Time for Gardeners to get to Work

how about this: http://reviews.ebay.com/perennial-flowers-an-excellent-investment_W0QQugidZ1000000001918687

If by some odd chance I have mistyped one of the 27 characters above, please just google WentworthTradd perennial flowers...

Happy Sunday all

willie 

http://reviews.ebay.com/perennial-flowers-an-excellent-investment_W0QQugidZ10000000001918687  I copy pasted so it should work. Thanks Willie : )

UR a sweetie, Holly.  May your Sunday be filled with links that work and the hope of perennial bloomage.

Today in the land o' Willie, we have camellias and the very beginnings of daphne, both pink and white.

Thanks to climate change, I've already had to till my garden and start preparing beds for cabbage, lettuce and onions.  The garlic is already in.

Today, in the land of Stoney, it is ten degress with two feet of snow on the level and this looks to be the nicest day by far for a while.

Any vegetables will have been grown far away and are destined for a hot carmelizing session in the convection oven.

Thanks to climate change, we have more snow and cold than many graduate students have seen in their lifetimes. They are learning that once you don longies, you better plan on keeping it up because you'll feel naked without them.

It is beautiful here and spring can wait its turn.

Here's a surprising thing: Last night, we had dinner with our oldest friends-Outback, really good food, spotty service- and in the course of conversation, I mentioned
J. Peterman to blank stares.

They had never seen the catalog or heard the name. I was stunned having imagined it to be a socially and economically pervasive phenomenon. Shows you what I know.

Sent the link the minute I walked in the door. I will watch for evidence that it has taken.

Am I the only bamboo grower here?  Minimal work for a relatively useless plant which I very pretty....  If anyone is interested in bamboo I'm a fountain of information.  With over 3,500 books in my library, you can imagine I have a couple of dozen dealing with bambusa, phyllostaches, and all the rest of the tribe.... 

If anyone wants, I'd be happy to post a picture of my bambusa beecheyana, a 30-foot high 'clumping bamboo'...

Stoney-I'm always astonished when I meet the Blank Stare of Unknowingness upon mention of J Peterman. I immediately initiate. Usually I'll point to some article of my clothing, and say "he makes beautiful clothing, like THIS, and a catalog that's a good read, and has the best online forum with the grandest craic going." (That's pronounced crack, and there is really no direct English translation from the Irish, but it roughly means the spirited conversation and camaraderie. Anytime you come back from a gathering, someone will ask "Well, then-how was the craic?" Here, it's ninety, which means very good, and that's your Irish lesson for the day...LOL) In Olivia's world, the background music is Louis Armstrong, St James Infirmary et al, it's colder'n a welldigger's arse outside, and my geraniums are dead and mulched upon the front porch (see new avatar pic). My herb garden's in the planning stages, and I'm deciding upon my tomato and pepper plants to go by the French Breakfast radishes. Someone (Cynthia?) declared Better Boys to be good ones, I believe. I've it written somewhere on a wee scrap of paper. See, I'm on topic! I am!

I'll have daffys, hydrangeas, azaleas, irises, roses, tulips, canna, some daylilies, wisteria, vinca, elephant ears, geraniums, and more when the spring returns. My garden just explodes with flowers, and I love it. The two dogwoods in front provide a nice counterpoint with their white flowers up high, and the line of redbuds down the side have their say as well. Crape myrtles round the other corner are fit to burst, and the wee maple by my kitchen window even shows lovely tight budlike curls of leaves as she waves at me of a fragrant Spring morning. My garden is a magnet for birds and squirrels, who chatter at the several cats that have made my front walk and back deck part of their promenade. Apparently, the back deck is the best place in the neighbourhood for sunning oneself, and the patrons have regular and heated discussions relating to whose turn it might be.

I'm what we call in the South "cold-natured", which means I feel the cold acutely, lacking much in the way of natural insulation, so I'm very much looking forward to the warming season. Besides, I'm a great believer in the power of a sundress, sandals, and Miss Blue's straw hat...

Doc!!! I want bamboo down my back! That's meaning I want it for a natural fence at the bottom of my garden, before the city right of way that goes to the park. Suggestions?

EXCITED!!!!

Doc,

Some of the most pleasant moments of my life were spent inside a copse(?) of tall bamboo at Bellingrath Gardens near Mobile.

Something about the light, the color and the feeling made it a place I had to be dragged from- whining.

Olivia,

We'll just all stand by waiting to hear what you're planning to go with: up your front.

First, in Little Rock (colder than Houston) use phyllostaches (spreading bamboo), not bambusa (clumping bamboo).  The bambusa handles cold down to about 23 degrees, and then well, don't wanna go there.... 

Second, every book I've ever read warns that 'spreading bamboo' can't be contained without putting down 'barrier' about 2.5 feet... WRONG!  I'm a believer in the experimental method and -- though the runners go out about 35 feet each Spring, it's a simple job to 'contain' it.  Keep a lawn between your home and the barrier, and mow it.  As the little shoots come up, mow 'em.  (My sister used to live in Potomac, MD, and successfully used the same method).  If you don't even want the shoots growing under your 'fairway', dig a ditch about a foot and a half deep along the bed... (It's not hard using those old-fashioned heavy-duty mattocks or Pulaskis...

http://www.americantrails.org/resources /info/tools5.html

(If you don't want to dig a ditch by hand, you can always 'woose out' and rent a small Ditch Witch)

Third, pick the right bamboo... I like my rubromarginata, though one find 'golden bamboo' all over Texas... either will do.  

Fourth, get enough small plants (cheaper!) and be patient... It will take two or three years for the gaps to fill... (P.S. If you choose to trench, you can 'guide' the runners down the trench and 'doubleback' them into the gaps...)

I'll post a photo of my own fenceline rubromarginata in the photo section and then you, Olivia, (or anyone else) can decide if it's the solution for your situation............

William, a great little guide-thanks!

