There is nothing like getting filthy dirty, feeling the dirt crumbling under your fingertips, hauling rocks, pulling tree roots and then standing back and looking at the art you created. Since it is ever-changing, there is always something to do and it is completely mindless for me. It allows me to forget everything and just be creative. I find it to be great exercise and therapy. I go inside after hours in my gardens exhausted and sleep like a baby. Then I can't wait to get up in the early am and go see what's in bloom today!

I'm so relieved everyone is checking in and we know who's OK so far. Jay, I'll be looking forward to receiving that package of seeds. Thanks so much for offering to share. It will feel like Christmas when it arrives. I'm trying to pretend February is farther away than it really is because I don't want to think about what is coming then. Beth, I'm glad to hear y'all are OK. I've seen footage from various places in Arkansas on The Weather Channel today and was wondering what was falling at your house. Our local news showed images of bare aisles at the grocery store (bread and milk aisles) and at Lowe's (empty section that once held propane heaters, kerosene heaters and generators). We did our pre-storm purchasing 2 days before the weather hit so we wouldn't get caught up in huge crowds, but we still did get caught in very busy checkout lines. It seems like people here took this storm very seriously and stocked up earlier this time. Jan, That's a lot of snow. I hope y'all do get wet snow or rain in Feb. to moisten the soil for spring planting. I believe that Jay and I both are reading the words of people who are predicting another big blast of a winter storm in Feb., but of course, this far in advance they can't say what the storm track will be or what type of precip. will actually fall. Dorothy, Y'all are so cold there. I think it is only about 30 or 31 here, but precip. has been falling for a day and a half. Most of it fell as rain and the stuff that is falling now is snow. They say our problem time will be tomorrow after the roads re-freeze overnight. I've been watching The Weather Channel and this storm is spread out over approx. 1500 miles and affecting many states. It is just amazing how it has marched across the country, leaving a mess behind. Dawn

Whew! I'm feeling so lucky and relieved! I've been getting blustery winds and rain, but not as bad as I had in T.S. Cindy, which was a strong tropical storm that came right over us. The hummers have been feeding right through - they're not hurt at all! Some of my butterflies emerged this morning, so I've just kept their cages covered so they'll just "hang around" and I'll release them tomorrow morning. I'm think it may be worse for Oubliette and Mimidi than me - I dodged another bullet! Sherry

Amyly Ann, here are some care instructions on found online. Lets not even think about fertilizer right now, the plant doesn't need it yet as it has to recover from all the messing around were are doing to it, and it is in new soil so it is fine on fertilizer right now. http://houseplants.about.com/od/typesofhouseplants/a/LuckyBamboo.htm Caring for Your Lucky Bamboo Light: Lucky bamboo prefer bright, filtered sunlight, such as found under a rainforest canopy. Avoid direct sunlight as it will scorch the leaves. They are more tolerant of too little light than too much. If the plant begins to stretch, however, or the green fades, provide more light. Temperature: Lucky bamboo likes warmer temperatures of between 65ºF and 90ºF. Do not place the plants in front of air conditioning or heating vents. Potting Media: In addition to water, lucky bamboo can be grown in a well-drained, rich potting soil. Keep the soil moist, but not soaking. Water as you would any Dracaena species. The Dracaena genus has provided some of the sturdiest houseplants available today, including the every-popular D. deremensis. These plants, which are native to Africa, have been used as houseplants since at least the mid-19th century and are still popular because they possess the single most important quality in a houseplant: they’re pretty and fairly hard to kill. D. deremensis work as single windowsill plants or as part of a mixed group, with their various leaf patterns complementing and overlapping one another. Growing Conditions: Light: Low light is fine, but they like it a little brighter. New leaves will narrow if there isn’t enough light. Water: Keep evenly moist, although if you have to err, do so on the dry side. (But keeping it too dry will result in brown leaf tips.) Use non-fluoridated water as they are sensitive to fluoride. Temperature: Keep above 50ºF if possible. They do best in the mid-70ºs to low 80ºs. Soil: Loose, well-drained potting mix. Fertilizer: During growing, fertilizer with slow-release fertilizer or use a 20-20-20 liquid fertilizer at half-strength every month. Propagation: They root readily from cuttings. Push tip cuttings into warm soil and keep moist. They will usually root readily without use of rooting hormone. They should root within a month. Repotting: Repot annually into larger pots with fresh, free-draining potting soil. Grower's Tips: D. deremensis is a great plant for low-light conditions, but beware of low humidity. If the humidity drops below 40 percent for an extended time, the tips of the leaves can turn brown. Try misting the plant every day to provide humidity. It’s also sensitive to fluoride and excessive salts, so try to use nonfluoridated water and flush monthly to remove fertilizer salts. Growth may cease completely below 70ºF, but will resume when warmer weather returns. Iron deficiency can result in yellowing leaves between the veins—treat with an iron drench. They are susceptible to thrips and mealybugs.