v1rtu0s1ty, I, too, was impressed by Susan's picture of Exquisite. Exquisite is a standard zinnia variety, and its seeds are available from a number of sources. Some seed racks might have it, and Exquisite zinnia is listed by Burpee, and probably by some other online or hardcopy seed catalogs as well. Zinnias exhibit considerable natural variation and, if you grew a grouping of them from a seed packet, you would probably see one or more individual specimens that looked particularly good to you. If you marked your favorites in some way (a bit of colored yarn tied onto a stem might do the trick) you could then identify which seeds to save in the Fall. Then your personal seeds would probably perform better for you than seed packet seeds. Exquisite has fairly wide spoon-like petals, while my personal preference is for narrow petals that produce an open flower that you can sort of "see through", like this one. However, I have had some specimens with extra wide petals that give a zinnia bloom an almost rose bloom look, and I like that too. When you are saving your own zinnia seeds, you have the opportunity to pick what appeals to you. ZM (not associated with any product or vendor mentioned or linked)

There is also indication in the literature (findable on Google) that it does something permanent to the smooth muscle; here is a quote that does not appear to be copyrighted: "Newsgroups: alt.folklore.herbs Subject: feverfew: effective but possibly dangerous From: MORAVCSIK.CLIPR.COLORADO.EDU (Julia Moravcsik) Date: 15 Jun 1995 17:52:31 GMT I looked up feverfew in Medline and would like to report what I found there. If you aren't interested in medical experimentation as it applies to herbs, you will probably not be interested in what follows. The good news (for migraine sufferers): I found two double blind experiments looking at the effectiveness of feverfew on migraines: The first one used 72 migraine sufferers. Half got a capsule per day of feverfew, the other half got a placebo. There was a significant reduction in the mean number and severity of migraine attacks. The other experiment looked at 17 migraine sufferers who normally ate feverfew to control headaches. They gave placebos to some and continued the feverfew with others. The placebos increased frequency and severity of migraines. The bad news: Feverfew affects the smooth muscles of the body. These are muscles that control much of your involuntary muscular processes, such as the vascular system (blood vessels), digestive system, internal organs, aorta, etc. From what I can gather from some of the abstracts in Medline, feverfew PERMANENTLY affects the ability of these smooth muscles to contract and relax. Here are some snippets from the abstracts which looked at this: "(Feverfew)...inhibits smooth muscle contractibility in a time-dependent, non-specific, and irreversable manner." "(Feverfew)...affects smooth muscles...may represent a toxic modification of post-receptor contractile function in the smooth muscle...effects are potentially toxic" "...inhibition of eicosanoid generation is irreversable" "...irreversable loss of tone of precontracted aortic rings...inhibited ability of acetylcholine to enduce endothelium dependent relaxation of tissue." What does this all mean for the long term health of those who take feverfew? That does not seem to have been looked at yet; these articles were very recent. However, I think that people who take feverfew should know that they may be permanently affecting the smooth muscles in their bodies and may want to take this into account when deciding whether or not to continue taking it. " I'm not certain what this implies but maybe some others on this board can tell us. There are quite a few testaments to feverfew on the internet by migraine sufferers; maybe the effect on smooth muscle is part of the reason.

