Best/ worse/ ? did you learn today? #106 visit with friends!

How beautiful....river birch you say, wonder if we have it here...is the bark always like that?

Lucky you to have such a long season for gardening..

You can almost see my gardens grow, weather must be just perfect I guess for plants/shrubs...but, other than a a few flowering shrubs, tulips, now a few iris just opening up, all it green tones...most likely won't be until the end of the month before I start seeing color...ooops, no forgot the lupins are starting to open...

River Birch does grow in your zone, Betty, and so does the Paper Birch, which is very similar. The difference is that Paper Birch likes cooler climates than mine, and the bark is whiter than mine. But either should grow for you, I think. Maybe Paper Birch would be your best choice.
As the tree grows, the bark peels like that, so yes, it does outgrow its skin, and it always looks the same. Its leaves turn yellow in fall. I love the look of it. Sometime a couple of years ago I sent you a picture of a sunrise between this tree and my brick arches. Remember that? It's been a long time, but you liked it then too.

Hello All;

Sharran - your flowers are gorgeous! I love your sitting area!

Seems like there are some Birch type tree's in my neighborhood....I love them but we don't have any more room for tree's....

DH has gone and planted a cedar/cypress and a few palms.....they are the size of the Charlie Brown Christmas tree.....I hope I live to see them at least my height!

Our neighbors must be laughing at us.....

Hey Debbie, Linda Kay, Trisha........

Laura - You Can Do It !!!!!!

Now I'm off to work.....will pop back in a few....

Hugs,
Mary

Boy did I have a busy weekend, then get to work a couple hours late today because I was waiting for the washing machine repair guy, turns out it wasn't draining because it had a sock stuck in the pump! It must have heard me complaining about someone that I wanted to shove a sock in it. LOL!!

Betty you have something I'll never have, grandkids. What a joy they must be!
Dave loved the cruise, said it was the best one he's been on, hands down. That was great news to me! Now I want to go again but he wants to go to Universal Studios in Orlando, FL next year, so YAY another great vacation in the making!
Your MIL must be a shallow person to think you would do that on purpose. Not saying in this case, but most of the time those who blame others would do the same thing themselves knowing it's wrong. Remember I work with someone like that.

Keep this quite, but I am finally all caught up with my work!!!! Woo Hoo!!!!

Wishing everyone a good day.....supposed to be in the upper seventies today....hope to get time to get outside for a bit....

Don't know what is going to happen with neighbor Doris.......her daughter was here last night when she had one of her seizures.....called the medics, but there is really nothing they can do...but at least the daughter decided to spend the night......Doris started having breathing difficulties and they took her to the hospital at around four this morning.....she needs full time care, but does not have long term care insurance so don't how things are going to work out.

MIL is in surgery right now for double knee replacement....so will be up there later today.

Need to get a bite of lunch.....completely forgot breakfast this morning....no wonder I am hungry.

I really ya'll take the time to read all of this babble :)

Oh, I was going to tell ya'll about my weekend. I got up Saturday morning real early thinking I was going to go to the laundromat before the mob, well got busy playing with the vacation pics on the computer and before I knew it, it was 10:30, so there went that idea. Dave got up about that time and we went into town to HD, then to look at 4-wheelers, eat breakfast, and go back home. We swapped out a propane/butane tank for the grill and got the new one home and it was empty, so I had to run back. Since I was by myself I decided I wanted to do some window shopping without the window, so I went to an antique mall to look for a picture frame for my great-great-grandparents and got sick of that real fast, so went somewhere else and got sick of that real fast too, by then it was 90 degrees outside and I was done, so I went back home. David next door had Diana's truck pulled onto the grass in the shade washing it, so we had to play copy-cats and do the same with mine, then Dave went to work and I piddled around the house not really accomplishing much.

Sunday I did get up early, dove into the shower and gathered my work clothes up and went to the laundromat. All I had to do was wash them and bring them back home to dry so they don't wrinkle. Well, after I got them washed and wet clothes in the basket in the car I decided to go to WalMart to look for a photo album for the cruise pictures. Get there and can't remember what size I'm printing but found a very cute perfect album. Didn't buy it, left and went to Walgreens since I have to pass right by it to get back on the interstate. They didn't have anything I liked. Got the clothes home, looked at picture size and the album at WalMart was perfect, so threw my clothes in the dryer then went back to WalMart to get that album. Then around 10:30 or so went out to plant my hostas, ended up talking to Diana at the fence for a long time, then had to look at her flowers blooming, then she came over and helped me plant, another 90 degree day :) Then we had to be in Hot Springs at 3 for my late friend Chris's benefit bbq, that was wonderful but his family needs more prayers, I met his dad and two more sisters, I'll get into that in a minute. We hung out there for awhile, participated in the silent auction, and left at 5:30 as Dave had to go to work, so I continued my margarita fest by myself at home and went to bed.

