Hi Gina...it's NOT in bad taste to see if folks will be bringing certain plants they are looking for. It certainly isn't a secret. I think folks are anxious for people to get things they are looking for at a swap. In fact, some folks set up trades via email beforehand that are separate from the group swap - and put those plants in their cars before the actual big swap begins. (I think Hostalavista and Michigan Betty do that with certain hostas since they are both collectors) I will be bringing some pots of hardy crainsbill geraniums to the swap. Time (spring) will tell me which ones...later on. In fact, I am hoping someone has Achillea Taygeta. I would LOVE a division of that plant. Sounds like there will be quite a few folks bringing their left over winter sown plants for swapping!! Fun! Think sunshine!.......Beverly

I didn't bush-hog today.....DH thought my tractor sounded funny, so I stayed and got semi-caught up in the yard and garden. This was the year I mulched almost everything in the garden, even the sweet corn. You should have seen me (no, you shouldn't!) I crawled between the corn rows on my hands and knees to weed and thin the corn which is now about 36 inches tall. I kept thinking of snakes as I crawled along......We have seen so many this year. I am now watering and have been since 7 am this morning. It will take me 5 days to get everything. Christie, I finally planted all those old flower seeds I had and the zinnias came up overnight practically. I finished today with marigolds, more zinnias, cosmos, rudbeckias and whatever else I had. I am trashing the rest and starting fresh next year. The zinnias are saved from last year. Be interesting to see if I get flowers by planting so late and so hot. I know I will have to water them to get germination. Blooming now, more daylilies, a few shastas, larkspur almost done, two clematis (I think Polish Spirit and Etolie Violette), zinnias (seeded themselves from last year), gaillardias, petunias, stokesia, Annabelle hydrangea, melampodium, salvias, feverfew (I love this plant), monarda Marshall's Delight (and the delight of the hummers), a few geraniums, a few lilies, russian sage (I trimmed it this year and it looks pretty sad), asclepias, and who knows what else! Oh, I forgot my pride and joy: very dark blue delphs. These are from seed and I didn't know for sure the color. Hope they make it through the winter. Something came in during the night and pretty much wallowed my pumpkin patch....I could see dog tracks or something of that nature. Ruined some plants. I wish the garden was fenced. Yolanda, when you get to Ozark, you are pretty close to me. We live just northwest of Springfield. I have often told DH I would love to tour the old southern mansions in La. So far, he hasn't taken me up on it. The 1800's are my favorite period in history and my favorite novels are of the south during that time period and earlier. I sometimes think I was born out of my time. I could have lived the pioneer life. Let's hope for a cool down and more rain.... GD

Shirley, just because you said Lowe's had their bulbs 1/2 off I stopped by ours yesterday on the way home and their's were still full price! Everyone gets such good deals at Lowe's but ours hardly ever puts anything on sale that isn't 9/10s dead. I did need some manure so it wasn't a wasted trip and of course I saw other things I had to have. ;-) Can you please ask the Lowe's manager or your store to train mine? <:d>Theresa, I do the same thing when I look around. It just awes me that I have parts of so many people in my gardens. That's the way I think of it, parts of "them" because they put some much of themselves into growing those plants. My pal didn't post that she got her April package either but I'm sending everything with delivery confirmation so I hope she's getting them. I got a really great package from a trade on a differnt RR today. I've been very lucky with both my RR pals. I love this one too. I look forward every day to coming home and seeing what everyone has to say. Keep posting, it's like being with old friends. Nancy

Many, many hugs and smoochies to my Secret Pal. As always, she sent a box crammed full of goodies. I was out mowing our yard when I saw the mail lady pulling OUT of the driveway (how did she sneak in???) Wellll, put that puppy in overdrive and let's go see what she brought !!! CHOCOLATE,( yes, I am yelling) CHOCOLATE, and boy did I need a fix of that !!! A huge bar of smooth & creamy lip-smacking good stuff. A pair of hand pruners that are going to live in my truck 'cause one never knows when an 'occasion' will present itself. Too many times I have wished that I'd thought to put mine in while on a road trip. They will join the zip baggies that I do carry. A set of spouts to fit on a gallon jug. I used to have a set of these and wore them right out. Handy little items, as most directions say " mix X amount in a gallon." A pair of apple green and white candles, and of course they are apple scented. Very pretty. A damask patterned pillow cover in a luscious, creamy white. Very rich looking. Thank you. She also sent a set of green checkered kitchen towels. They will certainly freshen up my kitchen. And......... the clincher -drum roll...- a THIRD bird wind chime. This one is a Bluebird. Very nicely done and very much appreciated. Thank you Secret Pal for your generous gifts. Marsha