Happy Patriot's Day! April 19, 1775. Have any of you read, "April Morning" (Howard Fast, I think) I ruminated on the puzzler while moving more rounds of firewood, noting the advance of spring, clipping back some brambles, and watching the line of cars pass my house. I came to the realization that the minus the first letter the remaining letters read the same forward and backward. But I lacked the presence of mind to move the first letter to end! Guess the CIA won't be calling to put me on code cracking duty any time soon. :) And spring is advancing on the Compound. I've finished getting the rounds out of the woods just in time, the ferns are beginning to send up the fronds and I'm holding out hope that not too many of them have been trampled by zealous arborists! The ferns are probably my most favorite feature, so easy, so reliable, so hardy... and they make a perfect clubhouse for kitties and curs on very hot days. The little Trout Lilies are sending up mottled leaves and the wild LOV and some other darling spring ephemerals will be up soon. I concur with Deanne that we are in dire need of rain. It's been well over a week since the last soaking and it's amazing how quickly things dry out when there are brisk winds and plants are starting to put on lots of seasonal growth. The big tree that was taken down (the one I've moved piece by piece, lol) was largely rotten and had voluntarily shed a few big branches last year. I was unsure what to do with large pieces of pretty dead wood and then it hit me: soak them in the pond and then place them in and around the old tree as "reefs" for moss colonies and possibly housing units for salamanders! My goal is the clean up the surrounding woodland areas to a moderate degree, removing piles of brush that have been started and abandonned by the spousal mess-maker so the lay of the land and natural flora can be enjoyed with relative ease. I hope my idea works, I'll definitely be out there collecting spores and mixing up a potion of moss and butter milk to pour over the soaked wood. :) BIL came over for a walk about yesterday afternoon and casually remarked that Rex doesn't run off on me nearly as much as he does the helpmeet. Hehehe, no kidding. He wondered why. I spend lots more time on basic obedience with that fool dog than does the helpmeet. And interestingly, in general I'm much more engaged with the dog when we're outdoors. I talk to him, call him over to me frequently, put him through his paces, and give him a microscopic treat as a reward. I keep a ball at my side and periodically toss it for him and then call him back to my side, before releasing him and allowing him to carry it off to Sanitary Ridge to "guard" it. Last week we had what I'm chosing to regard as a minor success. I was in the woods, the dog was in the circle watching the road. I should have insisted he was closer to me but I wasn't paying full attention (bad me!). Anyway, a neighbor walked by with her Pug. Rex got up, grew the Mohawk and barked once. I told him to stay and he looked at me for a long moment before succumbing to temptation and trotting over for an unescorted "looky-see". I waved and called to her and began walking over to collect the dog. Now, he didn't do what I'd commanded, but he DID look to me when I called to him (this is huge), AND he didn't take off at a gallop barking wildly, either. He simply sniffed the Pug gently and sniffed her offered hand. And happily followed me back into the yard when we'd finished chatting. On her return trip he remained in a down/stay in the circle while I continued working some 40' away. And there is no more explosive barking when he's in the car and sees a dog on the side of the road. At least when he's in the car with me. ;) I would definitely throw in the towel if I didn't measure success in incremental units. And lastly, lovely to see some sign of life from Deanne. Good to know the assault on your stomach has abated and you've emerged none the worse for wear. I hear ya on the dry conditions and there is vole damage here, but the extent of it is still largely unknown. I'll be thinking of you next to your driveway when I'm uncovering the back gardens. What's new in the painting world these days? And I'm delighted that Doug is finding his new job acceptable and enjoys the people. That's a big plus! Doobie under the rose is the picture of relaxation. There is nothing I like more than working around the yard and having the pride come by for a visit every so often. Even when they're "bearing gifts". The Sweet Peas are so delicate and pretty in the jaunty blue and white vases. Something on that order will really look great next to a claw footed tub in the outdoor bath area. ;) I agree that a trellis is a perfect gift. And a clematis will be the perfect way to decorate it, Michelle. Oh and I found a garter snake (about 18" long) yesterday and picked him up just for you. I am really working hard to get over that insanely foolish fear of them since none of the native species are venomous. I confess, though, I'd be hard pressed to pick up one that's pushing garden hose diameter. ;) The helpmeet is watching "Wall E" and has remarked that he bears an uncanny resemblance to his wife in his dedication to "cleaning up". I can see I'll have to watch that one later on!

thanks everyone :) Actually the peeing Pit (Luke) isnt mine, lol. He belongs to my sis. The solid GSP (Daisy)is mine, & the ESS (Duke) is mine. The little Pit puppy (Jade) I had given to my sis. She was there there that day to pick her up..was my last day with the puppies..was sad. O duh, there are no pix of Duke in that batch, lol. Karma, you can keep the rain!! My yard has been so wet and swampy the last month or so, I can't even deal with it. Caren, ooo, what kind of palms?? Lucy, hon, I NEVER wear gloves. Cant stand 'em. I need to feel what I am doing! So I'm sure I probably grabbed that bag, right where he peed on it, threw it over my shoulder, and probably with my luck, had the pee spot touching my neck, lol. Was decent here yesterday b4 the rain snow mix started coming down. I was outside till it started, trimming trees, and I cut a couple smaller mulberry trees down..shhh dont tell DH, lol. I cut up & hid the evidence b4 he came home! I dont know why he likes those stupid trees. Theresa, the MG tree is lavender. But the first blooms were white, the more blooms it got, the darker the color got. I wish I had pink & white too..gotta work on that. I'm glad your fishies are still alive. Did your MOO flower? thanks again, everyone :) Can't wait for the new season to start and take a million more pix, lol.