Now for the bad news. Apparently there's one sister that went into the hospital for a staph infection right after Chris passed away from his infection, she is still there. It's been 3 weeks now. We were standing around and the whole family took off running out the door. Found out later that sister in the hospital's heart stopped and they had to revive her. The dad, Otis, can't take much more, you can see the pain from loosing his wife and 2 weeks later loosing his only son on his face, now one of his daughters, I think there's five daughters total, her kidney's have completely shut down and she's hanging on by a thread. Good Grief.

Sorry this is soooooooooooooo long!

Shar, must go to the nursery and look for one..omg if all the trees I've been planting, red maple, oak tree, maple tree all grow to size I'll feel as though I'm in a jungle, but I would love one of your birch trees...last week at the nursery i looked at the miniature weeping willow but first thing I thought of is they love water, know there is heavy gauge rubber liner in my pond but didn't want to take the chance...do remember the sunrise photo..spectacular!

Mary, think once they get their roots down, they start growing pretty quickly, before you know it you'll be resting underneath a palm tree sitting near that swimming pool of yours thinking you are on a cruise..best you go find a tape that has sounds of a ship...save yourself some $$$....

Crissy, you just solved the mystery, wondered where all my socks go..lordy you have 20 pairs and at least 10 of them don't h ave matches..throw the unmatched away and zammm find the match..now I keep a bag and use them as dusters...

My goodness Trisha, you'd think that having to admit her almost every week due to health issues they'd keep her in regardless...what happens when you don't have long term insurance, surely they don't just send them home to die???

prayers for your MIL..quite an undertaking, both at same time..who will be staying with her..did you have your family meeting? Do enjoy playing outside..light rain here so don't knowif I'll be able to stop for flat rocks on my way home...

OMG Crissy, will add them to my prayers..you wonder just how some people deal with death after death, don't get to mourn the loss of the frist one before another passes on...she's also young I gather? Poor man he must be beside himself...

Sounds as though you kept yourself quite busy as well..sometimes you fill the day doing odds/ends, never stopping but at the end of the weekend you have nothing to show for it?

Oh how gorgeous, Shar! Oh and I sure do love your little sitting area, will be wonderful to sit and be one with nature or write up a storm!
Loved the last of the story...Got to start the new one, looking forward to that.

Hello everyone...

Geesh, doing the not so happy sock bragade today, uggg, help wanted sock matcher...will pay!! LOL.

Anyway Crissy, Wow, I loved all your photos, such wonderful memories of Key West they brought.
I am so glad you and Dave had such a beautiful Cruise! wispering, glad your caught up too...

Mary, glad you like the site for weedwrench! They must be building the thing, as I am still waiting while my weeds get taller.
LOL, Betty..you remember my jungles, well they are trying real hard to come back!

Liz, OH MY how cute your ducks were watching from the roof! LOL...BJ has some ducks too, smiled as i thought of you when they came around...Would believe, I tried taking pictures like 5 time and everysingle time I snapped they would decide to scratch...lol, so this picture is for you! Scratching Duck...ROFLOL. So what are you doing?

Trisha, waving Hello to you...Will keep your mom in thoughts and Prayers this afternoon. Hope the double knee surgery goes well and healing even better. So sorry to hear of Doris,will keep her in thoughts and prayers too.

Laura, best wishes for the not smoking, if I can keep from getting angry spells i might have stayed stopped...One day at a time, tough I know, but keeping fingers crossed for ya.

Tubby, that was beautiful, thanks...and how is your gardens doing..I did enjoy see your new beds.

Betty, how you feeling? I hope your not overdoing... Now that classes are over you can get a good nights sleep.

Oh yeah, Mary...We cater the graduation Parties...It's just easier then manning a grill for so many people. They are held out on the deck, set up batmitten game and well everyone just mingles and celebrates...We also hold it in the early evening, because some people have to work or coach activities, then people can come anytime into the evening...We enjoy a fire with marshmellows for anyone who wants to roast em...thanks for asking.

Waving Hello to Marion, miss you too.

Dawn, been good to see you, your gardens are looking beautiful too.

