Coffee Break # 96

Unfortunately lot of cancers are affected by smoking not just lung...my sister has ovarian cancer and doc came right out and told her if she didn't quit she would die...brutal truth. I never in a million years thought she would quit but she did and hasn't gone back to them, it's been a year and a half. I quit the year after my mom died, that was 28 years ago, so glad I did.

I understand people older than I smoking, but not younger. We learned of the I'll effects in school.

Warnings started decades ago.

Now you're telling my age

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L456XAGarqc

Yes - too true!

My eve. on tonite has been a combination of joyful gardening & other busy plans for (finally cold spring zone 4 & 5 zones) to get stuff into the ground & now hotter than heck. And untold grief for the mega lives & homes torn from their personal memories all over tornadoe alley in the mid-east/west heading in all diections like fireworks. (And selfish wish that I might get a camera & know what's what to share a few photos that make me drool like all here, & what so many here are continuously try to make into their percieved home garden of "Eden."

If not too personal, would like those that wish to, what is your summer gardening age in 2013. And what gardening mags. might you subscribe to? And your favorite gardening center some less than 20 miles from your home where you are happy to purchase. Or a great cat. source at a distance from your home. This you can send me personally & I know Dave's has a personal area to compare positive or neg. remarks from sources all over the country.

Just curious as my purchases are all in CT. for favorite anns or pers from NE or at closeby Agway (ourta CAN. 1 yr. old or new starts).

My great niece said she could hear one of the tornadoes. Less than a mile away. Lots of tree limbs down and debris and yard flooded, but they are okay, so all is good with her anyway. Thankful!

Just horrible for those folks.....

A message about local news--our paper says the local Lexington Garden tours are today. Tickets for sale at the town Vistor's center.

Good day to take it easy.....I ran errands all morning.....now I'm sitting down with an iced latte & a mystery book....

Sounds good. Turns out the Garden tour today was the grounds of Lexington HS. We spent about an hour learning about every tree and plant this dedicated group of volunteers has planted as well as how they finagled some donations. They had some reticulated lilacs, Sieboldii viburnums that were tree-sized,a new boardwalk and lots of blueberries nearby, a brand new Zen rock garden where there used to be a mud pit and other neat stuff. They had a bias, as do I, toward planting native plants. I gave them fifteen dollars which is all I had with me, at the end of their sale, for a large cranberry viburnum, variegated Solomon seal, cleome, helianthus, and white columbine-- money to support their hiring of high school kids to beautify the property.

Tours by the Lexington Garden Club featuring seven gardens are on June 8 for $20 in advance, $25 on the day, rain or shine. I bought my ticket. I've never been able to go before. Anyone free to go ?

A garden at the high school is just wonderful! I helped put one in the year after I retired, went back to help take care of it for a few years, but after the fellow who had the idea retired, no one recruited the kids...no pay....no interest...so I didn't go back. Have not seen the garden in years even though I pass the HS frequently......you have to actually go onto the property & down a long flight of stairs.

This grounds work is better than I expected, and it is perpetuating with new generations of parents and kids working on it. Some colleges don't have it any better with their grounds. I felt the kids were lucky to have the trees and shrubs around them.

I think so, too.

we had a very loud little peeper on our deck the other night - hard to believe such a little frog could make such noise calling female frogs - got a picture of the little guy will post at some point.

You're so right, Bill! The tree frogs this year are the loudest I've heard!

My niece posted this and I couldn't help but laugh my butt off!! Please don't be offended......

Born & Raised in Maine
This one made me laugh hard!........ God made Maine!

Once upon a time in the Kingdom of Heaven, God was missing for six days. Eventually, Michael, the archangel, found him resting on the seventh day. He inquired of God, "Where have you been?"

God sighed a deep sigh of satisfaction and proudly pointed downward through the clouds. "Look, Michael, look what I've made."

Archangel Michael looked puzzled and said, "What is it?"

"It's a planet," replied God, "and I've put life on it. I'm going to call it earth and it's going to be a great place of balance.

