INVITATION TO HELP ENTERTAIN OUR EAST COAST MEMBER

I sure hope to join still.

Have started sending out directions to my home. If you haven't received them and plan to join us, just let me know and I will D-mail you. It will be great to get some of the DG people together again. Sharon

Jan, are you still planning to stay the night at our house?
Any other out of town guests are welcome to stay also. We have lots of room.
Sharon, is there anything I can do to help you?

Jan welcome to the NW! I'm sorry I won't be there .

I am hoping to attend but currently dealing with some extended elder-care, so will have to play it by ear. Dad is 83 and entering a definite decline. He's fallen 4x this month, has a heart monitor to see if that is the problem, seeing a neurologist tomorrow, just started using a walker, and is getting a medical alert button tomorrow. No worries, though, he's had a good run at life - no major injuries or illness, no surgeries, no broken bones, no stitches. Pretty amazing. Per his girlfriend, he is looking forward to meeting up with Mom again (who died in 2008).

I will know after this weekend.

Springcolor,

One of the lilies you planted is blooming! I am doing the happy dance. Hope to see you guys at Sharon's. It will be fun.

Thanks, Sofer. Will miss you.

Getting excited!

Lynn,
Glad some of those made it after the mystery night digger.

bonehead, intact bones or not, I'm most impressed that your 83-year-old father has gained a g'friend in the time since your mother died. That's more initiative than I've displayed in years, and I'm only in my 40s.

I'm looking a little less likely thanks to, of all things, the flooding in Minot, N.D.

Because the Empire Builder train is canceled, I can't come back on the 5th as scheduled but would have to drive 3 days from Sidney, Mont., which would be hard as Jack & I don't like to drive long distances together (neither of us is a good passenger & we hate each other's driving style). So I'll be flying back from Kalispell on the 8th.

All that to say that it might be difficult to remain away from my dog & homestead for one more day after being gone more than a week. (Not to mention that I've been horsing around & need to think about doing some work that will replenish my bank account.) So please don't find me flaky if I have to bow out. It would be with great disappointment.

Ha ha Summer! Yeah, Dad is a regular casanova down at the old folks home. I think he was a prize catch actually (he could talk, he could walk, he could even DRIVE!), and he stayed true to Mom through her Alzheimer's journey (not a fun road). Here he is last year at his birthday party. His GF is very nice, I like her a lot. Mom would have liked her as well.

Yee ha! Plus a good head of hair. I'll bet he's ex-military?

Bingo - Marine drill sergeant.

Isn't that funny, I knew it. My dad too. You can still see it a mile off for some reason.

Sharon and Julie
Coming!!! Need directions. I can find my way to Lynn's house but after that help. Not much of a cook but could bring veggie plate and dip or fruit plater.

I live 5 minutes away from Sharon's house. After Sharon's luncheon, If anyone would like to stop by for a "look see" at my garden, I would love to show you around. Springcolor, YOU have to stop by to see the lilies you planted for me! I will have beverages and cookies, nothing special. If anyone would like to have a few "adult" drinks, and spend the night, let me know so I can plan accordingly.
Sharon, what would you like me to bring to your luncheon? Let's all show Jan just how great our NW hospitality can be!

So looking forward to this.
As we speak, we are sitting in my DIL's sister's house in Redmond waiting for a brake job to be completed. Don'tcha just love those unexpected surprises?
I'll try to bring something for lunch, too.
Central, OR is beautiful! Mtns., canyons, buttes. Very nice! The 90 degree temp yesterday felt great! Much better than the humid heat in Jersey.

Jan, you will be the featured guest and out of your element, so don't worry about a luncheon contribution.
It is hard to believe that we are quickly moving into July already. Julie and I are so far behind in the yards that we are dreading trying to show them off. Our comfort is in the fact that we know everyone else around this area is in the same boat. Oh well, we are getting together for the people, not anything else. Haven't looked at the weather forecast yet, but hope this sunny spell continues. We are almost there!

I am defi itely coming for the friends. Any gardens are just a bonus. Btw, no one I know ever has weeds, just misplaced wildflowers.
We will be going to an area where I WON't be able to get online until Friday night, so, don't panic if I don't post until then.
You have no idea how excited I am.

OK, so Julie and I are doing a couple of egg souffle dishes, one meat and one vegetarian. Whatever anyone else wants to bring is your choice. We are really looking forward to Saturday!

Have fun you guys. I'll be there in spirit!

Jan, I hope your brake job didn't cost you an arm and a leg.

We will see you all tomorrow!
Lynn

Everyone, I'm bringing a ton of annuals geraniums, begonias, Heliotrope. I have them in my plastic greenhouse flats. I would like to keep those so bring boxs if your interested. The back of my Tahoe is full. Went just a bit over the top this year.
Good people,food and plants, just doesn't get any better! See you soon.

The excitement is building.

The brake job went well. Jeff said if it cost under $500 he would be very happy. Then he heard he needed all 4 brakes done, so he was concerned. The guy fit him in around other jobs that weren't emergencies. Jeff about fainted when the total was $506. Jeff was thinking that would be the price for just one pair. He was so ecstatic that he gave the guy a tip.

Have a wonderful luncheon -- was hoping to make it but we too have had vehicle problems. On our way crabbing yesterday (as in gassing up just before launching), I randomly spotted a steady stream of goo dripping under our truck. About face. Looks like the water pump and/or who knows what. Back home, Gary rigged up my Dad's truck to pull our boat and away we go this morning. First time out for crabs (we were in EWa last weekend when it opened) and I'm itching to pull pots. Enjoy the sunshine!

What a glorious day overlooking Mt. Rainier!!!!!
Good friends, good food, and good fellowship. So nice to be able to put faces with names. It makes the time on DG so ,uch sweeter.

Thank you, Sharon, Julie, and Lynn for your hospitality.
It was great meeting everyone.
Anyone who visits NJ is quite welcome to drop in.

Yes, that was a wonderful get together. Martha and I both enjoyed it immensely. The garden tours were great as well as the food! Thanks again to Sharon, Julie, and Lynn for the such a nice time. Thanks to Julia for all those plants.

By the way, we did get to see Martha's close friend who works in Bonney Lake. It was touching to see how happy she was that we were visiting her. She was just thrilled.(She's had some terrible tragedies in her life this past few years and a visit from her friend Martha lifter her spirits a lot.) She also told me that in Zimbabwe, you can garden year round as the climate is very temperate.

Hoping to be able to visit again in the future,
Michael.

What a wonderful day! Thank you So fun to meet more people from DG.

photos?

We had a great time. Here we are on Sharon's front porch, getting ready to go tour her beautiful gardens.

It's always sunny in South Prairie, look at those big grins. Linda, why do you get a drink for each hand, and I have none?
front row: Martha, Linda. Jeff
back row: Sharon, Michael, Jan

Let's get this party started!

Paradise

Whoops. I forgot to give you Paradise.

Walk this way!

I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles.

Jan on the mountain.

Yes, it's another fine day in Paradise.
Jan

It's a magical mystery tour.
One of Sharon's magical gardens.

There's beauty around every corner.
Michael

Lions and Tigers and Bears, OH MY!