Oh man, that is priceless. Thanks for posting.

another thought... prices for plants can vary GREATLY between different geographical areas of the country. EVen from the same store or supplier. Pricing can be vastly different for the same thing. It shouldn't be a big difference for me and Laura, as we both live in the same area, but things can be pretty wild elsewhere. I bought a bamboo palm (Chamaedorea) 2 years ago at a local sale for $7.99 in the 3 gallon comtainer. These palms are extremely cold hardy (to 20 at least) and I had been wanting one for a bit. Now that they have "caught on" nationally and Home Depot is offering them for the whopping price of $69.99!! That is pretty unbelievable to me. Our same local independents have the same palm for $49.99. Prices for other landscape plants can be off the scale as well. We are very lucky to live close to a local grower who sells all types of different alocasias, colocasias and xanthosomas to our 2 local independent nurseries here. I have purchased things like Alocasia plumbea nigra (aka Metallica) in the past, a big heaping full 3 gallon pot, for about $15. I saw the exact same plant in a nursery in Dallas TX that my sister in law took me to for $39.00. I myself used to raise different gingers for the local nurseries when I was operating my nursery, and I can tell you, anything you buy at a nursery is marked up 100%. If I sold them a plant for $5, they charged $10. Unless you go to Home Depot or another box store here, all the orchids are sold by local and regional growers at the independent nurseries on consignment. SO are the bromeliads. We are lucky here to have some great private growers here who sell their stuff on consignment. There is also a local independent food market that sells their things on consignment.

I also try to buy local and organic where possible. This summer has been wonderful. 90% of are veggies and 75% of our meat is from the OSU Farmer's Market or food coop. Just wish the winter produce was as abundant, but a little at a time I am learning how to perserve what we like. Mostly freezing due to time constraints (if only a job wasn't necessary;) Most of the vendor's at the farmer's market welcome visitor's to there farm's and will answer questions about pesticide, antibiotic, etc. use. More and more are organically certified. I question some who use "no pesticides"- what about herbicides? Might not hurt me, but don't like the side effects to other plants. So I try to buy local and organic, then local and near organic, local and conventionally grown, then the grocery store. If something is conventionally grown, why not buy it fresh locally instead of one week old from the grocery store. Of course, it has taken a few years to get to this point, but the more familiar I get with the local sources the easier it is. For those who don't want to join the coop, consider that the coop website has information that will allow you to contact most of the producers. Many give information on how animals are raised or if produce is raised organically. So you can find someone near you in the state and where they sell their products. Many people sell from their farm's or at farmer's markets closer to them. Other's might have their products in a local grocery store like Crescent Market or The Earth in OKC. It is a great resource- especially for those like me who isn't always organized for a once a month order and delivery! BTW- the newest OKGazette just came out today. The issue is dedicated to articles about local food. Paraphasing pedmond "BTW, I'm not a producer for the co-op or any other producer for the farmer's markets, I just like the fact that it provides an alternative to store bought products and the fact that my money stays in Oklahoma to help other Oklahomans." This is a topic I feel very passionate about, so I am glad to see so many of my gardenweb friends talking about it.

Thanks for your gracious comments, "holiday-ers!" Yes, that bittersweet lady was quite a character! ...and I will think of her each time I use this wreath...I hope it dries & keeps for me...glad you enjoyed her story, too! luvs...yes, it is fun to decorate more for the seasons...enjoying this forum so much. OA...I can't remember the name of the dried stuff with the hydrangeas..darn, I needed to write it down. Bought it at the Farmers' Market that DH & I sell at. Thought it was quite beautiful...could be hung, too. The candleholder is from one of the home decorating parties probably 35+ yrs ago...I have loved the look of wrought iron or matte black metal finish for yrs. Can you believe I have 2 of these candleholders that used to hang on dining room wall with black chain draped from one side to the other...and in-between were 3 ceramic "Musketeers!" Must find that pic to share! I made the muskies at ceramics class in the early 70's. ladypat...yes, I bought "plants" ...male & female...& the non-invasive kind...so we shall see, uh? Thanks for info. Thanks nana, frou, lynne, party, punk, karen, jay...passed on compliments to DH, too...appreciated! Hope the bittersweet will come to those who love it! Jeanne S. jane...now on the lookout for a white plate or platter for white dishes on porch top shelf...I knew it needed height...but my turkey platter was too big! Thanks for the suggestion...more shopping ahead! tee hee frou...pic on ledge in the "bat frame" is about 30+ y-o...our kids! A fav pic of mine.