OK break is over...bbl.
Enjoy the sunshine.

oops forgot the pic for Liz!

Ducks are just too adorable Judy..I still can't seem to get this pea size brain into how that monstrous tool you are getting works..yes I'm hoping you get it shortly before the nosey neighbor calls the municipality again...doesn't take long does it to get overgrown, endless..have you ever thought of putting down the soil cloth, soil on top..did it to the DG Friendshipp garden area and I notice it sure has helped..

Well, we just got the pathology report from the surgeon. She said the nodule was positive as being from the original melanoma. She also said she thought the negative area (amount of wedge she took out) was sufficient. We see her and the oncologist on the 15th and take things from there. Norm's a bit depressed but I'm sure that won't last long. He is still most positive when talking of the long run. Thank you all so much for being my rock. I love you all. Barb

Oh Barb, so prayed the results would be different..not understanding melanoma but her saying the wedge they took has it all, wouldn't that mean that perhaps with some chemo another operation won't be necessary?

Prayers going out to bothof you...

Hello All;

Just a minute or two...then DS following me to get the tahoe in the shop...the A/C went out while on vacation...

Crissy - Please let me know if you have any questions on Universal....! Although I might want to stay in one of their 3 resorts next time...and I know nothing about those. I've enjoyed the Comfort Suites Universal....has 2 Q beds, pull out sofa,Refrig & Micro in room, free breakfast...$75 per night. :)
My prayers go out to your friends...I hope her condition improves. It was contagious?

Trisha - Poor Doris....probably a good thing that the daughter finally stayed the night to see how things are....hope she realizes.....

Betty - LOL! I need to send you pictures of my baby tree's.....I started to say "I'll have GK's before I sit under those trees" but I guess with teens I'd just better not jinx myself. :)

Judy - the weed thing looks like it's for strong tree type weeds....if that's the case then I need one, not MIL. Her weeds are too wimpy for that thing but I could use that.

So - Marshmallow roast and Badmitton....Sounds like a good time! Who is graduating?

Hugs to all,

Mary

Hey Betty. Sounds like you have your days all organized, and in order.
Love the garden, it is coming along very nicely.
I am going to start on some quilt squares for june, and july, so I don't get to far behind. It sounds simple to sew a quilt sqaure, but I need to pry my bottom out of this chair, and get them done!
LK

Betty and Marion, Chris didn't have Staph, it was some other infection. I think he was the oldest of all of them and he was 33.

I would love to go to Key West again. Had a great time there, enjoyed it more than Nassau.

I'm going to check into that. I've been looking a cruises again but Universal Studios sounds very enticing....

Ha! It's proven, she can't be nice, not even for a half a day. We've been nice all day and got to talking about someone's new last name and I said, basically trying to figure it out for myself, "So the maiden name goes last, so my name is Christine Ramsey Whitney." She snapped, "Really??? I would have never known if you hadn't told me!" I flipped her off behind her back, stupid *^*(&^

Crissy...that sounds like my daughter. My three girls are putting me thru the wringer....and I have truly had enough. It has come to the fact I am embarrased to admit I am their mom.

Mary, sounds like your recouperating from vacation with the son. I think our kids would get along great...so close in age, and seem to have quite a bit in common. And they are both so much taller than their moms! haha

Betty, it is cold and nasty here. We have had the wind also, and rain each day. I think I have lost track how many days now. My kids have me so down in the dumps I haven't been doing much of anything.

Shane wanted hotdogs & beans for dinner...fast and easy...so it is in the oven. A side salad and should be good for all.

Debbie

This woman is 58 years old.

We just got some word on Doris......they have been told she will not be allowed to return home or to a partial care facility....that it is mandatory that she be where she receives 24 hour monitoring.......I just pray it happens this time.....and I think since Marilyn was with her mother when these last two episodes took place that it will happen this time....it really scared her....now she knows what we all have been going through.....


My "pond Iris" (the only name I know it by) bloomed late yesterday!!

Crissy, these girls are 18, 23 & 25...old enough to know better. Two got married and now they think they know everything....not that they didn't before when they were teens...but it got worse! LOL

Zhinu...so sorry to hear about Doris, but I think that is the best place for her right now. Its for everyones safety. Her daughter can't be that young if the Mom is in the 90s...to help move her and such would be such a strain.

Debbie - I truly feel your pain! I feel the same way at times. The girls are at visitation.

They are mad and texting DH because I am having a party for the Exchange Students on Thursday. "Going away and Birthday" parties all rolled up into one....

