease resistant rose may be another location’s black spot magnet, but what the heck, there aren’t that many very disease resistant modern roses out there, so I grabbed them. (Remember…I don’t spray fungicide.) For $7 each I got two beautiful, fragrant roses, albeit a bit bedraggled. I guess it’s true…if you buy them, space will appear, because I am finding places for them in the garden, either in the ground or in pots. On Sunday at the rose society meeting Annie said for $6 each she got Oklahoma, Mr. Lincoln and another fantastic hybrid tea rose (darn! what was the name?) at the Home Depot in…oh, gee, was it Crystal River? Well, wherever it was, keep your eyes peeled, folks. Roses are out their for the taking. With a little TLC they’ll make wonderful additions to your gardens. I know I’ll be out there looking. No self-control!!</div>
sherryocalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06367991971551038582noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7928880599026491390.post-63627282417893474812013-01-15T21:49:00.001-08:002013-01-15T21:49:59.749-08:00No more pond<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Is anyone else good at tangents? ...those things that take you off the what-should-be path and send you down the what-shouldn’t-be path? My brain is so capable of being switched-on to something with all the intensity of a nuclear blast. Have you ever tried to put a mushroom cloud back in the bottle? Blessedly, I only had to live with this tangent for two months instead of years and years.<br />
<br />
You see, maintenance isn’t my strong suit. You knew that, right? Around Christmas the pond went from clear on Sunday to tea-colored on Monday and then black on Tuesday. I could only see the fish if they were a few inches from the surface. Miss Clueless was dumbfounded. That’s the thing about tangents. There’s never a knowledge prerequisite.<br />
<br />
So Saturday I was going to fill it in, but then the goldfish were so cute so I tried to save the day. DH suggested the Shop-Vac to suck out the leaves. Then we put some one-inch foam and some quilt-batting in the tank to filter the water, but the vacuum only worked until the tank got full, so it was an on/off, on/off proposition that would likely take the rest of my life. Then I asked DH if the pump could be used to filter somehow. I know you know the answer to that question, but I have zero mechanical abilities. So I hooked up the pump appropriately. (No joking – I had to have him explain it three times. “Hook it up” just was not sufficient.)<br />
<br />
The batting was getting blacker and blacker, and by 2AM the fish were visible just below the ledge. I was excited and decided what I needed was a Bio-filter for $62 <b>and</b> the required vinyl tubing for $15 – $20 <b>and</b> a vacuum for $25 <b>if </b>I could find one with more than three stars that half the reviewers on Amazon didn’t hate, but I wasn’t settled on all of that so I didn’t pull the trigger. I did find two books that looked to be the perfect solution to my ignorance of fish and ponds, and I ordered them. <br />
<br />
Sunday morning I dashed out to see the clear water and the bottom of the pond. That didn’t happen. Visibility was still terrible even after filtering for 18 hours. I was dejected. I couldn’t get past the thought of killing the fish, so there was no decision on Sunday and no decision on Monday, but Tuesday was different. Different day, different tangent. I made the decision to go buy the bulk potting soil and fill ‘er up. Before I left I turned on the pump, and when I got back an hour later it was almost dry. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pWMa4N1wVs8/UPYw_tCTnYI/AAAAAAAAJRE/VYiAnhgVkW8/s1600-h/IMG_8301%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8301" border="0" height="383" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FMx_yCH4vHU/UPYxAn_AaUI/AAAAAAAAJRM/J67d4G0s_wY/IMG_8301_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8301" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's going to be my Hybrid Tea bed, my cutting bed. Well, la-de-da! Never had one of those before.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FBqP3FcmFJw/UPYxCRmaG7I/AAAAAAAAJRU/vYH4xLKGgtY/s1600-h/IMG_8305%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8305" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Mef3NGyhgh8/UPYxDzI0l0I/AAAAAAAAJRc/ZQK-irzbPGA/IMG_8305_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8305" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was at Aldi today. They had body-bags (bare-root roses so named because they're stuffed in plastic, and they're kind of a no-no especially in Florida and prone to failure because their root systems are chopped short) for $4.97, so I got <a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.3237&n=3237&tab=1">'Heirloom'</a> which I had been eyeing online, and it's soaking in water now. Possibly another tangent but I prefer experiment. Apparently, it gets bigger than I thought and may get some BS, so I'm going to plant it over by the post where the purple clematis is growing. Borrowed leaves are still leaves. I have hopes for the cuttings I got from the bouquets at the Festival of Roses. One is growing new shoots like crazy, and <a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.2463">'Sweet Juliet'</a>, <a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/gardening/l.php?l=2.844&tab=1">'Bride's Dream'</a>, and a couple others are doing well. They won't all fit, but I hope at least three will, and I have pots ready for the ones that don't fit.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kdLvJJULE0w/UPYxFRtlvJI/AAAAAAAAJRk/PK31Z1QhTu8/s1600-h/IMG_8306%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8306" border="0" height="428" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MDXo_klFrNo/UPYxGCMxR9I/AAAAAAAAJRs/Zgu70ZoM-zk/IMG_8306_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8306" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black dirt is indeed possible in Florida. You just have to truck it in. I threw on a bunch of Milorganite so the worms would hurry over, and then when I was cleaning up, I noticed two bags of Black Hen (chicken manure) that had been hanging around so long the plastic bags were disintegrating. So I threw them on. Well, not exactly. The former granules were now congealed into actual wet poo of a very solid consistency and stink-ee! Oh, my goodness! It was like tar, very hard to break up. If this turns out to be a very successful bed, I'll be using this stuff a lot.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PlqQ2SXvwH8/UPYxHqD6NNI/AAAAAAAAJR0/bw-sEmKHcUE/s1600-h/IMG_8184%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8184" border="0" height="555" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Bts03vZ4V8A/UPYxIXCzDOI/AAAAAAAAJR8/sezp2lvwBPk/IMG_8184_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8184" width="544" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now on to the pretty faces of <a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.1231">'Clotilde Soupert, Climbing'</a>. These blooms were quite large, almost 3 inches across.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-G1ICqSGNwR8/UPYxJSnyVRI/AAAAAAAAJSE/ejaA_r5tUoU/s1600-h/IMG_8185%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8185" border="0" height="598" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_B2RgNFTdQM/UPYxKm1qP5I/AAAAAAAAJSM/CJ_8E_l4BbE/IMG_8185_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8185" width="544" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Considering these were buds when we had a recent freeze, I'm amazed they're so gorgeous.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rMESvYmlgHs/UPYxLgA4lAI/AAAAAAAAJSU/lkJlunxi3p8/s1600-h/IMG_8186%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8186" border="0" height="610" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UCTHX07jSHQ/UPYxNb0gXnI/AAAAAAAAJSc/tSUuSRezcAo/IMG_8186_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8186" width="544" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And they're fragrant, too.</td></tr>
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<br />
When my work was done today (it only took four hours), I had the feeling I was back in my comfort zone, the place where I have the most control over what goes on. I’m comfortable with dirt. I know dirt. Dirt is good. </div>
sherryocalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06367991971551038582noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7928880599026491390.post-70858907749820518252013-01-10T21:55:00.000-08:002013-01-10T21:55:25.960-08:00Got dirty and sweaty today<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
But it was wonderful! The day was beautiful, sunny in the 80’s and nicely humid. I got a little sunburned since I was working in the front facing south and the sun was hot.<br />
<br />
A dear friend gave me a huge (maybe 10-gallon) <a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/gardening/l.php?l=2.574">‘Belinda’s Dream’ </a>last month. I took her home, because I dearly wanted her, but it seemed hopeless that I would be able to find a spot big enough for this girl. Or any spot really. The only possible spot I could think of was the one ‘Bow Bells’ is occupying, but it has a problem. It’s pretty shady. ‘Bow Bells’ handles it but doesn’t bloom a <b>whole</b> lot. So it was off to the Antique Roses Forum to ask my question. <a href="http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/rosesant/msg0111110026688.html?12">Should I choose to keep ‘Bow Bells’ or ‘Belinda’s Dream’?</a> I got really good information from these rosey friends but was still undecided.<br />
<br />
Then yesterday it hit me. I should keep <b>both</b>. The how was suddenly simple. I would put BD at the end of the bed next to the front sidewalk where the ‘Red Ruffles’ azalea is. I never put a rose there because it’s not as sunny as roses like. The sun doesn’t come up over the garage until at least 10 o’clock and it leaves behind the trees by 3 o’clock. (Correction: I believe I did have a rose there when I first planted this bed, but that rose is long gone.) In light of what my rosey friends had reported about their BD’s in shade I figured less sun would be a blessing in disguise. Four to five hours of sun would keep this rose smaller than she's capable of being, making her more comfortable in this six by six space, without much if any negative effect on bloom or disease. I was a happy gardener!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZiuPoxo32Jo/UO-anLsoE0I/AAAAAAAAJMk/g6hoFFMje9M/s1600-h/IMG_8134%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_8134" border="0" height="399" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qsKz05WbhVI/UO-aoTp8UzI/AAAAAAAAJMs/vRvHXeiZftY/IMG_8134_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8134" width="644" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Oxuye0LYxpw/UO-apoZB14I/AAAAAAAAJM0/qrcnDh6QUtg/s1600-h/IMG_7505%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7505" border="0" height="260" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-otQdo4qTt80/UO-aqDCE8cI/AAAAAAAAJM8/3uw3rmGWsOY/IMG_7505_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7505" width="324" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jmTphCR26AU/UO-arQCr7cI/AAAAAAAAJNE/Pf15S1d-IFQ/s1600-h/IMG_7511%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7511" border="0" height="265" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--u3lHmJIU-c/UO-asGbzOlI/AAAAAAAAJNM/SPjvGK-TCho/IMG_7511_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7511" width="324" /></a><br />
<br />
She was in bloom when I brought her home. Her blooms take my breathe away, and her fragrance is heavenly. Did I mention I’m really happy to have her?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2MGRz_7TuG0/UO-aud3b6PI/AAAAAAAAJNU/ZO-tx93gXb4/s1600-h/IMG_8131%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8131" border="0" height="484" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xJ5k72P8oK8/UO-avxP_rZI/AAAAAAAAJNc/eqh4eTfGzl8/IMG_8131_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8131" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know she's nearly invisible, but she's big - at least three feet tall. She was pretty leafy when I brought her home, but we've had a freeze in the meantime, and many of her leaves have dropped. And most of the rest are damaged and black spotted.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pf89rCMFiSo/UO-ax3axjCI/AAAAAAAAJNk/qf8-YrUG-F0/s1600-h/IMG_8133%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8133" border="0" height="460" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yGCw7ppE9e0/UO-ay7U3QBI/AAAAAAAAJNs/pSLe6qJphcY/IMG_8133_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8133" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The white blob is a rock that I paid $30 for. What can I say? In a state without normal rocks I have a thing for rocks. She has three feet of bed space to the left, rear and foreground, and more than that to her neighbor, 'Clotilde Soupert' to the right. I think she'll be fine. Eventually, BD will probably be five feet tall maybe more. I don't think the Walter's Viburnum to the right of her will be a problem, but I can move it a bit if it is.</td></tr>
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<br />
