Ricky, I apologize for the lateness in posting but I also have been battling my own illness in the hospital for the past three weeks and was just released today. Even in the hospital I knew something was not right. I was extremely restless and edgy and catching up on mail today I now know why. I will always remember the way Karen made me feel welcome and a part of your home. I can still hear her laughter and see the love that shone in her eyes whenever she looked at you. You are most correct when you state that Karen was a most unique person. I just wish I had had the opportunity to get to know both of you better but my life will be forever blessed and enriched by the brief time we spent together. I agree that there will be tears and believe me many of them. There will be times when the smallest event triggers memories that shake you to your core, but there will always be those special moments when you feel her near you, smell her scent in a room and hear her whisper quietly into your ear. Your life will be enriched by dreams and special moments when she will be with you in spirit and though we should always celebrate the life a person lived there are times when we as humans find it almost impossible to carry on. I have been facing my own mortality over the past week and it is difficult to realize that life is passing me by and what do I have to show for it. I have not traveled a lot, I do not have family that consider me close and I have a handful of friends, but I know that somehow somewhere I have touched someone�s life and that gives me comfort. I am thankful that you had so many years together and that you promised Karen to continue living and enjoying life. She would most definitely desire that of you. I would love to read whatever stories you wish to share about Karen and laugh along with you. My heart goes out to you along with my prayers for strength to find solice over the weeks to come. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful and wonderful trobute to a most wonderful lady. Can you please pass the tissues now. Hugs, Linda

Hi Carol, Yes your box did arrive and let me share with Everyone what I received! The plants look great! Our temps have been really chilly, I've been afraid to send anything 'live' lately. The heuchera's my favorite, I love the foliage! Cranberry & Pear bath soak (I need a few hours to revive, LOL) Gardening gloves (always need these) Fridge pad of paper w/magnet (paper never lasts in this house, we always need it) Rain gauge (really neat, I've always wondered how much rain we get with our crazy weather) Cute picture frame (Daughter ran away with this) Package of plant markers (I always need plant labels) Jap Iris/blue (love Jap IRIS) Asiatic lily (love Lily too) This is going by my Mom's house in her landscape Heuchera with reddish leaves (another one for my Mom's house) Earring set with earrings (Daughter ran away with these too, LOL) Sweet pea body lotion set/gels (I'm hiding this) fruit delight (looks so yummy) Pink sweet pea candle (smells wonderful) Nice notebook (I need this by the computer desk) Journal, photo frame (Daugher ran off with these) Chai spice tea (Never tried spice tea, sounds really good) purple elephant (MINE, LOL) I'm putting him in my car, let's see how long I'll have him. ;) Thank you Carol for such a wonderful box! I loved everything you sent! This swap was so much fun! Better make this short, It's so late and I'm jumping in the shower to try Carol's shower jel, yummy smelling lotion! Hugs, Deb

Jayeanne.... Your envelope is in the mail and "should" be delivered on Saturday. I have the tracking number should it be needed. Here is a poem about October for all to enjoy... soon we'll see November and its cold winter stay: October's Party - George Cooper October gave a party; The leaves by hundreds came- The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples, And leaves of every name. The Sunshine spread a carpet, And everything was grand, Miss Weather led the dancing, Professor Wind the band. The Chestnuts came in yellow, The Oaks in crimson dressed; The lovely Misses Maple In scarlet looked their best; All balanced to their partners, And gaily fluttered by; The sight was like a rainbow New fallen from the sky. Then, in the rustic hollow, At hide-and-seek they played, The party closed at sundown, And everybody stayed. Professor Wind played louder; They flew along the ground; And then the party ended In jolly "hands around."

Over the weekend I read Web of Evil by J.A. Jance. It's about a woman who's in the middle of a divorce so that her husband can marry his very young, very pregnant fiancee. He is murdered and, of course, she is the prime suspect as his will has not yet been changed. Good one, with lots of twists and turns. Yesterday I read Bless Your Heart, Tramp by Celia Rivenbark. It's full of sassy, sarcastic southern humor and it a quick, entertaining read.