Our yellow banksia -- R. banksia lutea -- blooms right through the year in our coastal climate -- only stopping in really hot weather. Our R. banksia banksia, by contrast, will only very occasionally put out some small repeat. Fortuniana scatters bloom here, right through the year. (Note that nurseries in SoCal have long sold Fortuniana as "White Lady Banks.") Jeri

I've thoroughly enjoyed reading about all of you and your age and what you are all doing. It's sort of like a getting to know you thread. I'm 37 and I had a total knee replacement when I was 30 after a reconstruction from a bone tumor I had as a teenager fell apart. I was told I'd be restricted physically after the first surgery 20 years ago. Isn't it funny how when you're told you can't do something, it makes you want to do it all the more? After I finished college, I got a great job that is on my feet and traveled. I got married and had a baby. I never felt restricted at all until I was pregnant with my 2nd and my knee completely fell apart. Had an arthroscopy shortly after giving birth and was given the news that I needed a replacement and I'd probably have trouble walking the rest of my life. Well, that was just not an option and I sought out a doctor that could fix me, and he did. It was a tough year of rehab, but once it was done, I was ready to be active again, return to work, care for my babies. Once again, I had to prove that doc wrong, and after I completed my first triathlon, I sent the doctor who told me that a note and a pic of me crossing the finish line. I'm doing my 3rd tri next month. My only restriction is running, so I sort of jog/power walk the running part. And the only reason I restrict myself is not because I can't run, but I'd like to get more years out of my mechanical knee. I stay physically active because my family medical history is abysmal, my father died suddenly of a heart attack last summer, my mother is hypertensive, her mother had heart disease, and the list goes on and on. I don't plan on slowing down at all, I want to keep my heart healthy. Oh and thanks to Gibby, I am hooked on yoga now as well, she recommended a yoga video to me a while back, and now I can't get enough of it.

School is in full swing for me ... back to school night this week - papers to grade from all 6 classes I teach! DS graduated from college in May and starts his "real" job in Oct. but has moved home so he "we" are trying to find room for all his stuff after living away for 4years!! (He worked at summer camp for kids with disabilities &leaves again in Oct for 2-3 months training so doesn't make sense to continue renting when he won't be there). Meanwhile ... trying to participate in a couple lotto exchanges & birthday blocks. Local quilt group starts up again this week so am anxious to see everyone - we take off June/July/Aug. Am also working on borders for queen-size quilt. I am also trying to find time to go "test-drive" some long-arm quilting machines & frames. DH said go ahead (within $$ reason) but not sure where to start! It's been a strange summer/early fall in Colorado & my tomatoes and raspberries are JUST starting to get ripe! Eating both as fast as they come on so haven't had to deal with canning/freezing yet! Sue

Summersrhythm, I love the fat buds on your Alpenfee! For the rest it differs too much from what I see here for it to be the same rose. Whereabouts did you find it? Rosesmi, do you have any pictures of the ones you find? I wonder if they are the same rose. Ratsdoghead, your "Baboosic Rose" is gorgeous. If not a twin brother to mine, then at least they are kissing cousins ;-). I wish I could give it so much room. I did not notice fall foliage before, but I might have a surprise like you had later in the year. I have Graham Thomas's book The Old Shrub Roses. He does not really deal with R. virginiana plena, but on the second last page he says: "I might go on selecting other individuals in the great wealth of strange roses, such as Rosa virginiana plena, an exquisite flower known as 'St. Mark's Rose' or Rosa rapa", and to top it off, when discussing the alba rose 'Celeste', he says: "Apart from Rosa virginiana plena and ... I know of no rose of such exquisite charm when unfurling its petals". So, R.v.p. growers, our roses can hold their flower heads high! ;-)