On Tuesday I was in the Lowe’s garden department. Very casually I made my way to the rose table. Expectations were low, but the sign I was hoping for was there - <b>$7.00.</b> I rummaged among the dozen or so non-Knock-Out roses, many unlabeled, realizing there wouldn’t be one there for me. They’re always modern roses, and more often than not modern roses don’t appreciate my no-spray garden. There were three or four seemingly identical plants, but only one was labeled. It was <a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/gardening/l.php?l=2.35675">‘Hot Cocoa’</a>. I met a couple there who were eyeing the roses, too. Kim and Derek and I chatted. Kim was admiring one of these plants on the other side of the table and was frustrated by the lack of a label. I told her it was probably ‘Hot Cocoa’ based on the one label. She was really taken with that rose, and why not? It was so healthy, had lots of leaves and lots of buds. Kind of rare for Lowe’s. I was so tempted by the rose I had latched onto, but finally, being the mature gardener that I am (<i>cough, gasp</i>), I put it back. Though I kind of remembered good things about this rose, my memory is not the most reliable friend to have. The next morning I looked up ‘Hot Cocoa’ on Helpmefind.com/roses. The words “very resistant” caught my eye, and I immediately got dressed and made a beeline for Lowe’s. The plant that I had been admiring was gone – probably to Kim and Derek’s garden, but I found one that made me very happy.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wkHbpUj5_1U/UO-a0KWZDNI/AAAAAAAAJN0/oEASuVGEh0s/s1600-h/IMG_8146%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8146" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AhLqb6UH1LU/UO-a1EgM0GI/AAAAAAAAJN8/XmWJCyvMAlg/IMG_8146_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8146" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now <b>that's </b>a $7 rose!! It may be grafted but I'm not sure. If it is grafted, the bud union was buried, and I buried it, too. So eventually it will go own-root.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nBq_j2RyUd8/UO-a2gsQP1I/AAAAAAAAJOE/f409djZQMsk/s1600-h/IMG_8135%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8135" border="0" height="407" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Qzej1NIzMTo/UO-a31aXuZI/AAAAAAAAJOM/BnoWaeLWZ8o/IMG_8135_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8135" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know you're wondering how I found room for this new rose. Well, of course, I booted another azalea. Not out of the garden though. They're both now residing at the back of the driveway bed. They were heavy buggers, even dragged on a tarp.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hhxsYAxkN4I/UO-a5Bn3EcI/AAAAAAAAJOU/n_YRVUmsNQs/s1600-h/IMG_8138%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8138" border="0" height="500" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-S5Tz6OX-Th4/UO-a5l3y7aI/AAAAAAAAJOc/jW578_YREOQ/IMG_8138_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8138" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo doesn't convey her odd color. Definitely unusual by the standards of <b>my</b> pastel garden but also unusual by other people's standards. However, the russet color is growing on me.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5KCtzpio6sQ/UO-a6hU5U6I/AAAAAAAAJOk/aG9TIomtWok/s1600-h/IMG_8139%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8139" border="0" height="281" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3bAiOe9RWlQ/UO-a7ad3mHI/AAAAAAAAJOs/idwFjRBy5e4/IMG_8139_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8139" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You know how much I love foliage.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uDWnck5rYD0/UO-a89eMcnI/AAAAAAAAJO0/uzMZWwxFnZU/s1600-h/IMG_8142%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8142" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Vo5dY_OFoW4/UO-a91HhwdI/AAAAAAAAJO8/P3VndLJGfus/IMG_8142_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8142" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's<a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/gardening/l.php?l=2.36919"> 'Quietness'</a> on the left of HC and to the right is Ellie's rose, <a href="http://www.helpmefind.com/gardening/l.php?l=2.5968.1">'Stephen's Big Purple'</a>. Not really visible, he's just a couple little sticks, but he does have a new leafset. I was beginning to get impatient for the swollen budeyes to do something. He gets no sun in winter because the sun is so low in the southern sky that the trees block it. 'Quietness' gets sun now and maybe 'Hot Cocoa' will, too.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jkK4e248fuA/UO-a_HXp34I/AAAAAAAAJPE/AW6VEkTlw3k/s1600-h/IMG_8144%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8144" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-y-ysI1UYKf4/UO-bACxajoI/AAAAAAAAJPM/7mJdk02f-z8/IMG_8144_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8144" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As I stood admiring the finished planting I realized that the daylilies that are between HC and SBP are russet-colored, too. I think the DL's and these roses will be a good combination. You may have noticed a good bit of sand in the bed. Not to worry. I amended the hole wide and deep, removing four buckets of builder's sand and adding bagged garden soil (I like Scott's soil for sod), fine pine bark, composted cow manure, sulfur in the bottom of the hole for my neutral native soil, alfalfa, milorganite, bone meal, 3 or 4 bananas and their peels fresh out of the freezer, and a complete organic rose food. Composted horse manure and mulch are coming soon.</td></tr>
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<br />
Today was such a satisfyingly wonderful day. It taught me a great lesson. Though the blues thrive while surfing the internet all day on my butt, they fly away and completely disappear after a day of working hard in a warm, sunny garden. I think I may be back on track. Whoopee!!!!!!!!!</div>
sherryocalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06367991971551038582noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7928880599026491390.post-71908961836696910562013-01-04T19:58:00.000-08:002013-01-04T19:58:35.382-08:00Free mulch<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Finally, the tree trimmers arrived this morning. The power company kept saying they were coming to trim the tree on our back property line that borders the power line easement that runs through the water retention area. I could never understand what threat it posed to those wires that are so high and so far away. Just so you know, the mention of power companies trimming trees sends chills up every spine in Ocala. Last year they butchered many large oaks growing in the wide median in East Silver Springs Boulevard. Incredibly horrifying!<br />
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So when DH said the power company was going to top and trim <b>my</b> ‘swing’ tree, I about had a cow. That was months ago, and I kept hoping that the day-glo orange paint spot they put on my tree would fade beyond recognition. A month or so ago the man came back and said it would happen later in the week. As nice as he was, he still didn’t convince me that it was necessary or that they would be gentle with my tree.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iyfEyC8fZ6U/UOeZU9q4mCI/AAAAAAAAJI4/FhR2OIzOqNU/s1600-h/IMG_8105%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8105" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ObA2Oha9tGI/UOeZV8JXp7I/AAAAAAAAJJA/BAxiDkPVKIk/IMG_8105_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8105" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first words to the tree guy were, "Are you going to be nice to my tree?" He said, yes, he wouldn't hurt the tree. The second thing I said was, "Can I have the wood chips?" He said yes. Whoopee!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EdaJqWjae7c/UOeZXQmb9uI/AAAAAAAAJJI/8sA8C-L1Q30/s1600-h/IMG_8042%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8042" border="0" height="604" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ce2cT0iwl1w/UOeZXwNWb5I/AAAAAAAAJJQ/jyvs1JSZMgM/IMG_8042_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8042" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He also said he would not be able to get as high as he needed to be to cut off all that the power company wanted him to cut off. He really was way up there with that pole saw.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhThc7eQ9zLfkdz9LbOrAdb9j7tkhbC_UoruQmDN9uwdBq9-c_cGLn5nLmzjyXIa7EFCKNBrM-Gk0aMtNhqCWAtAfLQEpfJEcgRKKsOOg_m8xMiuPWPK8V7r-eS8E3LhQo-8ZcD0sv28ppG/s1600-h/IMG_8044%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8044" border="0" height="415" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MXlpW101RxQ/UOeZaJofcvI/AAAAAAAAJJg/tPnuT8IDX5Q/IMG_8044_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8044" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I picked this lot because of that tree, instantly picturing a swing hanging from the sideways-growing part. Later the guy with the saw described the power company's aerial mapping and measuring (maybe not infrared but something techie like that). They do wind calculations and what happens if the wire swing this way in the wind while the tree falls that way into the wire. He said my tree would easily take down that wire which carries 250,000 volts. He said upon touching that wire my tree would instantly explode into 5,000 degree flames, destroying and electrifying everything under it and in the ground. Aww, there goes my swing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ir54REJCpBY/UOeZbYulPOI/AAAAAAAAJJo/_I-MJ8x_wgk/s1600-h/IMG_8049%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8049" border="0" height="553" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vN8SUFHLsrY/UOeZcc3pbKI/AAAAAAAAJJw/bVWzWpRTby4/IMG_8049_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8049" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I asked him what would happen to the house. He didn't answer me.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-B1vRXxG9ocM/UOeZdnbWcCI/AAAAAAAAJJ4/zZM8iQTZcrU/s1600-h/IMG_8055%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8055" border="0" height="361" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5L2aURotKSo/UOeZeYFwKJI/AAAAAAAAJKA/GHpvYggJrJ8/IMG_8055_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8055" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He said the tree needed to be cut in half really, because it definitely could fall into the wires. $1,000,000 cost per day for every day it takes to fix it. He's telling me this after he's done and on the ground, so I asked him why he didn't cut the tree back farther than he did. He said he couldn't reach it, and besides, it would kill the tree. The power company doesn't care if the tree dies. It's the homeowner's problem and cost to take the dead tree down which would be a couple thousand dollars for this tree. He left me with the thought that he hadn't taken enough out of the tree to keep the wind from pushing it over, but DH was watching from the porch and said he took a lot off the top. I guess I won't worry about it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-K5-KhZ7LhcM/UOeZf4IshNI/AAAAAAAAJKI/aj03weDE_fk/s1600-h/IMG_8077%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8077" border="0" height="385" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KPQxmzY5KKY/UOeZgkEc2WI/AAAAAAAAJKQ/28kTrsZvYG8/IMG_8077_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8077" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back her up, boys!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jFJRyspXGuE/UOeZh_93jSI/AAAAAAAAJKY/hj1j1aUGmHc/s1600-h/IMG_8085%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8085" border="0" height="449" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iQo4i4J2JrQ/UOeZi-CmLjI/AAAAAAAAJKg/5yw02HTbbIU/IMG_8085_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8085" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ahhh. Beautiful stuff.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-28VG5euG40I/UOeZkGq_03I/AAAAAAAAJKo/WNY9vZYabeI/s1600-h/IMG_8092%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_8092" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--CAeMBdV9eg/UOeZk_YL4NI/AAAAAAAAJKw/t0J3hFjX6Pk/IMG_8092_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_8092" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I could hear the roses getting all giggly.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now I need some composted horse manure to put down under the mulch.</div>
</div>
sherryocalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06367991971551038582noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7928880599026491390.post-34461110891268996242013-01-03T22:34:00.002-08:002013-01-03T22:34:56.732-08:00I am my Nana's legacy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span id="cleanprint_content">There is quite <a href="http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/rosesant/msg1202593810487.html?52">a romantic thread</a> on the Antique Roses Forum filled
with lovely idyllic memories of books and gardens and relatives from the
past that were the inspiration to garden for those who post there. When I started reading it recently, I got way far into it before I
realized it was started LAST December. I wondered why I didn't remember
it from back then. Then it hit me. I have no memories of storybooks and
poetry that lifted me to grand heights of gardening joy, so I didn't
comment. If ever a gardener was created in a vacuum, it was me. I feel
like my inspirations have come from looking through keyholes at
glamorous photos of Old Garden Rose blossoms on the internet and
incomprehensible seed catalogs and their exhilarating pictures. The
buxom, many-petaled roses swept me off my feet and took me captive,
commanding me to own them and make a place for them to grow and bloom.