Feverishly taking notes, while sticking tongue out at Stoney :P

I need it tall, now. At least 6 feet. I too thought that mowing would keep it from spreading. And there's already a drainage ditch of sorts to keep it back a bit. I might have that enlarged...

Now I just gotta find a place to acquire this bamboo. Somehow I doubt they'll have it at Home Depot...

Stoney, I believe I indicated that a sundress etc would do the job. You'll see when the time comes...

Bamboo grows wild up here on the Cumberland Plateau/Tennessee- if there is standing water - you will eventually get bamboo.  We make fishing poles out of it, trellis for pole beans and so on.

Olivia, 

Yes it was me - Better Boy tomatoes! They don't have the acid taste others do, disease resistant too!

I ordered all my seed this past week, got the greenhouse just bout ready to start seedlings.  I companion plant EVERTHING.  I like to plant a fair amout of cutting flowers in with the veggies - just because I can!  We are putting in a large strawberry patch this year, try to add something new each year.  

Cynthia-flowers keep the bad bugs away, especially chrysanthemums and another one I can't remember at the moment-they produce organic permethrins that chase the bugs. I always plant mums around my garden, it helps.

Bamboo is such a useful plant. Our neighbour planted it at the border of his garden lot, and it creeped over to our side. My dad always cursed it, but it covered a bare patch nicely, where he couldn't get anything to grow. He would fuss about the spread, and I'd always say "just mow it down where you don't want it", but what did I know?

Olivia,

Marigolds

Here is a good list of herbs etc... and what they repel:

http://toadstoolponds.wordpress.com/2007/12/07/why-plant-marigolds-in-your-vegetable-garden/
 

We love the Farmer's Almanac

http://www.almanac.com/
 

You can set up your own user, keep track of signs, weather, planting tips, etc... 

Here is a nice piece of literature.  I think it touches on several recent topice, including sex appeal, that thing that is said to be not as good as cricket, and the general metaphysical fascination so many of us share:

http://amazon.com/review/R2X2TB35405160 

I'll post and see if this one works. Wish me luck.

WT,

We have the same disease, posting a link is darn near impossible for me. To post a link and it work is a mystery, I can't seem to repeat the process successfully with any consistency.

William-it says not available. Grrr...

Cynthia-marigolds, YES! Thanks for all the good info, dear. The rabbits (a wee family lives in my brushpile), squirrels and birds thank you too. They'll get some of the crop, no doubt.

It doesn't seem to work, yet it doesn't quite NOT Work- sort of like co-workers we all know. Here, try googling Amazon Ari Brouillette Secret saved my life

or try the New! Improved! link  

http://amazon.com/review/R2X2TB3S4O5160

Also, on the topic of attention spans, try reading the great, but long article entitled My Genome My Self in today's NYTimes magazine...

WT,

I THINK I might know the problem: Are you logged in to Amazon?  I figured this out with youtube.  When you copy and paste the link it is through you account, you have to log out, then copy and past the public link.  Pain I know but that is what I found out on youtube.

Ya'll got any good suggestions bout critters around your garden?  We have cats - they are GREAT mousers! Can't have a farm without good mousers - anyhow they just luff all that wonderful tilled dirt as a ginormous litter box.  I read somewhere if you feed the cats near the garden they won't 'go' there digging and scratching.'?'

Our chickens got in our garden last year, wiped out the tomatoes in one day.  I was SICK!  The garden gate got left open and they feasted all day while we were at the shop.  We are penning up the chickens this year, have too.  That bugs me to, luff free range eggs.  Oh well...

Cynthia, did you have four scotches last night, too? And then a double slug of the Blood O' Christ before breakfast? That is my excuse and I am sticking to it.

You ( and others) might enjoy a book ( or at least its title) called The Journal of Irreproducible Results.  Those wacky Scientists!

WT,

I had a bottle of wine. Does that count?

I envy all you gardeners. I have a brown thumb of the worst order. I can kill a silk plant.

Cynthia, you are far wiser than I. No doubt logging in to Amazon has something to do with it, but whatever the case, do try to read Mr. Brouilette's review of The Secret.

I got a nice chunk of Aversion Therapy this afternoon. My front porch is cluttered ( as is much of the inside of my house) and I dislike throwing things away. A little sunday afternoon work-related travel showed me several things:

1) the more opaque your privacy fence/ screening , the more likely people are to guess that you have a mess behind it.

 2) Other people's messes look worse than yours, which means yours looks bad to others, and

3) "Exposed ceiling beams" do not keep the interior of a trailer from looking like a trailer.

If I were genetically inclined, I would devote the rest of my afternoon to removing visible outdoor clutter from my premises. It's a very good thing I don't have that gene.

Holy sharp and incisive commentary, Batman! Um, is this book a good read, or what? William, I'm speechless!

I see you got right to the point, O.

GOK where my friend finds these things.

WT,

Well...my copy of The Secret was not so...exciting...   I too am speechless.

Georgia,

There is an eBay seller called The Hitch-N-Post in Augusta. Looks like they sell shoes. Do they have a retail store?

WT,

Been reading info on The Journal of Irreproducible Results link you posted...  Reminds me of The Big Bang Theory TV show.

While we have a lot of winter left, we went east last night to visit my ailing parents and got 8" of snow and it never got much above 14, I look forward to my gardening as much as the rest.  The days of an acre or so under tillage are gone but I make up for it here.  My new stainless garden fork just came from Lee Valley, the compost bin which Maria got me for christmas is by the back door going to the garden (all men should get such a romantic gift from their wivess).  One of these nights its a visit with Fedco Seeds:

www.fedcoseeds.com

a growers seed cooperative in maine.  The beauty of fedco is the trial packs of heirloom and odd varieties for a low price.  Much fun, first reading it all and then seeing what comes up.

Willie Trask,

Mr. Brouiette does seem to have a recurring problem expressing his apparent dissatisfaction with the USPS. I have a hell of a time just getting mail into those things.