"Balance?" inquired Michael, still confused.

God explained, pointing to different parts of the earth, "For example, northern Europe will be a place of great opportunity and wealth, while southern Europe is going to be poor. The Middle East over there will be a hot spot,"God continued, pointing to different countries. "This one will be extremely hot and while this one will be very cold and covered with ice."

The Archangel, impressed by God's work, then pointed to an area with mountains, lakes and forests, "What's that one?"

"Ah!," said God, "that's Maine, the most glorious place on earth. There are beautiful beaches, rivers, lakes, and Mountains. The people from Maine are going to be modest,intelligent, and humorous, and they are going to be found traveling the world. They will be extremely sociable, decent hardworking, and high achieving people, and they will be known throughout the world as diplomats and carriers of peace."

Michael gasped in wonder and admiration, but then exclaimed, "What about balance, God? You said there would be balance! Everyone and everything seems so totally perfect in this place you call Maine!"

God replied wisely, "Wait until you see all the idiots I'm sending them from the rest of the world every summer."

Good one, Celeste. And many people of Florida say the same thing about the Snowbirds.

And then there's my stepson, a Maniac living in Florida! Actually, I'd love to do that, best of both worlds!

Me too.

Well, I know a cute little house for sale in Florida! LOL. That's funny, Celeste! And yes, some Florida people look at snowbirds just that way too.

We have just returned to the farm after being away for 10 days. Man, do I have my work cut out for me outside! I was thinking I could rest up here, but noooooo! It is really pretty though....or will be when the grass gets mowed and you can see the gardens. LOL. I seem to be behind in everything these days, including checking in here and getting caught up on all the threads. Our streak of company and big reunions is almost over and hopefully I will be in touch and functioning more up to par again. I'm going to see my friend and our girls' groomer shortly. After 6 months of horrific chemo to prepare her husband for surgery to remove a mass in his chest, the doctors scheduled surgery in Boston since they felt recovery was probable after surgery. We saw them on Sunday night 10 days ago, and the next night (the night before surgery) he was killed in a freak accident with a gun while his parents were visiting. I am still feeling the shock of it, and I cannot imagine how my friend is coping. She called me in CT the next morning, and I need some prayers to be able to comfort her in some way. He was quite young, and we were very fond of him. If you are inclined, please add her and his parents to your prayer lists. Thanks!

Oh, honey, how horrific!!! Prayers for you all. Just being you will be a comfort to her, I am sure.


It really is a cute house for sale in FL.

Oh that's just terrible Louise! Prayers being said and sent!!

that is terrible louise - prayers sent

So sorry Louise, prayers

What a horrible thing to have happened.....prayers for the family.

yes prayers going out.. so terrible.. hugs

Gun accidents are so shocking under any circumstances. So sorry to see a young life snatched away. Prayers for Louise for sure, but I'm sure you will know what to say, and prayers for the grief-striken family.

Wow - so sorry, Louise. Prayers for you and them.

Thanks to you all for your prayers. I had to postpone my visit until tomorrow, and I really do need some strength and the right words. I've been "sleeping on it" for many days and nights, and I know that the words will have to just come through me from above because she and her husband have been through so much since December to have it all turn out so tragically after such hopeful news from the tests and doctors. Probably a good thing it has to wait a day; I may feel more able to hold it together for her tomorrow. Thank you again for your prayers. 💔

It's ok to cry with her too

Yes it is...Prayers for you both Louise (((♥♥)))

Sometimes you just have to say that "I don't know what to say" and then hug her tight!

yeah sometimes that is all there is .. no words.. I am sure you just being there for her will help more than you think

Celeste.. tell Brian happy Birthday!!!

I will thank you Allison!

Awwwww, happy birthday, Brian! Miss you. 👋

Louise, I know you will be a comfort to those who need you! Happy, happy to Brian......baking a cake?

Happy birthday, Brian!

That's very sweet, Marilyn, and everyone else....thank you.