Perhaps they triggered memories of the upholstery fabrics I loved that
were covered with cabbage roses in rich colors. </span><br />
<br />
<span id="cleanprint_content">My grandmother in
Alabama was a gardener - a humble, rustic one. She grew muscadines,
pears, and lots of flowers that were unknown to me when we came down
from Connecticut for two weeks in the summers back in the fifties. I
think she must have wondered about this little girl first-grandchild who
followed her everywhere and watched her every move, including making
those luscious biscuits with lard and buttermilk on an old bowed cookie
pan. She rimmed the front porch of her southern bungalow, built by my
grandfather a room at a time, with cinder blocks and made planters that
she filled with begonias and I don't know what. But the plants that
thrilled my soul were the huge and amazing blue snowball bushes at the
steps to the porch. Of course, hydrangea is the correct name, but wow!
they had a definite impact on my life, almost as tall as me and like
nothing I'd seen in Connecticut. </span><span id="cleanprint_content"><span id="cleanprint_content">My eyes still widen at the thought. </span>They must be why hydrangea-blue/French
blue is my favorite color. Late in
life she came to visit us here in Ocala and was genuinely thrilled to
buy a Sago palm to bring home and plant in her yard, not knowing if it
would withstand her winters. It did. </span><span id="cleanprint_content"><span id="cleanprint_content">Now
that I think of it</span>, so much of who I am was shaped by that heavy-footed lady with the loud southern
accent (Y'all come eat!) who I saw and experienced for such short
snippets of time. Quilting, clothes sewing, DIY, gardening by the seat
of my pants...it all came down from her. She really was bigger than
life, and I really think she had a massive influence on me in that she
passed on her creativity and stamina to me. She had tons of it. She
decorated her living room walls with artificial arrangements in
containers that used to be Clorox bottles that she cut in half and the
thick cardboard cones (spray painted gold) that used to be bobbins (I
think) from the cotton mill where she used to work. Creative genius was
everywhere in and around her house. Every place I looked (and I loved to
look) had handmade things in it that I'd never seen before - awesome,
ingenious creations. My goodness, I miss her. </span><br />
<span id="cleanprint_content"></span><br />
So with no
knowledge of the subject to speak of I decided to dig a garden, knowing
not what it would become only hoping I wouldn't embarrass myself. It's
only recently I don't feel dishonest calling it a garden and myself a
gardener. Surely, I don't have the credentials to be called
such, but I do have the heritage. Gee, I wish Nana could see my garden.
I know she would like it even though my hydrangeas are pink and rarely bloom. I think she would go around and fix things for me, and I would follow after her.</div>
sherryocalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06367991971551038582noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7928880599026491390.post-42943833712834296172012-12-24T19:14:00.001-08:002012-12-24T19:14:44.742-08:00Joy to the world<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4q031ioiDLU/UNkQ9MngYEI/AAAAAAAAILU/z0JoBJ1jGnQ/s1600-h/IMG_7977%252520%2525288%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7977 (8)" border="0" height="196" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pFFDrBTQWE0/UNkQ9iAn3wI/AAAAAAAAILc/gUtoqzKqbM0/IMG_7977%252520%2525288%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7977 (8)" width="644" /></a><br />
<br />
<sup>From The Gospel of Luke</sup><br />
<sup> </sup> <br />
<sup>39 </sup>At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea,<sup></sup> <sup>40 </sup>where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. <sup>41 </sup>When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.<sup></sup> <sup>42 </sup>In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women,<sup></sup> and blessed is the child you will bear! <sup>43 </sup>But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord<sup></sup> should come to me? <sup>44 </sup>As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. <sup>45 </sup>Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” <br />
<h5>
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hV-zG5PPbOY/UNkQ-SFxicI/AAAAAAAAILk/EBakopgEx98/s1600-h/IMG_7977%252520%2525286%252529%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7977 (6)" border="0" height="344" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-obgSVFIoG6E/UNkQ_HvluMI/AAAAAAAAILs/mYXxN9InkYc/IMG_7977%252520%2525286%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7977 (6)" width="276" /></a><sup></sup></h5>
<h5>
<sup>46 </sup>And Mary said:</h5>
“My soul glorifies the Lord<sup></sup><br /><sup>47 </sup> and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,<sup></sup><br /><sup>48 </sup>for he has been mindful<br />of the humble state of his servant.<sup></sup><br />From now on all generations will call me blessed,<sup></sup><br /><sup>49 </sup> for the Mighty One has done great things<sup></sup> for me—<br />holy is his name.<sup></sup><br /><sup>50 </sup>His mercy extends to those who fear him,<br />from generation to generation.<sup></sup><br /><sup>51 </sup>He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;<sup></sup><br />he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.<sup></sup><br /><sup>52 </sup>He has brought down rulers from their thrones<br />but has lifted up the humble.<sup></sup><br /><sup>53 </sup>He has filled the hungry with good things<sup></sup><br />but has sent the rich away empty.<br /><sup>54 </sup>He has helped his servant Israel,<br />remembering to be merciful<sup></sup><br /><sup>55 </sup>to Abraham and his descendants<sup></sup> forever,<br />just as he promised our ancestors.” <br />
<sup>56 </sup>Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.<br />
<br />
<sup>From The Gospel of Matthew</sup><br />
<sup> </sup> <br />
<sup>18 </sup>This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.<sup></sup> <sup>19 </sup>Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce<sup></sup> her quietly.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AsjpgS3bS7g/UNkQ_jTM5dI/AAAAAAAAIL0/v_uDDq5duiA/s1600-h/IMG_7977%252520%2525289%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7977 (9)" border="0" height="344" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ls6LpRAL7n0/UNkRAFCzOdI/AAAAAAAAIL8/VUcLDR3AKAY/IMG_7977%252520%2525289%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7977 (9)" width="263" /></a><sup></sup><br />
<br />
<sup>20 </sup>But after he had considered this, an angel<sup></sup> of the Lord appeared to him in a dream<sup></sup> and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. <sup>21 </sup>She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”<sup></sup> <br />
<sup>22 </sup>All this took place to fulfill<sup></sup> what the Lord had said through the prophet: <sup>23 </sup>“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). <br />
<sup>24 </sup>When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel<sup></sup> of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. <sup>25 </sup>But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">From the Gospel of Luke, here is how that happened.</span><br />
<br />
2 In those days Caesar Augustus<sup></sup> issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.<sup></sup> <sup>2 </sup>(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)<sup></sup> <sup>3 </sup>And everyone went to their own town to register. <br />
<sup>4 </sup>So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem<sup></sup> the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. <sup>5 </sup>He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him<sup></sup> and was expecting a child. <sup>6 </sup>While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, <sup>7 </sup>and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. <br />
<sup>8 </sup>And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. <sup>9 </sup>An angel<sup></sup> of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. <sup>10 </sup>But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.<sup></sup> I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. <sup>11 </sup>Today in the town of David a Savior<sup></sup> has been born to you; he is the Messiah,<sup></sup> the Lord.<sup></sup> <sup>12 </sup>This will be a sign<sup></sup> to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-e8mTpHFhGuw/UNkRA8x5lpI/AAAAAAAAIME/zAfoS8Qs1Y8/s1600-h/IMG_7977%252520%2525287%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7977 (7)" border="0" height="404" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-T1ZxSCFuVg4/UNkRBXcm0HI/AAAAAAAAIMM/pd9pNk3qPxw/IMG_7977%252520%2525287%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7977 (7)" width="284" /></a><sup></sup> <br />
<br />
<sup>13 </sup>Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, <br />
<sup>14 </sup>“Glory to God in the highest heaven,<br />and on earth peace<sup></sup> to those on whom his favor rests.”<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BJ5E5N-vufk/UNkRCJGFyCI/AAAAAAAAIMU/JkbDjC2C080/s1600-h/IMG_7977%252520%2525284%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7977 (4)" border="0" height="212" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1s2wo0ec4I0/UNkRCiesddI/AAAAAAAAIMc/Tosq0XRb3L4/IMG_7977%252520%2525284%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7977 (4)" width="644" /></a><sup></sup> <br />
<br />
<sup>15 </sup>When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-15Bk7SGTki0/UNkRDsLbO9I/AAAAAAAAIMk/KaiDuqMXwdQ/s1600-h/IMG_7977%252520%2525282%252529%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7977 (2)" border="0" height="578" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WilMUEemOWA/UNkREZ3JxkI/AAAAAAAAIMs/loEJ9_kUGVA/IMG_7977%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7977 (2)" width="444" /></a><sup></sup> <br />
<br />
<sup>16 </sup>So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.<sup></sup> <sup>17 </sup>When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, <sup>18 </sup>and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. <sup>19 </sup>But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.<sup></sup> <sup>20 </sup>The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God<sup></sup> for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TM1x5i09Jh0/UNkRE6oifPI/AAAAAAAAIM0/cTnPeWfFmCo/s1600-h/IMG_7977%252520%2525285%252529%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7977 (5)" border="0" height="400" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4c7INjjc9yk/UNkRFv3wx4I/AAAAAAAAIM8/cbwvuO3OnXM/IMG_7977%252520%2525285%252529_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7977 (5)" width="166" /></a><sup></sup> <br />
<br />
<sup>21 </sup>On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child,<sup></sup> he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">From the Gospel of Matthew</span><br />
<br />
2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem <sup>2 </sup>and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” <sup> </sup><br />
<sup>3 </sup>When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. <sup>4 </sup>When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. <sup>5 </sup>“In Bethlehem<sup></sup> in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: <br />
<sup>6 </sup>“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,<br />are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;<br />for out of you will come a ruler<br />who will shepherd my people Israel.’”<sup></sup> <br />
<sup>7 </sup>Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. <sup>8 </sup>He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” <br />