He must be tall.

That is as well the most direct result ever coming out- so to speak- of "The Secret."

One wonders if the guy got a refund the smokes.

The only tip I have to offer is this: when adding lime to your perennial beds, best not to toss a handful of the powder upwind. Probably something savvy gardeners such as yourselves already know, or at the very least would have figured out before you coated in white.

Hope everyone had a great weekend. It's snowshoe weather in these here parts.

W.T, I wanted to give you an immediate perfect answer, this first thing you've ever asked me to do, but from Information I learned: Hitch-N-Post, 1007 Jones St. 30901 (sounds downtown so probably retail but I'd check first; Augusta's spread out, but numbered streets (1st through 15th) are IN downtown, and so, I think, is Jones.  Sounds like between 10th-11th or 9th-10th. Called (706-364-7678) but they must be closed Sundays, no answer). I'll be glad to call tomorrow morning and report. Is the WT who writes the garden column you? You're full o' secrets. 

Of bamboo, I used to think it volunteers here because I'd see it pop up in unexpected places, but an article in paper last year said local family grew it along their lot line on the riverfront (Savannah R); were called by people from elsewhere seeking to buy it. They began selling, and others started calling.  It must like the climate, at least; I don't know where in the South you are, Olivia...I too lack enough nat'ral padding to stay really warm. Sounds like ALL of you have magnificent gardens on the way.  Bamboo I'm sure is not prolific here in the manner of kudzu, of which it's said If you plant it at the back of the lot, it'll beat you to the back door.

I, too, am link-challenged; feared getting tied up in ebay or Amazon or something even more foreign, when it told me "not available" and that I must "register." I Grrrr with Olivia. Will someone please tell me of this book, "The Secret," all but me appear to be reading? Is it in aid of your gardens, or more general?  Subject, author, like it? hate it? setting, something... Eve 

More on bamboo: I'd forgotten one obvious intentional planting with a purpose. As you pass Augusta National Golf Club on Washington Road (or if you've watched on tv), observe just inside long fence bamboo grows quite close together as a barrier, since immediately inside the bamboo are thick gorgeous green growings; bamboo prevents photographing (more easily done through only bushes) where he shouldn't, or shooting, which sounds silly, but one year while a pres. was there (they all want to play that course) a guy in a truck crashed through the front gates on Wash. Rd and drove every-which-way over, among, through, within well-babied flowers, foliage, trees, bushes 'til security and police could stop him. JUst kept driving. A drunk, but they never know, must act. Too many VIPs there.  e

So Olivia, bamboo should thoroughly separate your lot from the buffer zone before the city park if you plant close together...National's head groundsman might 'talk bamboo" with you if that's the effect you want.  

I'm just in from checking the gardens. And trying to figure out where the deck should go for the wood fired hot tub. Dug three post holes, and got a whopping six inches on each one before the stones (yay, my mountains!) said "Go away, you piker".

My garden is still full of snow. Nothing to do there. Tomorrow, I'll go back out and try to figure out where the tub is going. I need a good soak.

Georgia-Eve,

Molto, molto graze for the check into the Hitchin Post. They seem to have a few JP leathergoods at attractive prices and might well be a good source for shoe bargains...

That leads to a general poll question: Is a jewelry roll a good thing and if so, are two better than one? Any blues singer can tell you that there ain't such a thing as too much Jelly Roll, but I am less certain about Jewelry Rolls.

The book review (The Secret) link is to a bizarre story,  neatly told in the context of a book review. It is pretty darned amusing, if not likely to be verifiable, and just nasty enough to be fun.  As for the book itself, it sounds like foolishness.

How could the WT who wrote the garden column be me? Do you think people just make up names and then use them on the internet? Can they DO that?

Oh my God, don't say it! CAN they? DARE they?   WT -- Of several jewelry rolls I've had, none has been much help unless packing, and have more and better jewelry than I.  Be useful (one or two depending on size and how much jewelry your lady has) even on a daily basis for one with lots. WHat few pieces I have I want in their boxes because there's cotton etc there to protect -- but again, I haven't much 'real' jewelry. NOt a bad idea at all; thoughtful, and says you think on several levels.  Thanks for 'The Secret' information, and I'll look up the Hitch; never believe it when I see 'eBay has JP goods!!' the few times I've looked, it wasn't what it claimed, and if I know one thing, it's The Owner's Manual. Like olivia, I'm stunned when people think JP was a passsing character on Seinfeld, only. Thr UP side is I don't see others in my clothes very often, though always I introduce them, have even shared a Manual or two; called to ask that one be sent to a friend, that kind of thing.  Given all the catalogues people get, can't get over it. Are The Fates saying we can keep The Community AND JP items our own private secret? Got to think (on 3 levels, John-with-the-hot-tub-for-heaven's-sake-i-envy=you-and-yours) that one over, see how guilty I'd feel. We owe much to JP.

Oh, for those interested in bamboo, check out the website of the American Bamboo Society.

Bamboo provides great cover for birds.... which means the neighborhood feral cats can't be far behind.  I haven't seen any other critters in my small grove, but (so far) I haven't slept inside the copse (yes, you did have the word right, Stoney).  My original intent was to put one of those cement benches inside with a narrow path to get to it -- and use it for reading.  (One more dream on my endless list of projects undone...)  

As one rides the train in Japan, it is simply astounding to see entire mountains covered in bamboo (often moso)!  Interestingly enough, in Tokyo, many houses have bamboo in their small gardens, but they are usually pollarded (topped).  My favorite tubbed bamboo is the Semiarundaria fastuosa ... http://www.bambus-lexikon.de/semiarundinaria-fastuosa.html

Doc:  Greetings Sir,  I need to replace a small hedge of pittosporum.  I have considered bamboo, but don't want it to grow twenty feet high.  What do you suggest for a hedge (can be thick-5ft) that will grow 5-10 ft high?  Area of aprox 2(6x20)  The link just posted would be perfect but not so high.  Can you just prune it?   Thanks, your gardening impaired friend, CNep.