We were going to have it before the girls left...but DD1 told Lina we "couldn't have the Party" for some reason or other....

I felt bad because none of the other parents could host it.....and the kids have all gotten really close to these 2 .....

The Exchange students will be gone before DD's get back.

Oh the Drama !

Hugs,
Mary

Debbie I feel for you, sounds like you have a group of headstrong stubborn women (I say that because I'm one of them :) Just grew up when I turned 30 LOL) I know I've given my mom tons of grief to deal with when I was younger but the older I get the more I enjoy talking to her. Are any of these women Scorpios? I've got to as :)

Drama Mammas! Can't have the party while we're here but have to have the party while we're here!

Trisha & Laura, it does sound like that's not a bad idea. I know it's tough seeing them moved from independence to no independence but sometimes it's for the best. I remember moving both my grandmothers, one 10 years before the other, the younger one went first, she had Alzheimer and thought she was at work after she was moved. The other not so easy, she was 93 years old, deaf and blind, Osteoporosis all over her body, but her mind was as sharp as a tack and she lashed out big time. Once she got in she started singing in the Quire, meeting lots of people, then she was fine. She lived in an apartment for seniors for 30 years, she fought that when we moved her out of her house into the apartment too, oh Lord was she mad, woo hoo!

SO RIGHT Crissy! DD1 was the one to say they couldn't do it....but now they're gone and we're going forth with plans...and DD's are upset....

OH WELL!

Crissy, I about spewed my tea. TWO of them are scorpios...and the third a Sagatarius!

Ever since I lost my mom, their grandma, they go either of two ways. Treat me like I need to be in a nursing home and am dumb as a box of rocks....or I don't hear from them on weeks on end...and everything they do is top secret.

Yesterday they "informed me" that the 18 year olds graduation party is out of my hands and they are organizing it....and the date is going to be changed. Its not good for either of them.

Yeah, its fun being around here.

Thanks for understanding

Now you be careful....you DO have a Sagatarius hanging around here.....LOL!

HA Debbie & Crissy!

Debbie - So they are going to put the party on without you? Sounds like a plan....Less work for you......

The "Foreign Exchange Student" party is going to be Thursday...I know DD's are texting like heck...trying to wreck any plans...but it's happening anyway without them.....

Oh Well...

Hugs.
Mary

oops, this Scorpio is keeping very quiet.....

Hummm Boy Kids..I'm very lucky..I know I'm bragging but my girls are sweethearts

Sharran love the pics..Shirley wants the river birch, they are neat....

Barb keep the faith..I have my good luck hat on for you Norm..

Here is what I've been doing Made 9 coffee can bird house's..Gave one to each DDs..GKids said they needed one at home..LOL
2 Squirrel feeders.. All these are for family reunion..Not done yet, more stuff I want to make

And the garden Here are the taters coming...

The tomato's on the left
Aconr squash in red & blue rings..These were for protection from the wind

We have more tomato's we want to plant..& peppers & the brusell sprouts are ready to get set out...I'm head to the cloneing station tomorrow...LOL

This message was edited Jun 1, 2009 11:34 PM

Smile
---



A man is driving down the road and breaks down near a monastery. He goes to the monastery, knocks on the door, and says, My car broke down. Do you think I could stay the night?



The monks graciously accept him, feed him dinner, and even fix his car. As the man tries to fall asleep, he hears a strange sound; a sound like no other that he has ever heard. The next morning, he asks the monks what the sound was, but they say, We can't tell you.. You're not a monk.




The man is disappointed but thanks them anyway and goes about his merry way. Some years later, the same man breaks down in front of the same monastery.



The monks again accept him, feed him, and even fix his car.





That night, he hears the same strange mesmerizing sound that he had heard years earlier.





The next morning, he asks what the sound was, but the monks reply,


We can't tell you. You're not a monk.





The man says, All right, all right. I'm dying to know.


If the only way I can find out what that sound was, is to become a monk, how do I become a monk?





The monks reply, you must travel the earth and tell us how many blades of grass there are and the exact number of sand pebbles. When you find these numbers, you will become a monk.




The man sets about his task. Some forty-five years later, he returns and knocks on the door of the monastery. He says, I have traveled the earth and devoted my life to the task demanded and have found what you had asked for. There are 371,145,236,284,232 blades of grass and 231,281,219,999,129,382 sand pebbles on the earth.






The monks reply, Congratulations, you are correct and now you are a monk.