<sup>9 </sup>After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. <sup>10 </sup>When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FviEReaXWDI/UNkRGvnU6wI/AAAAAAAAINE/beh3hTdS8D4/s1600-h/IMG_7977%252520%2525283%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="IMG_7977 (3)" border="0" height="497" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PtMdKStZAv4/UNkRHJM3dBI/AAAAAAAAINM/Xk-JUAkfKww/IMG_7977%252520%2525283%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7977 (3)" width="444" /></a></div>
<br />
<sup>11 </sup>On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.<sup></sup> Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts<sup></sup> of gold, frankincense and myrrh. <sup>12 </sup>And having been warned<sup></sup> in a dream<sup></sup> not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. <br />
<h5>
The Escape to Egypt</h5>
<br />
<sup>13 </sup>When they had gone, an angel<sup></sup> of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream.<sup></sup> “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” <br />
<sup>14 </sup>So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, <sup>15 </sup>where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled<sup></sup> what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”<sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%202&version=NIV#fen-NIV-23185c">c</a>]</sup><sup></sup> <br />
<sup>16 </sup>When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. <sup>17 </sup>Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:<sup></sup> <br />
<sup>18 </sup>“A voice is heard in Ramah,<br />weeping and great mourning,<br />Rachel<sup></sup> weeping for her children<br />and refusing to be comforted,<br />because they are no more.” <br />
<h5>
The Return to Nazareth</h5>
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DquxMyqqwmg/UNkRKee0-AI/AAAAAAAAINk/6T1xhRTvTHU/s1600-h/IMG_7878%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="IMG_7878" border="0" height="464" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J4J4RifT7A8/UNkRKxM7WQI/AAAAAAAAINs/DdEz-SyohUc/IMG_7878_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7878" width="640" /></a><sup> </sup><br />
<sup> 19 </sup>After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt <sup>20 </sup>and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.” <br />
<sup>21 </sup>So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. <sup>22 </sup>But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream,<sup></sup> he withdrew to the district of Galilee,<sup></sup> <sup>23 </sup>and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth.<sup></sup> So was fulfilled<sup></sup> what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PgPgJKiqrTM/UNkRI2vb6qI/AAAAAAAAINU/w3gstJ4Swns/s1600-h/IMG_7897%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7897" border="0" height="129" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ePrNlJkNRx8/UNkRJdl1fNI/AAAAAAAAINc/_Sh2CJ4d0lc/IMG_7897_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7897" width="644" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5QiAf34R8cs/UNkRNAxaJ4I/AAAAAAAAIOE/ir_BnEu4Lf0/s1600-h/IMG_7882%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7882" border="0" height="479" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Y9LyN1v2cxE/UNkRNxctiuI/AAAAAAAAIOM/f7smA1MtvHY/IMG_7882_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7882" width="644" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-f39NfNJaSLo/UNkRQEdK12I/AAAAAAAAIOk/ROUNNTvgy5E/s1600-h/IMG_7888%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7888" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qxh3SSiR1_g/UNkRQzvhsNI/AAAAAAAAIOs/cVQ9aUxEIQ4/IMG_7888_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7888" width="644" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OOZXIpaViAU/UNkRRoU7uJI/AAAAAAAAIO0/U49Yjl6sqUI/s1600-h/IMG_7894%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7894" border="0" height="441" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ixKY9jExxpI/UNkRSPjBvKI/AAAAAAAAIO8/yLoDVNTLUWM/IMG_7894_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7894" width="644" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TajGnESj8PY/UNkRTLle_XI/AAAAAAAAIPE/fu4E-uzmJko/s1600-h/IMG_7898%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7898" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-34eC6ihHgbE/UNkRTxJLp7I/AAAAAAAAIPM/3D3luDYYz3M/IMG_7898_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7898" width="644" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9JSMofteIew/UNkRWfmHtGI/AAAAAAAAIPk/xOOmORMZ5ZQ/s1600-h/IMG_7902%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7902" border="0" height="399" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4uxq3NzneUM/UNkRXMg-aQI/AAAAAAAAIPs/2972LAUKE9s/IMG_7902_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7902" width="644" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FMrZ19NuXUk/UNkRYAADOII/AAAAAAAAIP0/tPCXgJJbY4Q/s1600-h/IMG_7909%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7909" border="0" height="417" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AQk8Z_GkQZE/UNkRZjnRPsI/AAAAAAAAIP8/rzrYiDaSNsQ/IMG_7909_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7909" width="644" /></a><br />
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My prayer is for you all to have God's peace this Christmas and always, the peace that surpasses understanding, peace that fills your heart in spite of circumstances, peace that comes from the knowledge that Someone bigger and stronger than you has everything under control, peace that settles in your heart’s most secret places and assures you that you are loved -- just as you are, peace that shelters you from the stressful struggles of this life.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of <b>Peace</b>.</span> Isaiah 9:6</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The God of <b>peace</b> be with you all. Amen.</span> Romans 15:33 </div>
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sherryocalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06367991971551038582noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7928880599026491390.post-23832770911989057132012-12-20T21:04:00.000-08:002012-12-20T21:04:37.699-08:00Christmas at my house<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6WkUhfewaNs/UNPS2YGYyEI/AAAAAAAAH-g/xQJs9I7TV1o/s1600-h/IMG_7920%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7920" border="0" height="544" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-V2NKPwOZLgE/UNPS2xSqrTI/AAAAAAAAH-o/sUWm13H-cwM/IMG_7920_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7920" width="357" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Baskerville Old Face; font-size: large;">Welcome!</span></div>
Even though I am notoriously slow about getting into the Christmas spirit (Humbug could be my middle name), once I get rolling I am very keen to set out all of the red and green lovelies that are my Christmas tradition. You won't see me out with the neighbors when they're decorating their homes the day after Thanksgiving. No, that's almost never me, partly due, I’m sure, to my <b>other</b> middle name… procrastination. However, along about the middle of December I get the urge to pull down the Christmas boxes, and dress up almost every corner of the house with my Christmas treasures. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RuZj5U1Mju4/UNPS3rDH4gI/AAAAAAAAH-w/rZGkJN_v0BY/s1600-h/IMG_7833%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7833" border="0" height="604" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-utNksVFx2EY/UNPS4GyQD2I/AAAAAAAAH-4/lFXd2CzOKeA/IMG_7833_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7833" width="342" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This year I found my dream tree - a tabletop 6-footer with hinged branches and pre-lit with colored lights on sale for $25. That made it official! I was in the Christmas spirit!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wUzBY4fFpac/UNPS47a32fI/AAAAAAAAH_A/-awrnt_u1KI/s1600-h/IMG_7954%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7954" border="0" height="276" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-b2WqJH7ygOk/UNPS5mgAfaI/AAAAAAAAH_I/pyht77HA9lE/IMG_7954_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7954" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mine is not a sophisticated pastel Christmas, so beautiful in other people's homes. Mine is the boldest red and the most evergreen green that I'm sure comes way too close to tacky, but I love it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ufs0J207EyE/UNPS6Q9u2CI/AAAAAAAAH_Q/1afauVIe8Ok/s1600-h/IMG_7942%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7942" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fHUwLvLnloc/UNPS7NAdQcI/AAAAAAAAH_Y/Ao-GDbi7kAw/IMG_7942_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7942" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My most prized Christmas decorations are the the little wooden ones I found in 1981. They were derogatorily dubbed "pigs in space" by my #2 son, Wayne, when he arrived home as a college freshman. Not his idea of Christmas, I guess, but I think he's warmed up to them over the last 30 years. Some of them are a bit beat up and dog-chewed and missing spaceship parts, but Christmas isn't Christmas without my pigs in space.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FKL4SO3yf4s/UNPS76HsHDI/AAAAAAAAH_g/dmBwjJrMNZ0/s1600-h/IMG_7943%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7943" border="0" height="476" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iQAMxhAvpq8/UNPS8jTRPkI/AAAAAAAAH_o/7tELibmdAEA/IMG_7943_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7943" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They get hung carefully and strategically so they'll get the most notice, but I'm sad to say that hardly anyone ever notices them. The expectation of my Christmas-spirit-filled heart is always that guests will stand at the tree for minutes on end to cherish each ornament - as I do.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CUgoYjtnTn0/UNPS9tZ6LtI/AAAAAAAAH_w/cg79NZGoFbY/s1600-h/IMG_7955%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7955" border="0" height="319" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uZVVbpHWLYs/UNPS-NBZ0UI/AAAAAAAAH_4/jJpMe1MfED8/IMG_7955_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7955" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If they did, they'd clearly see all my Christmas memories.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5uKkzL-75y0/UNPTAdm-qgI/AAAAAAAAIAQ/CcK9vju4MRY/s1600-h/IMG_7715%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7715" border="0" height="544" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-klbwvB7pRfM/UNPTBP60OnI/AAAAAAAAIAY/14h2YKh0Ga0/IMG_7715_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7715" width="364" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the golden, sparkling ones.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iOn7WZJDsDM/UNPTCDPWYtI/AAAAAAAAIAg/pOlq_XStPYo/s1600-h/IMG_7717%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7717" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pvvX2zg9LLM/UNPTDAmYQGI/AAAAAAAAIAo/lep-Rccvh2s/IMG_7717_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7717" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ornaments come alive at Christmas, don't they?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ToPBbjf0fNo/UNPTD0Lq5KI/AAAAAAAAIAw/ZOhXVZkmo3c/s1600-h/IMG_7720%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7720" border="0" height="644" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VSvUD7tlOR8/UNPTEtYhTKI/AAAAAAAAIA4/D_POtNb_Sj0/IMG_7720_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7720" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm sure they frolic and dance while we sleep.