Not even in the same hemisphere as today's topic but: what's the deal with potato dumplings?

Just got back from a buffet style supper where we were snookered in to taking the things because they were made to look like boiled potatoes cut in half.

It would have been so much nicer if they had been.

Nasty, dense, sodden wads of gluey dough. Why?

Stoney, the worst food fraud I know is battered and fried cauliflower. It looks like chicken, but no, it doesn't taste like it.

Bamboo has become very chic as a fiber-textile choice. The result is something like rayon in texture and fluidity, I believe and they do funky things like bamboo pile terry cloth, too.

Georgia, I have to admit that I have acquired a lot more JP items through eBay than otherwise.  Thanks for the tip on the jewelry rolls. I think my friend has one, but I suspect she is among those who like to keep things in the original box.

In my travels, I came across a couple of nice leather jewelry boxes, shaped like a safe deposit box, only just enough smaller that you can stick it into the box at the bank ( and presumably at the ritzy hotel).

I am a second or third generation box fiend- cigar boxes, milk crates, wooden wine crates, ancient wooden packing boxes, hat boxes, even copier paper boxes, which are such excellent storage.  If it can be put in a box with a lid, it will almost always be safer than some other form of storage. If the lid is tied on with string, so much the better. 

But then, I also like those envelopes with the button and the string...

I just "thought" on another spot, please see there.  love y'all, Eve

oh, dear, I went to a concert and when I returned somehow ended up on Harold Pinter, so left all manner of messages for you there...please look. 

Willie, you inspire me to look more carefully -- and I bought ONE bamboo pillow case; mate said NO to the feel of it but I love mine and would like more bamboo cases, and some sheets. Sleeps better  than silk, which once I tried and get sliding off the bed, and better than a fake-silk that acted the same. This feels hhmmm but doesn't push you around.  I, too, am entranced by boxes, big and little, old and new, and love envelopes with button and string, though haven't seen one in a while and wonder if USPS bans them -- or perhaps Boston. I used to have several collected from odd places, but partitioned them out carefully to special recipients.  'nght, all, and do see Harold, don't know where my mind was, concert wasn't that good

William, I so agree with you about the boxes! I have rescued old cigar boxes, I even drop by the tobacconists, and buy beautiful wooden cigar boxes with brass hinges for a dollar or two, for my sewing box, jewelry, and so forth. Old tax records and the like are stored in the printer paper boxes with lids. As for jewelry, I found lovely embroidered satin pouches of various sizes on ebay, with Asian motifs, like envelopes in shape and function, zippered and with a snap on the flap. I use the larger ones for big hoops, necklaces and bracelets, and the smaller ones for french wire and stud earrings. Grand for traveling, several colours, and dirt cheap. Here's one similar to those I bought:

http://cgi.ebay.com/CHINESE-JEWELRY-POUCH-PURSE-BAG-GREEN-SATIN-4-x-6-5_W0QQitemZ120128476644QQihZ002QQcategoryZ67705QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

I'm too poor for the Owner's Manual to be more than a wish book most of the time, but I can occasionally buy a clearance item. Most of my JP comes from ebay, and it is authentic. It's the ONLY place to find old vintage JP, so I get a lot of those, because they are quite reasonable. I have a closet full of ravishingly beautiful dresses, jackets, blouses, a leather Gladstone bag that always excites speculation about the mysterious lady in the vintage dress...

Eve-if you didn't read back, I posted about your seasmell-such a lovely word, it evoked many memories for me. Lots of us tend to go back and post the previous days as long as we can. I like to read back sometimes just to re-enjoy all of your words again.

Bamboo sounds like just the ticket. Will investigate more. Thank you all again, for such a wonderful day.

Ciao, babies...

Doc:  If I wanted to purchase some Semiarundaria fastuosa, where would I begin to hunt?  I sure wouldn't be able to ask for it 'cause I can't even begin to pronounce it or spell it, but I like it.

I wore my Squire's Town Jacket to the office the other day, and two patients wanted to know where they could get one.  Neither had heard of J. Peterman, sad to say.

Okay, so where's TODAY??? We were cooking pretty good, then BOOM! More unusual weather at Peterman's Eye...

Send for the Great and Powerful OZ.

Am wondering the same thing ~ Alright who used one of Carlins 7 Dirty Words? Come on Fess up...

I was @#$%ing kidding about the vulgar post, bring it back please.

Maybe this is my punishment for thinking bad thoughts about the "Jersey Girl" wedding I have to stand up in. Seriously folks we're talking 80's neon pink & black for color scheme..

Seriously I spent all of Friday nite at a Briadal Expo with a bride who has NO CLUE & can;t figure out why the vendors are freaking out that she had NOTHING but the Church & Hall Booked for Oct. In her mind she has 10 monthes yet for planning. In their minds she is cutting it WAY too CLOSE, to get anything... I really haven't stopped swearing about all of it since then...  

Does anybody know if Mssr. Peterman has any tech savvy relations, specifically adolescent ones? Maybe one of the Peterman clan has hacked The Eye and when we see stuff disappear it's either the kids yanking it, or when "vulgar" stuff is posted it's them doing it? That's my guess. Teenagers. Or gremlins.

