Florence, Thanks for your lovely comments as always. I'm late again with posting the pics, it's been a busy couple of days here. Just so I don't disappoint, I didn't get pictures of his operation, just my rose plant. I would have loved to show everyone what a neat and tidy operation he has with some pictures, but I didn't feel comfortable taking any, having just met him. I'm sure he would have let me, but I didn't want him to possibly wonder what I might do with the pics. Anne, Yes, come back to Wisconsin anytime, at the border just tell them Brother Cadfael sent you. If you haven't been here in awhile, I'll have to show you the secret handshake.;^D I know what you mean about collecting roses from around the country, I'd love to do that, but we'd never have enough room in the car when we go on trips for a rosebush. Serenasyh, Thank you, thank you. You're welcome for whatever meager help I offered on those threads. Your comments make me feel as though I have a halo on my head.;^] Likewise, I've often posted on here about how we should start a utopian rose society, or wish that I would win one of those really big lottery jackpots so I could buy a couple thousand acres in a perfect rose environment, build us all our dream houses, help each other with our dream gardens, and build some great friendships and memories... but that's all too perfect, isn't it?:^] Terry, It's funny you should mention Pink and Red Intuition; as I was touring his operation, I noticed them and told him that those were the only other HT's I am currently interested in, (I have 'Dainty Bess' and 'La France' - I used to have 200 HT's), and that I would probably order them from him next season. He said he was ALREADY sold out of those two for next season, and that he could run his business on sales of those two roses alone. As far as the varieties he grows, stupid me, I meant to put the link to his website on my original message and I forgot. I put the link below. Maryl, In your zone, I would think a maiden would do well for you. True, it may take 18 months for a maiden to be what we're used to getting, but like you said he has some great varieties. Susan, That's how I remember who I want to try buying from too. (: Diane, Thank you. Shannon, How was your weekend getaway? Did your host look at you kind of funny when you took a 2' tall rose bush to your room?;^D Hopefully they had a pot ghetto for transient rosebushes.;^P Your husband was a saint, he even seemed genuinely interested in what we were rambling about, and I was so happy to be talking roses with someone face to face, that I would forget to politely include him most of the time. No, no, no, I did not get a "crappy" 'Night Owl', "in return", because the original deal was to just find a home for MF... that I did, AND I got a 'Night Owl' to boot!!! Shrewd as an arab trader I am! ;^P Yes, it has to be 'Lilac Rose' if your specimen looks the same and has the same scent as mine. I just don't understand why he named it that. It seems the equivalent of naming a cat "Fido" if you ask me. You are a high-jacker, but be careful how you use that word, or you'll have Homeland Security at your front door... and sniffing your roses. It might go something like this: HS: Ma'am, what's the name of this rose? You: It's called 'Lilac Rose'. HS: UP AGAINST THE WALL LADY!!!, THIS ROSE IS NOT LILAC!!! Yep, all the evidence they need to prove you're part of a sleeper cell.:^D It was great to meet you and Steve and I recommend that if anyone else has the chance to get together with you, that they do so. Thanks Everyone, Rob BC:) Here is a link that might be useful: Wisconsin Roses

Lucy, how I can relate to your statement of "Just a mother's heart hurting for her child." Yesterday was also such a day for me. My DD was in a car accident. Thank God, she was not seriously injured, but her neck and back are hurting. The x-ray showed no broken bones. She was returning to the office from picking up lunch for my GKs, their friends and her colleagues when a lady came out of a side street trying to cross the street. My DD didn't have time to stop and pretty much hit the driver's side. Per the paramedics, the other lady was fine, but would also be sore. There was a fireman driving behind my DD so he witnessed that it was not my DD's fault. I found out about the accident at noon when my GD called asking if I had talked to her mom. At that point, there was very little information about the situation or even which hospital they took her to. Through times like this, all I can do is give thanks to my Lord for His mercies. Lucy, I pray that your DD will find an even better job than she was working towards. I know you will enjoy having her around.

I've got thirteen to set for the spring, about eight inches tall now. Two of them had slightly burned leaves so I brought them all back in for the next week. I'd rather they stay outside but I don't want to lose them while I'm giving the existing plants a chance to give me another 30-40lbs of fruit over the next 10-14 days before I yank them. Tom

Reminds me of my brother. He was older, but should have known better. He tried to nail something in the back of his bedroom door and chipped the paint. Went down to the basement, got some paint and tried to "fix" it. Spilled paint on the wood floor and then cleaned the brush in the bathroom sink. Only problem was - it was oil-based deck paint. My mother was fit to be tied. I don't think he sat down for a week!