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ly3dIr6IjTE/UNPTFiA9TNI/AAAAAAAAIBA/EKJ81_Swzfs/s1600-h/IMG_7722%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7722" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Sp25dpIama0/UNPTGK8gvdI/AAAAAAAAIBI/TpPU9CD58Ak/IMG_7722_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7722" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then get still and wooden again when we awake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rBVFrPyta8Y/UNPTHf2E65I/AAAAAAAAIBQ/3ykwwn3Kh5M/s1600-h/IMG_7723%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7723" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0DTER5hUke8/UNPTIPm_R_I/AAAAAAAAIBY/cVw_jWkkrf8/IMG_7723_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7723" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver tinsel hung on the Christmas trees of my childhood. To this day I have never put garland on my trees. It just doesn't fit the tradition, but the day I found this new-fangled red tinsel - some uncounted number of years ago - I almost did a dance in the store. Red tinsel!! How Christmas-y!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DlZgpH8WuPU/UNPTIk_aU7I/AAAAAAAAIBg/O68LsoM_7es/s1600-h/IMG_7729%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7729" border="0" height="604" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YhFto1PxIZQ/UNPTJYUvxuI/AAAAAAAAIBo/GZ-Jmx8NMtc/IMG_7729_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7729" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Over the years I noticed the Santa Claus population growing to larger and larger numbers. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-C6HRtSuh-t0/UNPTKVgXXSI/AAAAAAAAIBw/YSmvZYfJ_5Y/s1600-h/IMG_7736%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7736" border="0" height="441" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uOObS6Yxvko/UNPTK5hTfWI/AAAAAAAAIB4/CSq3IAE_ovQ/IMG_7736_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7736" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So I went with the trend.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kOun-v98MQk/UNPTLgMRYQI/AAAAAAAAICA/AghpnnBD-PY/s1600-h/IMG_7800%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7800" border="0" height="544" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DXkXzCIO3O0/UNPTMXkXiWI/AAAAAAAAICI/blhNO3aWFPI/IMG_7800_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7800" width="414" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santas are quite lovable, you know, in all their various shapes and sizes and derivations.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FKSVzUoIh1A/UNPTNo1h4uI/AAAAAAAAICQ/BFL1sN93JGw/s1600-h/IMG_7759%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7759" border="0" height="544" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nnHYAYktq-0/UNPTPi7fPYI/AAAAAAAAICY/2IFANs-relc/IMG_7759_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7759" width="364" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are lots of them on the tree.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kBD3kzsXvaQ/UNPTR7ionxI/AAAAAAAAICg/bovO2VaF1wY/s1600-h/IMG_7763%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7763" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-acC9av5T49g/UNPTSjGbmfI/AAAAAAAAICo/6oVQUZ3yvLM/IMG_7763_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7763" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along with angels, of course.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2aCcWjj13u4/UNPTTywv5lI/AAAAAAAAICw/viNhfFuBogU/s1600-h/IMG_7769%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7769" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--efi4K3HnQk/UNPTUluSfeI/AAAAAAAAIC4/oGzvhBips7g/IMG_7769_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7769" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa on a pine cone. Santa on a mushroom. A Santa mouse on a clear glass ball.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AE47DMlkJg0/UNPTVtLkn6I/AAAAAAAAIDA/USAGCxTZpT4/s1600-h/IMG_7770%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7770" border="0" height="311" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-brzH3luuNMQ/UNPTWaLSbPI/AAAAAAAAIDI/nCdd5eOFeXw/IMG_7770_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7770" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, yes, the glass balls. Well, so many have broken, crashing to the floor. Many have faded and lost their bright colors tiny chips at a time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZihiZI4B5Kc/UNPTXs9KY-I/AAAAAAAAIDQ/rHjgDIxOyYQ/s1600-h/IMG_7771%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7771" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-54JJiKScz9E/UNPTYW2cCgI/AAAAAAAAIDY/qu8zol9IcIs/IMG_7771_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7771" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorites are the painted ones with sparkles on them. They don't seem to make them much anymore.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Hx25yLxuBtg/UNPTapv0D7I/AAAAAAAAIDg/fbeY4RW3S-0/s1600-h/IMG_7773%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7773" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PYkAPpuQAmg/UNPTbiCJqRI/AAAAAAAAIDo/LWt2fDbji6k/IMG_7773_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7773" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My other favorites are ones with sunken designs that look like Faberge eggs. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1GNVBBd7nYc/UNPTcgzi8wI/AAAAAAAAIDw/-5epOCiw4FQ/s1600-h/IMG_7774%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7774" border="0" height="183" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1-sfesWSzWg/UNPTdmZcGeI/AAAAAAAAID4/LNksGNnmR3o/IMG_7774_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7774" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plastic has become the material of choice for the ornament manufacturers. Aren't they elves anymore?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_wdEvzndIKo/UNPTfTDi8DI/AAAAAAAAIEA/-PY-Dl34-Ig/s1600-h/IMG_7777%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7777" border="0" height="404" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-a74u0HZBcqY/UNPTgbGH4pI/AAAAAAAAIEI/4A539dwiy_s/IMG_7777_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7777" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Be they wood or plastic, they co-mingle sweetly on my tree.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kB810zvVirY/UNPThOnDY7I/AAAAAAAAIEQ/ou8p_NVvMdE/s1600-h/IMG_7781%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7781" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Pz7H90hqsxQ/UNPTiWlObXI/AAAAAAAAIEY/ntw4LBUDUFI/IMG_7781_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7781" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course, some of the pigs in space aren't really pigs in space. Did you really expect accuracy from an 18-year-old boy? What were you thinking? Here's a wooden little fellow ready for the slopes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4LXbzoZe8J0/UNPTjxjzopI/AAAAAAAAIEg/zlVEjpEOdow/s1600-h/IMG_7786%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7786" border="0" height="489" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ozx_YIdd8wI/UNPTkhvKKpI/AAAAAAAAIEo/LV9lJ2t19ag/IMG_7786_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7786" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My trees are mostly whimsical, but I love to find reminders of the Savior whose birth I celebrate.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AIvXRtdXESU/UNPTlpaz02I/AAAAAAAAIEw/oyB78pxY13c/s1600-h/IMG_7794%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7794" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3hUSRbKy1uQ/UNPTme2RnEI/AAAAAAAAIE4/2a5q-9gawuw/IMG_7794_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7794" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Somehow my heart thinks the wood and gold and glass and plastic all fit together into such a beautiful picture.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-x7XFxPEPZpc/UNPTnDhr9pI/AAAAAAAAIFA/YCywZ7REeSI/s1600-h/IMG_7797%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7797" border="0" height="519" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MumnRgwempA/UNPTnpqzSUI/AAAAAAAAIFI/36Su1c-wWjc/IMG_7797_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7797" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red and green are Christmas colors. Tra-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Mh3l5u7hFEQ/UNPTon3GvEI/AAAAAAAAIFQ/sPcTMF4G4H4/s1600-h/IMG_7806%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7806" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gzQ-J7XoTLE/UNPTpSVuqMI/AAAAAAAAIFY/jWMbCCy5STI/IMG_7806_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7806" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But blue is good for the bold nutcracker boy who guards the precious painted, sparkling glass ball.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qV1ytxNPZFA/UNPTq3tHhZI/AAAAAAAAIFg/IzdQ9QGeCZc/s1600-h/IMG_7811%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7811" border="0" height="519" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-A9pABh7Mb_s/UNPTriFZnPI/AAAAAAAAIFo/JTSt7LpUWCU/IMG_7811_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7811" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gold reminds me of the gifts they brought.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mcyeia3iYqQ/UNPTtW3m0eI/AAAAAAAAIFw/rfeFOzGRRRs/s1600-h/IMG_7814%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7814" border="0" height="431" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcNTLQZPOeMPiJ2oAbsz24O74laulPw737CAzj6Xy5QN3F2AWLuLqMcA1Z18b4Cafpco-_tt7Ag1ORGgrmvl3LpcbU5hS5QEdHNQY8hzFP8jxDTyx1qiY61VHyXqnmYFogN87ilxM8bzLF/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7814" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A mouse on skis and a sweet snowman from a Bible-study toddler years ago.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2znRxm9xxZc/UNPTvNo__qI/AAAAAAAAIGA/rW5jRH59urw/s1600-h/IMG_7816%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7816" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0IHVl6TfBik/UNPTv2o13GI/AAAAAAAAIGI/gcwdJU86Zaw/IMG_7816_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7816" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowmen and icicles adorn this Florida tree side-by side with the Wise Men..</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pSmzXuampS8/UNPTw_Df8xI/AAAAAAAAIGQ/Hzpkk21pvT0/s1600-h/IMG_7817%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7817" border="0" height="561" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BIkyr656bwU/UNPTx_RcWCI/AAAAAAAAIGY/Icp24FZhDuQ/IMG_7817_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7817" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What fun Christmas is!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jF14M_jq2k8/UNPTy09Yi_I/AAAAAAAAIGg/zw2eqohs4Tk/s1600-h/IMG_7822%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7822" border="0" height="428" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_hABw02rDEA/UNPTzvYlipI/AAAAAAAAIGo/cG9xTszOyUA/IMG_7822_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7822" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old ornaments don't seem to mind at all that the new ones have come.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Vb_uwHxfxlQ/UNPT0l_FBSI/AAAAAAAAIGw/529Ogffm-es/s1600-h/IMG_7823%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7823" border="0" height="439" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-A8rW08mdyzk/UNPT1O7LinI/AAAAAAAAIG4/HbFdE3YCqt8/IMG_7823_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7823" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey, wooden mouse! Wayne is coming on Sunday!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4NYlr8jvltc/UNPT2BlOdZI/AAAAAAAAIHA/cDPCeGjDzpk/s1600-h/IMG_7723%252520%2525282%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7723 (2)" border="0" height="249" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-K77ddknm7v0/UNPT256-m9I/AAAAAAAAIHI/kt3a-ybJpZo/IMG_7723%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7723 (2)" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did I mention that I like <b>a lot</b> of ornaments on a tree? Empty space bothers me. Fun space makes me joyful.