Capt N, would red-tipped photinia work? Amiable, lovely. Pruning determines whether tree or bush; I used it to create privacy along a corner-ergo-open-to-view side of a house; comes to mind not only becaUSE i liked it, but cf Aug National Golf CLUB oops. mention, it's very useful there, looks great even on tv.  JUst a thought. Doesn't do anything odd in winter either, but remember where I live. Oh, family member reading over my shoulder just added "Confederate jasmine." which all but cooks dinner. Water it, love it.  Beautiful when it blooms, not ugly in winter, just a vine. Requires warmth, I think, though.  And something to climb, though now we've pared down from big house to (ughghghgh) small apt, with precious little space to grow anything, i plan to try it as grounbd cover where clearly no one else had success with anything.  It'll   likely cover thickly, quickly, as it really needs, say, the lamppost where I trained it in our house. Wher also I trained it around, within, bricks of the three-sided backyard fence i TRAINED IT TO GROW THROUGH OPENINGS BETWEEN BRICKS BY CAREFULLY oops font again leading a delicate tip where I wanted it, laying a tiny pebble on it for one day, by which time it decided it lived there and moved on finally filiing whole fence.  Neighbors loved me for it, too, as their sides were improved (I did ask first, knowing that).

(cf all that, I'll tell y'all what I learned when The National's Head Gardener was our neighbor; he was on 24 hr call; fascinating what they MUST do to insure beauty the first full week of April, when we've been known to have our RARE snows in March.  They never fail. Cannot afford to. But there's more there than I should use space for today).  WT, thanks for tip: I've feared ebay since my one experience, which took months, was unpleasant in every aspect. FInally got item and it's what I wanted. BUT listening today to Olivia I am astounded and, for her, delighted. Each time I've ventured before regular JP-click to 'We Got JP Stuff' countries, it's been fake, I could see. I learn so MUCH from you people. 

TO WT Re Hitch-in-post: I spoke long (no, not just me; he was happy to talk, tell, and very sweet)to Joe, and they're where I guessed near Riverwalk between Broad and Reynolds but As you guessed, only online.  Asked provenance of JP leather and other goods, tho' he has chiefly leather, and he says 'various': store-display (I forget there IS at a store in Lexington, perhaps other places, O please make an outlet JP, and I spent the day in the sad brief retail one in Grand Central, feeling unfaithful somehow but remembering what someone at JP said when I'd called to ask how poor customers could help; BUY!   Met Opera wisely bought every 'typical peasant shirt' (I'd guess Otovaloand three other styles, all which I love -- something hmm about a shirt either man or woman wear. no fool JP) they had, perfect for 'period' opera, which more are than not; finally let myself go and more than I could afford.  Met's costume dept couldn't make those shirts for what they cost that awful day.   WT, STAY WITH ME: I asked Joe is some used? 'Varies, as sometimes we'll receive one that's in need of repair but we don't know its history so fix what needs fixing.  What we put in description on eBay you can absolutely trust. And tell your friend he's free to call me anytime with questions or comments before or during or after a purchase.' Hope this helps; I'll be interested in what you buy, how you like it....

Dear People (as Maestro began letters to The Robert Shaw Chorale), I'm confused: Last night, having things jotted down to several, chiefly in which I'd been remiss, I let stream-of-consciousness loose (you know Joyce so won't scratch your heads) and openly, first time, admitted I've longed to read the entire "Molly" chapter from Ulysses ALOUD for years, as written with no punctuation; admitted, mixed sensually thoroughly with "French Lieutenant's Woman Cape" prose as I might've DRAFTED (reserve right to edit, always) it. Have never found right hearer, didn't plan it when I started but you know how things go, and know now y'all are it! and promised to do it (to or for you? this must wait, as will our hearing of Olivia's words, same page, 'til we're somehow in proximity). 

This doesn't touch it, so please read, think it was Pinter but things move around.  if you don't read I can never replicate it!  was emotionally drained, marvelously

I'll tell you what happened to today......someone, perhaps a woman scorned, has hired the 12 year old neighbor kid to make our lives miserable.

Last night, I bid on a Peterman peasant shirt and lost it.  Probably one of you wenches denied me. @&*(^!%!

FOUND BENEATH PINTER!! PLEASE READ MY AND O'S words w/my remiss messages to several. Scrolling through sites, seeking, seeing  comments about missing posts, missing pages, remembering as we all do, it fair begs to be a poem...maybe later.

Isles, why I never read your Eyedentity I don't know, but was enjoying your photos and there it was, and you are, refreshingly, what your comments and style imply. A fortunate family you have. Love observing great genes, then learning they're being passed along. AS in punchline to infamous joke re the French and the American husband, Continue, s'il vous plait.

Shandonista ~ You are TOO FUNNY ~ But to you all ~ My Sincere Apologies  in reguards to the Big Shake Ups that have been happening here at the Eye in the past month. 

I promise to behave a better... (well at least a tiny bit better...)  

I leave you guys alone for a few hours and now look. What have ya'll done now?

And Rings, pink and black? Now that's vulgar. 

Maybe it was the Pope joke. Sorry.

I thought the idea was to be vulgar...

Olivia, I, too, enjoy going back and back, re-enjoying or catching something I missed.  What if we could arrange for there to be NO concept of Time...this group could work on that.

When things move I understand, loving process as I do. They're working and I've behind stage often and long enough to know what that means, but it is disappointing to find it 'distappeared.' (my son again, when little)

DPR, sorry I'm slow responding, and thank you for your question, and you'll see why I realized my 'experience' didn't fit that day. I've just read your identity. Talk about Renaissance men: In spades! WE have them all around, here, how did JP find y'all?

Of your theater question, I'm no Lady COmrade, who sounds as if she earns her living acting. Simply a writer with too much flare for drama in all aspects of life.  Done (acting only; never directed) local and regional theater and professional summer-colony in upstate NY solely because dear friend who runs it forced me but I ended up loving it (I'd officially 'retired from stage' see following). 

