If you're in Southern California, visit one of our 6 rock yards to get an idea about what types of rocks are available from a natural stone supplier. If you're a rock lover or rockhound, you'll be in heaven! It's worth taking a look just to be inspired. A rock yard is similar to a quarry in that it has large bulk quantities of stone, but everything is organized in piles and bins that can be easily browsed through or strolled around (or take a golf cart if you don't feel like walking). It's open to the public and safer than a quarry site. There isn't a minimum purchase, so even if you only need a couple of small rocks it's worth checking out. Since rocks are stocked from a number of different quarries, the variety is impressive. But be warned - it's hard to go back once you see the possibilities and options at a rock yard! Best of luck and happy hunting to all in finding the best rocks for your landscaping and other projects!

I'm looking forward to Saturday! mstywoods, I'm saving some dark purple irises for you, as well as the lady's mantle. amester, I'm saving some dark purple irises for you. gjmancini, I'm saving some lady's mantle for you. Skybird, Thanks for the hollihocks! I'll still be bringing those light purple irises.. they're very regal-looking and showy. Also, I'll be bringing some of that catmint. When I thinned out and transplanted my irises last time (Oct 08), I had about a zillion extras, and gave them away to my neighbors and co-workers. Here's a BEFORE shot. Then I dug them all up, washed off their little dirty feet, and separated them. Then replanted about half of them. Here's a RIGHT AFTER shot. And here we are, 3 months ago. Oh....um, oops. As you see, I got some of them mixed up. I think I can pick out the peachy colored ones, if anyone would especially like those. I'll be transporting them the way my momma taught me - bare roots, in a big tub of water. I'll bring ziplock bags so you can keep them wet until you get home. Then, if it will be a day or two until you can plant them, you might want to put them in a big clean plastic bowl with fresh water, just deep enough to keep the roots wet. I'd leave them outside, but not in direct sun. You probably already know the little trench arrangement for putting them in the dirt, but if not , I'll show you on Saturday. Looking forward to seeing all of you!. Betty

I think the best tip so far for here (where I happen to live) is to have breakfast/brunch at a buffet, which WILL hold you till dinner. Then check out some of the nicer places for dinner. Even the coffee shops in the hotels are known to have good food. If you have never been to a Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, I always say it is a must see. Going to Taqueria Canonita and watching the gondolas will be a very relaxing time. The "old town" show is Fremont Street experience. But please, do not walk down there at night. Please take a taxi. I haven't been there in a while, but the show has always been entertaining. Oh...and at the RIO, they have Masquerade in the Sky, which is a free show. I understand it has become a little risque since they re-opened it. Have fun while you are here.

MSN news had a slide show this morning of what might trigger psoriasis: blood-pressure medications !! It's the binder/filler ingredients in pills, such as magnesium stearate which is the culprit. With my 3-years hand rash I finally found the culprit besides my hard-well water: It's magnesium stearate coating on pills, also a component in Nature-Made magnesium pills, and a component in Nature-Made vitamin D tablets. An amazon customer reported that magnesium stearate in Align probiotic pill caused bad rash, so I stopped my magnesium pills ... and no more rash !! I'm taking magnesium oxide powder, which doesn't have the magnesium stearate coating .. so far zero problems, zero rash with magnesium oxide. That's why a few Amazon customers complained about magnesium stearate as the coating/binder ingredient in pills. See excerpt from below link: http://www.listmyfive.com/d1a158f6/The-Top-Five-Red-Flags-of-a-Magnesium-Stearate-Allergy "Magnesium Stearate is a waxy filler made from animal fat or pesticide laden vegetable oils like cottonseed oil. Manufacturers use it in the making of the majority of medical pills, vitamins and supplements today. Mild to severe cases of hives for short and long periods can be due to magnesium stearate. Unexplained itching with small red bumps to big red blotches have been reported from people who have allergic reactions to this unhealthy filler. This can go on for years until the culprit is discovered and eliminated from the diet. Magnesium stearate kills cells when too much is in the body and it can dry out the skin and eyes. Workers that manufacture this useless stearate have to wear protective gear when handling it due to the toxicity of it to the skin." http://www.listmyfive.com/d1a158f6/The-Top-Five-Red-Flags-of-a-Magnesium-Stearate-Allergy