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BsOaNdXV7oI/UNPT34igdsI/AAAAAAAAIHQ/G_gcbroske4/s1600-h/IMG_7869%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7869" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AVI8BSaZXsQ/UNPT4e1lgHI/AAAAAAAAIHY/y7eFibixWAI/IMG_7869_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7869" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can't you see Santa and the wanna-be Rudolph and the harp-strumming angel dancing as we dream?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aRiSYc3IbGg/UNPT5P0N_zI/AAAAAAAAIHg/hXdTaiI6jGo/s1600-h/IMG_7810%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7810" border="0" height="604" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5VwPCT9VM3s/UNPT59BwI1I/AAAAAAAAIHo/JZhf09foT7k/IMG_7810_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7810" width="556" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the angel who sounds the Savior's arrival.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bNmlIH0cka4/UNPT6kl0HkI/AAAAAAAAIHw/1D9TgIDpwcQ/s1600-h/IMG_7837%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7837" border="0" height="693" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-b3UeL0fbZsw/UNPT7c_uwmI/AAAAAAAAIH4/5tbtWb-0uAs/IMG_7837_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7837" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red berries adorn almost everything at Christmas time.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AIS3m1PKUIA/UNPT8SC3-CI/AAAAAAAAIIA/7KfkTUhJZ88/s1600-h/IMG_7843%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7843" border="0" height="367" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dSLcAFh-7Bo/UNPT81jA79I/AAAAAAAAIII/jFV4hx-o2Os/IMG_7843_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7843" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first time I placed red Santas and stuffed Teddy Bear Santas on every shelf in every corner my DH was a bit overwhelmed. He kept intimating that I was overdoing it. Then the day came to pack all the red away, and DH was bereft and missing all the color.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yMjr-tamUzQ/UNPT9g4fmxI/AAAAAAAAIIQ/ScP0hhKhlEk/s1600-h/IMG_7852%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7852" border="0" height="604" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kqHqexND-Ag/UNPT-De_YOI/AAAAAAAAIIY/AAN5OBmOG5Y/IMG_7852_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7852" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa also sits on the grandmother clock. What else is a Santa to do with no fireplace in the house?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-e96BYkPCMao/UNPT-5yn7zI/AAAAAAAAIIg/zLJND-qw4MA/s1600-h/IMG_7847%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7847" border="0" height="644" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TlHFF-SMhj0/UNPT_k0Ww6I/AAAAAAAAIIo/RslKVcsJXOQ/IMG_7847_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7847" width="567" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kick-off time!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VtirMQECB9Y/UNPUAUX1QJI/AAAAAAAAIIw/W4884UnJZNo/s1600-h/IMG_7753%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7753" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3wx18cDlAEI/UNPUBJYr03I/AAAAAAAAII4/4lfMt8iOcvw/IMG_7753_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7753" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the blue and white do-dads that were there and now aren't, packed away in the same boxes that held Christmas for so long.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-exPSFnLZ7d4/UNPUB3GqmtI/AAAAAAAAIJA/Q3kiOPelHRo/s1600-h/IMG_7751%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7751" border="0" height="377" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Pj-0qlQcgco/UNPUCt8k0pI/AAAAAAAAIJI/zoaa0S99Sw4/IMG_7751_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7751" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting on the foyer bench to cheer Christmas guests.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hXGKUtZXxT8/UNPUDfeN83I/AAAAAAAAIJQ/0_dslFF69xo/s1600-h/IMG_7863%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7863" border="0" height="544" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-d1GhSwXczCg/UNPUD7LQSdI/AAAAAAAAIJY/HdcXl3rNTU4/IMG_7863_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7863" width="427" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bathroom door tinkles while you tinkle.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ybIldVtP0_c/UNPUEbx9SLI/AAAAAAAAIJg/qayxNkneY4A/s1600-h/IMG_7871%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7871" border="0" height="604" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yoK5t_KQExI/UNPUFGJrtvI/AAAAAAAAIJo/ubjERMKh_dE/IMG_7871_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7871" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is there anyone so jolly as St. Nick?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2oc680hRq3M/UNPUG_irX7I/AAAAAAAAIJw/fONfW_Ivhjc/s1600-h/IMG_7919%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7919" border="0" height="544" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bN4uvUeIwZ8/UNPUHXHoo0I/AAAAAAAAIJ4/2qZwlfqVdQY/IMG_7919_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7919" width="296" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ah ha! Prime decorating real estate!</td></tr>
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Since this is a blog about roses, here’s one I snapped for you today with my cell phone on the way out to pay our property taxes. ‘Tis the season, you know.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WpqtlmV8YJE/UNPUIQ8-RUI/AAAAAAAAIKA/zEQncdeG-aQ/s1600-h/20121220_153232%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="20121220_153232" border="0" height="497" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-myVPXao6BFs/UNPUJM3F2VI/AAAAAAAAIKI/ZP5df8NS9xk/20121220_153232_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="20121220_153232" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Madame Lombard' - bred by Francois Lacharme in France in 1878. Cooler weather brings big blooms.</td></tr>
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I have more Christmas goodies to post on Christmas Eve. Until then…let the sugar plum fairies and red-nosed Rudolph dance around in your head, and don’t even be thinking about getting any sleep between now and the 25th. After all, we’re all children at heart, excitedly waiting, hoping to sneak a peak at Santa. So <span style="color: red;"><b>Ho! Ho! Ho!</b></span> and have a - - - -<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ezaiXR8SQ9U/UNPUJ7cVrRI/AAAAAAAAIKQ/6BzPAvFibAA/s1600-h/IMG_7757%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_7757" border="0" height="265" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-x1bOPHVF2io/UNPUKTET6_I/AAAAAAAAIKY/q0WDY4z9CBM/IMG_7757_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7757" width="644" /></a></div>
sherryocalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06367991971551038582noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7928880599026491390.post-16235994268466615792012-12-09T23:24:00.001-08:002012-12-09T23:24:11.491-08:00December cheer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It’s kind of mind bending to think of blooming roses in the same month as Santa’s “Ho, ho, ho!”, but this is Florida so I’ve learned to expect the strange along with the wonderful. October’s feeding has had beautiful results that I think you’ll enjoy. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WEtjOPOQXlM/UMVy5QSuI0I/AAAAAAAAHwE/0LeyZme_Kts/s1600-h/IMG_7527%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7527" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ULtCRi9sSyI/UMVy6tXNoLI/AAAAAAAAHwM/YHSkYfAy2PQ/IMG_7527_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7527" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Clotilde Soupert', a polyantha bred in Luxembourg in 1889, is in the foreground, and 'Hermosa', a China/Bourbon Hybrid bred in France in 1832, is behind her. Both are fragrant.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ArD42ycEatA/UMVy79jt6KI/AAAAAAAAHwU/6KKgO0tUt5Q/s1600-h/IMG_7528%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7528" border="0" height="423" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZaALWWLioKA/UMVy9CeZ8_I/AAAAAAAAHwc/OuhR7BUA3vs/IMG_7528_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7528" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stepping back toward the curb, now you can see 'Madame Abel Chatenay', a French-bred Hybrid Tea from 1894. Some gardeners like swaths of color, but my garden is so small that a single bush counts as a swath! I love the transition from salmon to white to hot pink. No, I didn't say French bread.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TiP-SR66c8w/UMVy9xomeOI/AAAAAAAAHwk/Hsc8jTlbNDc/s1600-h/IMG_7532%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7532" border="0" height="604" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CS7yDlyj_gM/UMVy-u6ifLI/AAAAAAAAHws/Qf6z3KYf3gI/IMG_7532_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7532" width="546" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'White Maman Cochet', a sport of the Tea rose, 'Maman Cochet', discovered in Australia and in the U.S. in the same year, 1896. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OtLIZ_pnqfk/UMVy_-o8_qI/AAAAAAAAHw0/lSHT7vszrX8/s1600-h/IMG_7542%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7542" border="0" height="369" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4Bp09SylHlU/UMVzAuguynI/AAAAAAAAHw8/wxH78jbdNTQ/IMG_7542_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7542" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think she looks a bit like Christmas in this shot.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AdwMXoyrCBo/UMVzBpZJgVI/AAAAAAAAHxE/_FPHjd-ImYI/s1600-h/IMG_7543%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7543" border="0" height="537" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-93scFUntU2o/UMVzCsQK9aI/AAAAAAAAHxM/a0N_sK9KXuo/IMG_7543_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7543" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have to pinch myself. This really is my garden!!! I can't remember these bushes along the driveway blooming so beautifully all together. Again, they're 'Mme Abel Chatenay', 'Clotilde Soupert' and 'Hermosa'.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tWebvLk2NN8/UMVzDlnMxtI/AAAAAAAAHxU/qdU3XCyExpo/s1600-h/IMG_7545%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7545" border="0" height="634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsamHZmx76zyp32Qjg4sxCOmWVbhVtkJ6DHgSg1OmGXcpwONAALpJb7XY-UKfFzuL23NAT-5J97OIFdwigdDS6_xjs2_-YZ86FYt3UASc0MTf7RlAgklfjfp2v1zJWeeC_J6Bm06egmp7/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7545" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a sweet little miniature, 'Softee', growing happily in a pot.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nbv2V1m1LtI/UMVzFivyJlI/AAAAAAAAHxk/Llk91NFRmxo/s1600-h/IMG_7547%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7547" border="0" height="396" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hsJqWb3E7CU/UMVzGCi9dEI/AAAAAAAAHxs/olPbXxDaaYg/IMG_7547_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7547" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Maggie', a found rose probably a Bourbon, is getting bigger every day, but her young canes flop and leave her blooms to lay on the ground.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yV6BJizECVk/UMVzHonfwiI/AAAAAAAAHx0/YOcEvicLLAA/s1600-h/IMG_7550%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7550" border="0" height="476" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LjcYA540ThY/UMVzIfOK2-I/AAAAAAAAHx8/XXCtXn_n6YA/IMG_7550_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7550" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lovely 'Le Vesuve' was bred in France in 1825 of questionable heritage, perhaps China, perhaps Bourbon, perhaps Tea, or a combination.