My greatest good fortune is to live in a city with a professional opera company, of whose chorus I've long been a member, occasionally doing small parts as all's professional otherwise (recently retired from staged productions' as i've seen too many do it too long and wanted to stop, muchas I love it still, before anyone had to ask. Exit when they still want you),  Still sing in Co's annual holiday concert, presented just as are operas, musicals w/stars you know, directors, conductors, set designers, lighting folk, wig and makeup stylists -- you'd know all of them were I to list. So lucky:Where else would a mere second alto who's a quick study, reads well, gives her all, loves being someone else for a time, wearring fabulous costumes, wigs, working with people you see the next week at The Met, La Scala, on Broadway, who this week sit in their underwear having breakfast in your home. MAny years on their Board, and hosting visiting artists, most opera but many Broadway when we'd perform B'dway requiring 'real' voices for certain roles: conductors, actors, singers, directors, wig-and-makeup folk, costume people, et al. Stay with host three weeks to prepare opera; four to prepare musical. Correlations among disciplines fascinate me ever, I love and am intensely interested in creative process. Funny moments when you've a 'mixed' cast from theater and opera, as you'd know: even superstitions differ. The greater wonder is all General Directors of opera companies don't have ulcers, for that's where the buck stops when union rules, which differ in those fields, get in the way. Too many funnies to take space here, but when an actor was my guest once, he came home allaflutter because 'those singers keep warming up and you should mainain quiet after half-hour.'  I: Darlin', if a singer's entrance is in Act III, he's GOing to warm up shortly before, and maybe several other times. He: Never heard of such a thing and I've been doing this since grad school!  I: That's how it is, and ever will be.  He managed.  And opera folk wish colleagues In Boca di Lupo (in the mouth of the wolf) whle theater people say Break a Leg, each group certain the play will be marred by the mix. Human mnature is the most fun in the world. Then there was the 'Equity Cot' question. Working in a former vaudeville-theater as we do, with little backstage and less wing (great flyspace though, oddly), you could get killed adding a cot anywhere in our no-space backstage, with SM and helpers moving sets hurry-got-to-shave-off-three-seconds-from-this-change. Well you KNOW. All that and more. What a delight to direct your wife.  As keeps happening with The Community/The Eye, I find another person to whom I'll happily listen for hours. A full and rich life y'all have.       

Georgia,

I went back and read. Lovely.

Trask,

How did I know you were somehow behind this? Behave, man! 

Thanks Georgia,

Once upon a time, there were a handful of people on eBay selling JP things they had bought at the liquidation sale. I had a pleasant eBay acquaintance with a woman who said she had a garage full of shoes ( the velvet elf-ish ones) and caps and hats and the like. I bought the tweed shooting suit and the bottle green man's velvet smoking jecket from her cousin, who also had laid in a big supply. Someone else seemed to have vast amounts of the shave cream.

And then, about 14 or 15 months ago, I discovered an eBay seller who had a regular inventory of one-and-two season old JP stuff. They sold tons and they were in KY. That is about all I know for sure.  I will not say much more. They seem to be out of the eBay business at the moment, but they moved a LOT of product, sometimes at ridiculous sale opening bids and sometimes at just really good buy opening bids.  They tried hard on customer service. Sometimes they had to try twice, but they usually came through and they were good sports.   It was almost like having a JP clearance department in your computer. Or just down the primrose path in a pleasant garden.

eBay is a wild and wonderful place, with plenty of traps for the unwary and plenty of opportunities for the easily tempted, but like Times Square, they are constantly cleaning it up and they take credit cards. No doubt, now and then someone will lie about what they have, but it is pretty easy to find the really solid good people.

If you are going to recommend red tips, may I put in a plug for the noble and hardy Cherry Laurel? It is prolific to a fault, but is plenty sturdy and makes a good hedge if you prune it. And it is native to the southeastern US.

"ye gods and little fishes" says Peter Lake as he ponders today's mystery. .........

"The Future button at the top of the page doesn't take you anywhere (which in itself is more than a trifling bit worrisome) and now the Past button seems to be stuck, and to top it all off, there isn't a Now button! I hadn't yet posted on tomorrow's topic, which was today's topic this morning, so I know it wasn't me that pushed the pause button on the machinery of time. Now what were you guys all saying when this happened, hmmm?

"I hope that wasn't a piece of the sky falling that I just saw out my window"...... says Peter as he ducks underneath his desk.

Peace out.

Reference the subject, albeit a day late.  My floral garden is but an ugly, frozen piece of mud with mulch lying all around it.  Can't wait to see colorful, scented, sprigs of spring popping their little eyes out of the ground.  But for now,  I avoid even looking at it.  I am a beginner gardner and can't wait to get started for spring.  I am ready for winter to end!!!!  I may need some expert advice along the way.  I hope you seasoned gardners are up to the task.

Have a nice day all!

P.S.  Rings:  can't you in a subtle but positive way suggest to this person to change the colors to maybe subtle pinks and browns?  My cousin, (a fashion designer herself) just did her wedding at the end of October in those colors and it was stunning!  But neon pink and black:  She will regret that decision.  

Wille, you're right --Cherry Laurel's a good one. Thanks for assuaging my fear about eBay. A friend has a friend who quit her 'day job' becauseshe made so much on eBay.

I did what Olivia and I agree is a wise pastime if we can just figure a way to alter the concept of Time -- looked 'way back and found an essay by Mr. Peterman, whose soul I've always believed to be that of poet, on his two favorite poets. Service and Kipling. Well, having been brought up on Mother Goose, AA Milne and Kipling, and having l'arnt Service later, and having a son whose 5th book on the life and work of Robert Frost is aborning, I HAD to read.  Many comments by people now 'distappeared' (still can't IMAGINE how I missed The Eye even that long, reading all things P'man as I do); some quoted extensive poems. Fascinating to learn another aspect of you who ARE here. Forever and ever world without end. Thrilled John referred to himSELF as the writer I knew him to be first time I responded to his thoughts, how he expresses them, thinks them. He'd never done that since I met him.           All, did you see 

I FINALLY FOUND UNDER ** PINTER Olivia's and my last-night's words I wanted you so to read (they include overdue messages to individuals from me) for reviews of my stream-of-consciousness potential prose for JP's French Lieutenant's Woman Cape, such fun and I love it but would love equally your responses, tho' I wrote off the top o' me head.  Responses even 'eeeewww' ok. To love words so is oft a gift, oft not.... oh, AGain, read Terrorist, shaping of a young boy into potential suicide weapon, chilling the more because Updike wisely sets it in our country.  **GO SEE; MAYBE STILL THERE, she said, crawling 'neath desk, where ouch! too many wires grab.

