Hi JG, It's good to hear from you again, JG. Please forgive me for referring to your "Extreme Roll" zinnias as "Extreme Curl". The word "roll" is much more appropriate for the geometry of their petals than the word "curl". I should have referred back to your messages instead of relying on my memory. Let's have a drum roll for Extreme Roll. Maybe that can serve as a mnemonic for me. "I've got a number of Extreme Roll progeny coming up..it will probably be some time before I see any flowers or can show any photos! And there, I am optimistic... " I am very hopeful that you will get some more Extreme Roll specimens. I have never seen a zinnia like them and, because they are so unique, their flowers have a magical look. I hope they get a permanent place in zinniadom. "I'm finding, too that the topsoil I had in those bags is a terrible absorbant for water...I'll take my garden soil over that any time! Water actually rolls off the growing mixes, too, when they are hot and dry. I wonder why some sort of wetting agent isn't added!" I wonder, too. I have a bag of Peat Moss that I had intended to use for inside gardening, but when it gets dry, it is just like you described. Water sets on top of it in beads. It takes forever for it to absorb the water. I'm going to give up on it and incorporate it in some outdoor garden soil. There is a small flower bed at the front of the house that I think I will incorporate it into, along with a dose of fill sand. I think that Miracle-Gro is advertising some growing mixes that are kind of foolproof, and I think they also have some of those water absorbing crystals and the mix also kind of expands when it gets watered. And it may have a plant-friendly wetting agent. The TV ads for it look kind of enticing. It probably costs too much to use on a large scale, but I can see how it would be appropriate for small high-value flower beds. I am building another compost pile. Weeds and lawn clippings are an almost inexhaustible source of organic matter in this rural environment. Well rotted compost and sand are two of my favorite soil amendments. I mentioned a plant friendly wetting agent. Obviously there are such things. In the past I have used small amounts of Dawn dishwashing detergent in some of my foliar sprays. I am not sure of the chemistry of Dawn, but I have seen them using it to wash oil slicks off of waterfowl, so it is at least "bird friendly". However, some detergents are phytotoxic to plants. Some detergents can act as herbicides. I suppose I should do some experiments with Dawn on zinnias. I currently have some Tween 20 and Tween 80 that I have used in my indoor gardening. They are food grade, so hopefully they are safe to use. But I haven't done experiments with them to determine at what levels they might be phytotoxic. "I finally watered the plants two days ago in anticipation of this very hot spell. I've been conservative with the water because we are on a well. On average, the plants are about 5-6" high now with some trying to put out buds. This is the worst gardening season I have ever seen! " Same here. I have been using a lawn sprinkler on my zinnia patch to keep it from "burning up". And we have a rural well, too, and it will "run dry". When I see the water pressure starting to drop off, I turn off the sprinkler. The well recovers in a few hours. But this heat wave is going to be a continual problem for our well capacity. This close-up of a trumpet-petal recombinant shows the petals in some detail. It is a single bloom, and single zinnias are usually culls for me. But I am keeping this one around because it has an unusual "look". The petals remind me a bit of pitcher plants. That little beetle peeking out of a pitcher petal confirms that this is not a carnivorous plant. I do wonder, though, if a variation of this flower form could develop nutrient absorption capabilities that could produce a carnivorous strain of zinnias. Admittedly, that would be a real "stretch". But zinnias continue to surprise me with their odd variations. ZM (not associated with any product or vendor mentioned or linked)

Nope never am there when they have that. I belonged to two different cycling groups, the NYCC and a small group that meets every Tuesday and Thursday AM at the Loeb boathouse. I used to ride regularly with both of them. I made a number of friends, 2 of whom lived close to DB. We met on the other days of the week and took day trips over the GWB and out to other towns. Had lunch and then came back into town. We usually did 40-75 miles each time. With the NYCC they have lots of planned excursions and I used to do those all the time. Was a great way for me to cycle Westchester and other farther out areas with people that were familiar with the sites to see. I have been a lot of places. You must park and walk on the High LIne the next time you are there. Stop in and shop and get sandwiches. You can lock up the bikes below. It is SO beautiful up there and great views. Go to Amy's Bread in Chelsea Market and you will have fantastic breads !! You can watch the bakers through the windows...I have a bunch of pics...they hammed it up for me when I took their pics :) The Cloisters are amazing. My DH says he doesn't care if he sees anything again up there if we can just go there each visit. It is truly the best most lovely and peaceful place you will visit. The Summer and Spring gardens are just amazing and inside...well...you will see. Hm...I will have to think on what else. I have never been to NYC as a tourist. I arrived in June 2007 and bought a bike within 45 min and have never looked back . Have never been to one "sightseeing" thing in the city. I prefer the real town...like to just go and do and feel. The people are the best part. Everywhere I go I meet folks that are so interesting...concerts...restaurants...red lights while I wait on my bike...you get the picture. It is a place that you have to step off the sidewalk and get into the atmosphere. Nothing like it in the world. But then I guess I am biased. I don't have to live there LOL ! I haven't been lately...circumstances haven't been right. I sure do miss it. DB said my bike is missing me :( c

Me-Me-Me!!! I am right with ya! Furiously is the perfect word. I am taking a break from putting the binding on the 'her' of a his & her pair of quilts. Similar, but different, both 9Patch Pizazz using a wine themed group of different fabrics, but the same backing. I hope to load the 'his' today and decide on the quilting -- and I may need more batting!!! I had forgotten that! Need to check that now! I am also on my 4th quilt to wash - why do I wait until the last minute??? It is cold in my house, so they are slow to dry, as I take them out of the dryer a little damp. 2 Quilts were mailed this week and I just found out the boxes were received yesterday. I want/need to start a new project - if it weren't for Christmas, I would not be disciplined enough not to! I laid out the fabric and prewashed and even picked the thread to quilt it! Sometimes I need to be saved from myself :)

Sorry to hear about the accident, Linda, but so glad it was just minor! Not a fun way to end the day. Looking forward to seeing your mystery quilt when it's completed. Wow, Lois! What a fabulous gift to your friends and family. I hosted a Cookies-n-Cocoa drop-in on Saturday, though I'm pretty sure I didn't have anywhere near 1000 cookies. We're snowed/iced in since late Saturday night. We only have an 1.5" of snow/ice, but it shuts the whole town down, as we don't have the equipment to clear the roads. Thankfully, we have not lost power. There are still about 45,000 without it today. Son#1 made it home from college, and has taken up residence in my sewing space. I may grab a smaller machine to put on the kitchen table, and make some flannel pillowcases for some of the kiddies in our community group. Gotta see what I have in the stash. Otherwise, it will be a trip to the fabric store once we thaw out, hopefully tomorrow. Happy Sewing & Quilting!