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YdhmB0rzKHo/UMVzJa1HceI/AAAAAAAAHyE/ZeDFnBd9V1U/s1600-h/IMG_7554%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7554" border="0" height="337" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-z8tggdS0gVo/UMVzKD8M7OI/AAAAAAAAHyM/n3bTgA7xhHc/IMG_7554_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7554" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Hermosa' on the left and 'Clotilde Soupert' on the right. Only the camera was tipsy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lpTDWayo2QI/UMVzLdDLfPI/AAAAAAAAHyU/wGDRRd1VIGs/s1600-h/IMG_7555%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7555" border="0" height="511" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dk3jam3SZPc/UMVzL5cosLI/AAAAAAAAHyc/VS_mOma_AQA/IMG_7555_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7555" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Lauren', a polyantha bred in the U.S. in 2003. She likes living in a pot.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MxcTdio9FfE/UMVzNNh6_QI/AAAAAAAAHyk/os60p1wzCEg/s1600-h/IMG_7558%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7558" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--lBcoXKvKus/UMVzNht2FpI/AAAAAAAAHys/VBqX4-VpF78/IMG_7558_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7558" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Le Vesuve' again.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vZ77wRsON5Y/UMVzOlsyTsI/AAAAAAAAHy0/zAL1QwthbGM/s1600-h/IMG_7559%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7559" border="0" height="543" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cZRSxadzzaQ/UMVzPUfiUJI/AAAAAAAAHy8/Zkz1gz_iYA8/IMG_7559_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7559" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And again. He's starting to feel better now that I've removed the six pentas and the three Purple Coneflowers that were crowding him in his own bed. Poor guy. He didn't like the company at all!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UvVqfvFofT8/UMVzQUKvKYI/AAAAAAAAHzI/owkWPddUR_U/s1600-h/IMG_7561%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7561" border="0" height="497" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YLgYI2IUT3s/UMVzRE_eH6I/AAAAAAAAHzQ/fdYsopeMNC4/IMG_7561_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7561" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was happy to see this fellow since I already saw some aphids. Bon appetit!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-U6kNV11dSYA/UMVzRz_tv8I/AAAAAAAAHzY/9ysB4qG-fBw/s1600-h/IMG_7569%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7569" border="0" height="473" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ayQXF4mf9mw/UMVzSjmfh8I/AAAAAAAAHzg/LJiq7kTec0A/IMG_7569_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7569" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Bow Bells' bred by David Austin in England in 1991</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-F6WOTM9eDFc/UMVzTr1L0yI/AAAAAAAAHzo/V7iZOuGYUUE/s1600-h/IMG_7573%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7573" border="0" height="396" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eDsL07DPFdg/UMVzUGp3_KI/AAAAAAAAHzw/kAlK_Yu9VT0/IMG_7573_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7573" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Etoile de Mai', another polyantha, bred in France in 1893. In the summer her spot is very shady, but she blooms anyway.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_WFbDXShrCg/UMVzVGJoZbI/AAAAAAAAHz4/KzYUWO2PRCk/s1600-h/IMG_7574%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7574" border="0" height="644" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VjGDab2DaZk/UMVzV86oh9I/AAAAAAAAH0A/Ln4fgUYPAS0/IMG_7574_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7574" width="629" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Etoile de Mai' again. Different, isn't she?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cGFbN3enmLQ/UMVzXATxx3I/AAAAAAAAH0I/GzjLvVusNzY/s1600-h/IMG_7577%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7577" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Zw1eAY1P2r0/UMVzXoCQXKI/AAAAAAAAH0Q/KWJIpD8mKRE/IMG_7577_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7577" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Bow Bells' again</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-i7X1KrI_R4E/UMVzYjzAbxI/AAAAAAAAH0Y/GUyJBG8HCM4/s1600-h/IMG_7584%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7584" border="0" height="544" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AEvTETvqMCo/UMVzZhMmWLI/AAAAAAAAH0g/skppufKBGEE/IMG_7584_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7584" width="364" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And here are 'Etoile de Mai' and 'Bow Bells' together - best buds, I'd say.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZsMyhwS3-R0/UMVzaVWt05I/AAAAAAAAH0o/OFmayWxjfqo/s1600-h/IMG_7580%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7580" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eeCIbCi0dJ8/UMVzbZzBXbI/AAAAAAAAH0w/HP-BqEsNTGM/IMG_7580_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7580" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many faces of 'Madame Lombard', a Tea bred in France in 1878</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-E7otZ1sXCWU/UMVzcstqZyI/AAAAAAAAH04/l93xg0KPO80/s1600-h/IMG_7597%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7597" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1lNW3Emcpww/UMVzdVlwPEI/AAAAAAAAH1A/3fSFUTdUxxo/IMG_7597_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7597" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This and the next three photos are the same rose, 'Borderer', a polyantha bred in Australia in 1918.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3v9YMyM9m7Q/UMVzeaLYJdI/AAAAAAAAH1I/8ikpc3f03oc/s1600-h/IMG_7598%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7598" border="0" height="495" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Woy1hGuB8bU/UMVzfPX7ZMI/AAAAAAAAH1Q/_sAF2aqMjSs/IMG_7598_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7598" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A different look from 'Borderer'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uinDimRAOok/UMVzgGFLu0I/AAAAAAAAH1Y/EqSI0fUFIh4/s1600-h/IMG_7599%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7599" border="0" height="497" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dHmuJKmbirs/UMVzg689xGI/AAAAAAAAH1g/oaKSyY0OMD0/IMG_7599_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7599" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And a peachy bud.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rwDowfc-1j4/UMVzh0EnGUI/AAAAAAAAH1o/YFhkW1lKGLs/s1600-h/IMG_7600%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7600" border="0" height="401" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JMvioyEmC2s/UMVzivZ4VfI/AAAAAAAAH1w/O4PRihsPmLI/IMG_7600_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7600" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just in case you didn't believe me</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UBv7icHIu3Y/UMVzjXYYMcI/AAAAAAAAH14/f6gYMYP2MrU/s1600-h/IMG_7601%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7601" border="0" height="463" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidH_vBGprJ36YNAzLmznq8omceZwRpoRAzn1zKT3l04uyk7gp_YFPP7MA0wH0hkXOPT9zf_-hl3d1GGdfhG_zwIp9X74rGQwVhONXUvM6IeAkRImQS_mWKTqhUSR3bmK-rmasn_gj_OUTl/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7601" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Bow Bells' thinks it's her job to be every pink all at once.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZxFJCtHi8dY/UMVzkvkelXI/AAAAAAAAH2I/Zv4LLZ8cFaw/s1600-h/IMG_7603%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7603" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-k8UDJnFF6n8/UMVzlqyZn8I/AAAAAAAAH2Q/EuIpErl9-6o/IMG_7603_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7603" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very pink and very endearing, I think.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZuryAbTqoeU/UMVzmr-MCJI/AAAAAAAAH2Y/jo3JGpZBC_g/s1600-h/IMG_7604%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7604" border="0" height="444" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NDwa-1izXjk/UMVznGPY5uI/AAAAAAAAH2g/Bvh6GG4Ys4E/IMG_7604_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7604" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't you?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1Jvm-VvhgrM/UMVzoAirpLI/AAAAAAAAH2o/9ye-Co239WA/s1600-h/IMG_7605%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7605" border="0" height="544" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qTl_XdTo79c/UMVzoujeQWI/AAAAAAAAH2w/s480SWyULqw/IMG_7605_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7605" width="321" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even Lotus pink.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0NoFCoJJUcQ/UMVzpXFrUoI/AAAAAAAAH24/r7FswrNmET8/s1600-h/IMG_7607%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7607" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9n7VxnkUhJ4/UMVzpzCu6lI/AAAAAAAAH3A/DpN29NKSQBo/IMG_7607_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7607" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the most beautiful I have ever seen 'Clotilde Soupert' in my garden. She's beautiful quite often, but she can be bothered by heavy rains as her buds are opening and thrips in the spring. Regardless, she's in my top five, maybe top three.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LeFtnkv-loA/UMVzq6EBMaI/AAAAAAAAH3I/lKQPzukMjv8/s1600-h/IMG_7609%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7609" border="0" height="644" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4wRQbk4JBLA/UMVzr3LUhXI/AAAAAAAAH3Q/Qycc1eaXw3E/IMG_7609_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7609" width="607" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clotilde again. I have two bushes and the climber.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-J9UuX76UpeQ/UMVzswvdcfI/AAAAAAAAH3Y/mH3cHleY6PA/s1600-h/IMG_7615%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7615" border="0" height="575" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NVb1sZ8dTtE/UMVztgANUtI/AAAAAAAAH3g/Ur8syyKlUjE/IMG_7615_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7615" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And she smells so nice!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DEOdzaqlbdY/UMVzu1jFzzI/AAAAAAAAH3o/qIwmnM69sG4/s1600-h/IMG_7614%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7614" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MmINTeTNuGU/UMVzvh2SIyI/AAAAAAAAH3w/t-c-_XtxrYA/IMG_7614_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7614" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Duquesa', a Tea rose bred in the U.S. (I believe) in 2005 but still in the Old Garden Rose class. She's quite fragrant.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VElZc0I8Vhw/UMVzwc7-f4I/AAAAAAAAH34/M6vyZaJgd4Y/s1600-h/IMG_7618%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7618" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2fdjnhkM1Jo/UMVzxG4-eTI/AAAAAAAAH4A/7knFLycfMaA/IMG_7618_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7618" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Maman Cochet', a Tea rose bred in France in 1892. You can see that she nods. They say she has a weak neck.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aNFjk3wjxXE/UMVzyGiy4pI/AAAAAAAAH4I/Iq6vVkb3mJU/s1600-h/IMG_7621%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7621" border="0" height="644" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nZstAF2w3_k/UMVzzEcYAiI/AAAAAAAAH4Q/T2I0UBetbUw/IMG_7621_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7621" width="580" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But 'Maman Cochet' can also hold herself erect and can give us a different look every day and twice on Sunday - all beautiful, of course.