Is that your David? Clousseau really looks like a Clousseau, to me. His face looks like a French gentleman. [g] Amazingly detailed embroidery. I just love that little garden scene. That will make a great heirloom for your kids some day. What a huge pile of cards. So many people who are thinking of David and wishing for his speedy recovery. I am with Marian...I am tempted by the little geranium seedlings too and what a cheery pot of crocus and rainbow socks! I can see why you are so encouraged Mary, you have a lot to be thankful for, for sure!! pm2

I've had Polish Spirit in my yard for about 5 years now. It always grows to about 10 feet, sometimes more. And this is whether I prune it or not. I've never, however, pruned it right before it blooms. My only concern would be that you'll have less blooms. It is possible for you to put in a small arbor rather than the tripod? Maybe wait until the end of the season when they'll be on sale? If you want to try a shorter variety, give one of the new Patio types a try. I have Cezanne and I love it...I've got it growing in a pot with a small 4 foot tall bamboo trellis. It's blooming continuously and from what I gather on this board, it should continue to do so all season. Ciao, OITGAD

Just a bit of trivia, since we cruised into the subject of loaves and fish. Did you know that the loaves mentioned were actually about the size of a canned biscuit? Also, the fish were small, dried whole fish a little bit larger than a sardine. Just about what a small boy would eat for lunch.

My now 14 year-old step GS is/was mean-spirited, even as a little kid. When he was 9, the cops had been called on him many times. Then he broke a window (in custody of other Grandma) and tried to kill his 8 year-old brother with a piece of the glass. He went to kiddie jail for a year and a half, and his little brother came to live with us (with only eight hours notice). Little brother obviously had severe emotional and behavioral issues. Had been diagnosed with Asperger's. Right - NOT! He had never had discipline or consequences, had been severely abused by brother, had never been educated. Then when brother got out of jail, he sexually molested several of his grandma's daycare kids, including his 5 year old cousin. He has now been in a treatment center for several months. Rather than gracefully accept treatment, he has escaped campus, broken a staffperson's arm while wearing a straitjacket, etc. At first he had numerous episodes a day, now he can go for a few days. Prognosis is not good.