Thrilled being part of JP's creative process **!

oh ~ MACK DADDY & Miss Ive ~ If I could get hr to change ALL OF IT ~ I SO WOULD!!!

So this is the style of the BM Dress in the color of Chianti (which doesn't look bad on th emonitor buts its VERY BRIGHT in perosn)  for an October Wedding  http://barijay.com/style.php?style=423  But because this clerk at David's bridal said sashes are "IN" for all weddings this year she is having us add a black sash around our waists that will be just knotted in the back. She is also adding a balck sash to her Wedding gown. this is one of those weddings were you ahve a bride who believes EVERY trend has to be followed & so the more Crud you stick to everything in her eyes the more elegant the wedding will be.  I have tried to get her to go with the Browns & pinks which is very classy & sublty beatiful & less striking to ones eyes... but to no avail...

I was introduced to Mr. Peterman in 1990 actually in February 1990 a few months before Seinfeld Premiered. A high school friend gotthe Owners Manuel & loved it for these reasons #1 it was different, #2 the drawings & #3 she could sew anything as long as it had a description. She did Mr. P knockoffs for herself quite well, as she was from a strict 7th Day Adventist family & her exposure to the outside world was limited, she subscribed to catalogs & had them sent in her name to the H.S.. J Peterman was one. She gave me an old one & I still have it. It really was just a nice reading piece with great sketching. When I heard he went bankrupt I was upset as I was just starting to be able to almost afford his clothes. A few years later a whim of an internet search helped to realize the great company was back in business & I could again get the Owners Manuel. The little eye on the back of one of the Manuels intrugued me & So here I am.....

Poor dear Rings, I intrude where I've not been, but I so relate to all you say, having married off two children, I write simply to say I sympathize; your ideas appeal far more to me (David's is here) too, and I well understand how little say you get.  When my daughter announced her engarement I called the small shop where I buy things I don't buy at JP sales and said, "Susan, I need a MOB dress that is NOT AN MOB dress."  She knew exactly wjhat I meant; no more words except, "My next trip to market I'll come home with it."  And she did. Nothing at all like those everyone-else's MOB dresses you never want to wear again, I still wear this one. Never know it was an MOB dress.  Had I gone to David's, they'd've put me in something like you describe, which is not ME, which Susan's and JP know so well. Sending good feelings and hope to you, Eve

Can someone remember what was happening before the big boom? I left the computer around 10:30, having been vulgar, yes, but not, not not purely for shock appeal, I promise, and then I returned some 5 hours later and viola, as they say...

Willie ~ We have no clue  ~ a few theories but no clue

Georgia ~ I have been working on my tact for a while now but the poor bride is a trend follower & doesn't understand the difference between trendy & sophistcated. It's the old can lead a horse to water but can't make them drink situtation. I really should know better though she's in her 30's & still shops in the Jr's. section for all her clothing. It's a hard place to be when you are accepting growing up & one of oldest friends isn't. & you are trying your best not to let her wedding pictures & such look clownish & dated 3 months after the fact. But I am learning not eveyone sees things the same way & I have to accept that.

Rings,

My best advice on Bridesmaid Dresses?  A day after the ceremony, cut the bottom 4-6 inches off the hem. The next day do the same thing again. Repeat until you have reached the waist. Throw the bodice away. Leave the scraps anonymously on a quilter's doorstep. Disavow all knowledge.

It might be possible to show your friend some bad wedding photos or even some wedding-themed movies. She might then see how quickly things become dated.

No offense to my lovely cousin Georgia-Eve, but many many many weddings are the result of the MOB having been denied the wedding she always wanted. The Bride either must  become the unwilling pawn of her mother's unfulfilled fantasies, or she reacts and goes off in the other direction to be sure she doesn't.  It is a little like initiations- you complain the whole time you are on one end, but somehow when you get to the other end, you perpetuate the madness.

What she needs most is patience and reassurance. Nothing else matters.

Willie & All,

You made reference to an obliquely clever movie review and I, not to be outdone, took it a step further down the slope by involving a famous quote by a well known eighteenth century French monarch and brought the house down. The straw and the camel it seems.

Not especially elucidating- you had to have been there and it is just as well that you were'nt- my apologies.

Rings, talk her into this one...

http://barijay.com/style.php?coll=barijay&showid=104

or this one...

http://barijay.com/style.php?coll=barijay&showid=81

Unlike all the other dresses, I could see someone actually REALLY wearing them again.  You know how they always say "And the great part is that you can shorten it and wear it again!".  Make your friend watch the 27 Dresses movie.  The montage of bridesmaid horror at the end of the film is great.

If your friend is planning on a big fancy wedding and she only has 10 months and no vendors booked...GOOD LUCK!  I've helped plan/cater weddings and know what a scrum it can be if they try to do anything in less than a year.  I didn't want a wedding, I voted for a marriage ceremony with our parents as witnesses and nobody else...I got vetoed.  I had kind of a home-town, white-trash wedding lunch and absolutely put my foot down on NO reception.  I've been to very few weddings, as a guest, where I actually enjoyed myself...I'd rather not put people though that.

Stoney, I read that  reference and laughed.

I forget whether it was before or after that I told a joke that involved the Pope  uttering a barely disguised obscenity.  I am pretty sure anyone would know that my joke was my own, not to be attributed to or endorsed by JP, and not really meant to be offensive, though I can understand people who revere the Pope ( I don't even know if it was the current one or the previous one in the joke) not having an appreciation for a story that involved him doing something, well, something earthy and intentionally vulgar.