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2U0QOGUaNTc/UMVzz9zux_I/AAAAAAAAH4Y/O4tQ-UH0L9w/s1600-h/IMG_7622%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7622" border="0" height="380" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-m_CQf0595LU/UMVz0p2A5uI/AAAAAAAAH4g/RvchREYKH3o/IMG_7622_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7622" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Mary Guthrie', another polyantha from Australia bred in 1929</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lnVWoL4IuJI/UMVz1rA5mdI/AAAAAAAAH4o/u0GKFrqMJvg/s1600-h/IMG_7624%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7624" border="0" height="644" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oXHFWCXFAB0/UMVz2krCRqI/AAAAAAAAH4w/QoUHW8LrfXA/IMG_7624_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7624" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's my buddy, 'Louis Philippe', a China bred in France in 1834. Don't you love the French?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-s9lVTqCkWhc/UMVz3eH4UlI/AAAAAAAAH44/2XXa9nHp_io/s1600-h/IMG_7625%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7625" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-V6dE_JwkTHk/UMVz4EvZ1NI/AAAAAAAAH5A/mSF83_1z8ys/IMG_7625_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7625" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Louis is also known as The Florida Rose. He's about the only old rose you'll find growing in abandoned gardens here in Florida. The nematodes don't bother him a bit.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-udDIF-mCZ10/UMVz5OV0zNI/AAAAAAAAH5I/izhoD6sHbOM/s1600-h/IMG_7630%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7630" border="0" height="479" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XJRPliNSqEg/UMVz6YamqOI/AAAAAAAAH5Q/NgfEmerOFc0/IMG_7630_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7630" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Louis nods, too. He looks like a Christmas tree ornament!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rdhqpMAkotY/UMVz7QNXbdI/AAAAAAAAH5Y/0gDKCU-YG6s/s1600-h/IMG_7632%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7632" border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79CHXD8tc6w4wgqA6StO4zXgdtzb6v7MDn2JQlPza2kWLZLooGjxpz9a01kC-o4DhagN-nORrvDYCtySlv7ZaPz29wgMPE7YyVppmWJjWTVKa4QbCHnxGGAWuSeHTk5EnGeqfPSd1ct_u/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7632" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Mrs. B. R. Cant', a Tea rose bred in the U.K. in 1901.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-inEIdQqZyIU/UMVz9ALsF5I/AAAAAAAAH5o/pW_1CCPhyO4/s1600-h/IMG_7636%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7636" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ph7jtmL5BBM/UMVz-A44xKI/AAAAAAAAH5w/V9jpo9R6lVE/IMG_7636_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7636" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This red bud is the pink shrub rose, 'Belinda's Dream', bred in the U.S. in 1988. She definitely has the Christmas spirit.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OMcl9qx65Ss/UMVz_ELWSWI/AAAAAAAAH54/5-P9KPNS5wM/s1600-h/IMG_7637%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7637" border="0" height="548" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dnNGs3anrmw/UMVz_r0BbnI/AAAAAAAAH6A/-CFC6g4SsVo/IMG_7637_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7637" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gosh, can you believe I'm holding that thing with my bare fingers? I do not like bugs, but desperate circumstances demand desperate measures. I guess you could say he nods but not anymore.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3zJ0-qQzELU/UMV0AvnXcQI/AAAAAAAAH6I/khlCAJ7cWA8/s1600-h/IMG_7638%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7638" border="0" height="457" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-r1VkUdZvcvo/UMV0BagqqCI/AAAAAAAAH6Q/8tAa4Y8uRKk/IMG_7638_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7638" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gross me out!! What the heck are these things? Don't have a clue, but they are dead now.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HBF5EVcpmXk/UMV0Cl_OJWI/AAAAAAAAH6Y/12ptncSktMg/s1600-h/IMG_7639%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7639" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Cf495Ba9-gM/UMV0D_Osk6I/AAAAAAAAH6g/Cb52gtt5M9E/IMG_7639_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7639" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uh-oh, looks like armadillo is back. Everything was fine in the front garden. The back garden has been invaded!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-a5wER242YhE/UMV0FC_MxWI/AAAAAAAAH6o/7nreDtWiwwo/s1600-h/IMG_7642%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7642" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ymbuU_MJd6U/UMV0GAv_C9I/AAAAAAAAH6w/swDM4AC0kEk/IMG_7642_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7642" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Handsome 'Louis Philippe'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JqjWbtE6fOw/UMV0HmHIJRI/AAAAAAAAH64/m9aFYvCbjt8/s1600-h/IMG_7653%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7653" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-celhYqWZ7oY/UMV0Iq66xOI/AAAAAAAAH7A/GifWrgMwA7c/IMG_7653_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7653" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Touchy, touchy! Never has a Tea rose responded this way to being moved by me. This is 'Alexander Hill Gray', and he's scaring me. I hope he's just trying to be funny.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0XJTg7zud28/UMV0JwMfBXI/AAAAAAAAH7I/KCzdIXT92yE/s1600-h/IMG_7656%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7656" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aDy7utcLn-o/UMV0K5dqLhI/AAAAAAAAH7Q/vMD2tgT7SsE/IMG_7656_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7656" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'General Gallieni' buds - a Tea rose that was bred in France in 1899.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3fml2FaOdRI/UMV0MOIlf9I/AAAAAAAAH7Y/mLB5K-N78_Y/s1600-h/IMG_7657%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7657" border="0" height="289" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hv0zdEpi3mE/UMV0NmTxm0I/AAAAAAAAH7g/kevUGNpD89U/IMG_7657_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7657" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I took a chance and order these hydrangeas as 4" pots from Park Seed Company. I was quite pleased with their size and health upon arrival. I potted them on into one-gallon pots right away. Hopefully, they'll be ready to go into the ground come spring.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--s2QjLmpuuo/UMV0O1SNSKI/AAAAAAAAH7o/YACtwzKXDKA/s1600-h/IMG_7663%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7663" border="0" height="431" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIlNO0D9XmhiLCgal1HyY8pi-f80WhFVUwixGGVJW7YRTiU9trPaQ-pHPFll9ChD5NHj4kHQTWEaF1gOUwhBD_yjx2ulPlguyBdP8yClZaxEuH6EFZmoW-2BpnucNV1oINXcrAUyWp-4v0/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7663" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gorgeous 'Reve d'Or', a Tea-Noisette climber bred in France in 1869.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HKhEui8OMr8/UMV0QsgSc6I/AAAAAAAAH74/B1JiJdz-VYQ/s1600-h/IMG_7665%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7665" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-u0DjQHwo2Qk/UMV0RbcXmmI/AAAAAAAAH8A/sLMyGKRamxc/IMG_7665_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7665" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Reve d'Or' again looking quite different with her flowers fully open.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GXkRze4FRVA/UMV0S0P4P7I/AAAAAAAAH8I/3B0eX79XzQc/s1600-h/IMG_7669%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7669" border="0" height="439" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-i1tQB5iXMR8/UMV0T-00oUI/AAAAAAAAH8Q/WXz3uCoKA_0/IMG_7669_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7669" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DH's favorite rose, 'Nur Mahal', a Hybrid Musk bred in the U.K. in 1923.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9NucaGNIMBM/UMV0UwbBrwI/AAAAAAAAH8Y/l77VuipW5vs/s1600-h/IMG_7679%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7679" border="0" height="287" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xEfLJI16vkg/UMV0VrBapHI/AAAAAAAAH8g/1En4y712EWM/IMG_7679_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7679" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's the fishies! Nine of the ten anyway. We've only lost one - to a falling boulder.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OywQTd-Oado/UMV0WmRQZlI/AAAAAAAAH8o/p8rFfzLwnoA/s1600-h/IMG_7685%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7685" border="0" height="255" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ABdX1pGo8jg/UMV0XJliI2I/AAAAAAAAH8w/GinOWB9o-fk/IMG_7685_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7685" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aphids on 'Pat Austin', David Austin's 1995 introduction.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0n9FF32wXf4/UMV0Yc-vFsI/AAAAAAAAH84/A2bf40AP4D0/s1600-h/IMG_7686%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7686" border="0" height="441" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXMgBoyef57OFbhI0VH28XbibRN506qsfJj0EXaxY_CXvSmR6Rt25ZDz4JIok5Gh1hEyioFs7kcevLzqdmACl8hbTdjD4Jk6_7O8G-F5uH9MgnJ-S3MIHdafDYlHAu0wa1PHpYunB9HBU0/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7686" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calling all ladybugs!!! Oops, couldn't wait. I smushed 'em.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oMsbXEzNkpk/UMV0aON4ilI/AAAAAAAAH9I/36gF-k4Qx_c/s1600-h/IMG_7688%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7688" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AyDc6K6t0GI/UMV0axHdLuI/AAAAAAAAH9Q/9e9ZoTuUiNY/IMG_7688_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7688" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ah-ha! There's hope for 'Alexander Hill Gray'!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-A695DjJzHW0/UMV0cRr3mGI/AAAAAAAAH9Y/PDZ6IFYuUwc/s1600-h/IMG_7524%252520%2525282%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7524 (2)" border="0" height="324" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zQQ8AD9g-_0/UMV0dQwQG2I/AAAAAAAAH9g/1gpZT5NfkQE/IMG_7524%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7524 (2)" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some things are worth seeing twice. I hope you agree. Can I buy a billboard for this one??? And put it across the street? So I can still see it when the flush is over.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uo7HW8FH_c4/UMV0eTHcAJI/AAAAAAAAH9o/nLiR4b71fMk/s1600-h/IMG_7594%252520%2525282%252529%25255B4%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_7594 (2)" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-r_C3XHWnCzE/UMV0fYdEMjI/AAAAAAAAH9w/Pg3V4fb0Hss/IMG_7594%252520%2525282%252529_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_7594 (2)" width="644" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Le Vesuve' again. Before I realized his problem was the crowding companion plants I was going to replace him with 'Belinda's Dream', but I just couldn't do it. He's definitely worth nursing back to health.</td></tr>
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Work continues in the garden despite my lethargy. I’ve got a few more new roses to plant – one in the ground, two in pots, two roses to move, and a handful of daylilies to plant. Little by little it will all get done so I can start making cookies. </div>
sherryocalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06367991971551038582noreply@blogger.com9