We shall now show you the way to the sound.




The monks lead the man to a wooden door, where the head monk says, the sound is behind that door.





The man reaches for the knob, but the door is locked. He asks, May I have the key?




The monks give him the key, and he opens the door.




Behind the wooden door is another door made of stone. Theman requests the key to the stone door.





The monks give him the key, and he opens it, only to find a door made of ruby. He demands another key from the monks, who provide it. Behind that door is another door, this one made of sapphire. And so it went until the man had gone through doors of emerald,...





>...silver, topaz, and amethyst.




Finally, the monks say, This is the key to the last door.



The man is relieved to no end. He unlocks the door, turns the knob, and behind that door he is astonished to find the source of that strange sound. It is truly an amazing and unbelievable sight





But I can't tell you what it is because you're not a monk.


DON'T SWEAR AT ME; I'M STILL HUNTING FOR THE IDIOT WHO SENT THIS TO ME!

Smile
QUESTIONS THAT HAUNT ME!


If you have sex with a prostitute against her will, is it considered rape or shoplifting?


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Can you cry under water?


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How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?


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Why do you have to 'put your two cents in'... but it's only a 'penny for your thoughts'? Where's that extra penny going to?


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Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity?


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Why does a round pizza come in a square box?


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What disease did cured ham actually have?







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How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?








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Why is it that people say they 'slept like a baby' when babies wake up like every two hours?






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If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?





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Why are you IN a movie, but you're ON TV?





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Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?






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Why do doctors leave the room while you change?
They're going to see you naked anyway.







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Why is 'bra' singular and 'panties' plural?







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Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?





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If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a stupid song about him?





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Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane ?





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If the professor on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?





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Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours?





They're both dogs!





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If Wile E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that ACME crap, why didn't he just buy dinner?





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If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?





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If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?





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Why do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?





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Why did you just try singing the two songs above?





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Why do they call it an asteroid when it's outside the hemisphere, but call it a hemorrhoid when it's in your butt?





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Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?





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Do you ever wonder why you gave me your e-mail address in the first place?


Nite all

Tubby, you are such a mess, but you are a sweetheart.

Still laughing.....goodnight Tubby!

Oh my goodness LIZ...the Canna and the Sedum Rosettes are wonderful, but those lemons are to die for!!!!! Anytime you have lemons to get rid of just let us know.....even my husband, who never pays attention to anything like that, commented on how great the lemons are!!! I am in Heaven!!! Pomegranate and Green Tea with fresh mint and fresh lemons that you don't have to use a rock crusher to get the juice!!!!

Morning All
Have you ever seen the flower of Salsify..This plant is said to have a taste similar to oyster's

Like they say in the service(USMC)
Off you butt & on your feet
All we want to see is butts & elbows

They didn't say butt...LOL

See ya later
Tubby

Morning, will get back to reading last nights post when I get to the office, not moving quickly..

Yesterday :

Best...seeing Paul pleased with the outcome of his radio ads

Worse...
Got a call shortly after I got home from a dear friend Marg..her DH passed on, he'd been in a home for 3 1/2 yrs. Said she and her daughter were with Ken when he passed on...lovely couple..

Marg and I spent much time together when I was Recreation Co-Ordinator..my township boundaries was 40 miles north of the border line so I did much travelling, arranging programs, fund raisors in MacTier while keeping the arena functioning...Marg was on almost all of my committee..on Parks and Recreation she was a force to be reconned with...

We started an Art program together..she is a fantastic artists..actually put her brushes away when she lost heart having to put Ken in a home...last night she said that while at the hospital all week a man dropped off a note to say he'd seen a few of her painting in her gallery, wanted to purchase them and commission a few others...she's leaving to go to her daughters for the week and when she returns will come and spend a weekend with me...dear soul...she's the kind of lady you just want to squeeze with hugs...not a mean bone in her body..always there to help anyone and everyone...

Maybe I can talk her into coming on Wednesday - spend the day with the girls painting, spend the evening with me painting, sleep over and she can return home in the morning..about 1 hrs. drive....

What did I learn...
To set aside Monday nights for 7:30 bedtime...weekends play a tole on me..lol

Talk in a bit..

Tubby, pretty flower..are the flowers edible..was at a friends house last fall and the make the most beautiful meal..cake and various deserts decorated with flowers, few floating in the punch..some in the salad...wow, was just so pretty...

Not a fan of oysters, but how fantastic for those who enjoy them to go out and purchase a plant or two....