But, not being one of his flock, I look at the tale and see a version of the king who saw some guest committing  a faux pas- dunking something into his drink- and rather than let the guest look impolite, did the same.

My apologies as well, to all and sundry, especially anyone who had to do extra work because  of my dubious taste. 

Oh Rings,

You may want to tell your friend that she can save money by hiring a photographer who will take the photos and then just give them to her on a CD.  Professional photobooks are expensive and there are a lot of websites where you can make your own.  http://www.mypublisher.com/ is pretty good and easy to use, and they regularly have coupons that make it cheaper.  This is a link to the book of photos from my wedding.

http://www.mypublisher.com/bookstore/book_viewer.py?d=tq%3Ey-cppl%60je%3E3244889

I'm good at cheap, my whole wedding (invitations, dress, shoes/accessories, new suit/shirt/tie/shoes for hubby, photog (who I didn't like but he was cheap), food, cakes, flowers/decorations, rings, honemoon, etc.) cost $3,000.  Now on the other hand, my brother that got married 2 months after I did (his second wedding, his wife's first) spent $4,000 just on their honeymoon, I shudder to think how much her father shelled out for the lavish hotel/white tent/reception on the beach they had in southern california. 

What I can't figure out is that I'm a penny-pinching saver who works her butt off, and this brother is a spending fool/goof-off, how am I the broke one and he's doing REALLY well?  *sigh*  Murphy's law I guess.

John, I was in middle of a note to you, whose words above I'd swear just appeared for I'd not seen them (how? what IS going on? never mind, it's ART) 'til now, though two more posts follow it before where I'd have begun writing: Art is happening before our very eyes. Anyway, my beginning disappeared while I scrolled up to find your EYEdentity, see if you'd added things, which still no one at JP will explain to me how to do but they are clearly REAL busy, as we say hereabouts or, in the phrase of a nutty aunt, "Honey, I been REAL busy here, Hooverin' this house all day long.") Starting over (just thought, title of a good novel read recently is Starting Over In the Evening), well, dear John, my half-piece of writing may turn up, but I feel safer 'starting over in the evening,' as now it is. Uniquely mind-tingling your photograph, and who wouldn't love a man who's still making up his mind about a few things. Clearly a Renaissance Man, you have my heart.  (I told DPR after reading his c.v. when he asked me about theater that he's one; I know you better, though.) Did JP's Casting Call read "Renaissance Men wanted. To learn more, write (no 'phone calls, if you please) for appointment"? Your words are so kind, thoughtful, attentive, and I am grateful, though you may be disappointed to learn you read more than's there: I've just been lucky a (very, actually) few times in things I love to do. The more grateful am I because of how I respond to your writing, to what very little I know of you. Your comments mean much, and ain't it great we've this time-out-of-mind context in which I can say 'I love you for that' and know you know what strange and wonderful things that might mean far from the real world,  in and yet not of it (see gardening!)  If you read my stream-of-consciousness description as I'd have drafted it (except for here, which is conversation, I revise and revise, and that was writ off the top o' me 'ead w/no revision) for JP's French Lieutenant's Woman Cape, I'd love even your "I retract all I said. EEWWW."  i'd like to know how it hits you, if it does. If it's THERE! Magical place....

WT, your reference to brides' and/or grooms' mothers forcing weddings on chidren to make up for what they missed is spot-on, but why you add, politely, 'No offense to my cousin Eve' bedevils me!  I, who sympathize with rings and told her I bought from a friend who owns a small shop:"Susan, I need an MOB dress that IS NOT AN MOB dress." She understood, and I still wear it; resembles nothing remotely like MOB. Or perhaps you meant people in the South are more likely to do that sort of thing, with which I'd agree also. The South and Texas, which I for some reason don't think of as South but as TEXAS, so big and rich that's a compliment...ever notice the same states also produce the most beauty contests for toddlers on up? SC especially, but others too. Devastating, scary.... 

Sleep well, incredible bunch, Eve

OK...A LITTLE SHORT OF TOPIC BUT I SPENT 1 YEAR EXACTLY PLANNING MY ONLY DAUGHTER'S SIMPLE YET VERY ELEGANT WEDDING!  EVERYTHING FROM HELPING HER THEN FIANCE' PLAN THE SURPRISE PROPOSAL TO THEIR HONEYMOON.  THE WEDDING WAS DOCUMENTED IN OUR LEXINGTON HERALD LEADER IN A THREE PAGE PIECE (YES, THREE PAGES) STRICTLY DEVOTED TO "THE WEDDING THAT WENT OFF WITHOUT A HITCH''.  I TAKE GREAT PRIDE AND AND JOY IN KNOWING THAT I PERSONALLY SAW TO EACH AND EVERY LITTLE DETAIL.  OUR DAUGHTER, FROM AGE THREE ALWAYS TALKED ABOUT HER ONE DAY CINDERELLA WEDDING.  IN THE CHURCH, AFTER THE MASS SHE WALKED UP TO ME AND PUT HER ARMS AROUND ME AND TEARFULLY SAID " MOM, I ALWAYS KNEW I WOULD HAVE A CINDERELLA WEDDING SOMEDAY, BUT THIS...THIS IS EVEN MORE THAN WHAT CINDERELLA COULD HAVE EVER IMAGINED, I LOVE YOU AND DADDY AND I THANK YOU WITH ALL OF MY HEART!"  I DON'T REGRET SPENDING ONE SINGLE DIME OR ONE MINUTE IN PLANNING THIS EVENT.  IT WAS A BLACK AND WHITE THEME FROM THE WEDDING THROUGH THE BALL ROOM RECEPTION.  IT HAS BEEN OVER EIGHT YEARS AND THE MEMORIES ARE STILL FRESH AND LOVINGLY THOUGHT OF.  WE WOULD'T HAVE CHANGED ONE SINGLE THING.  MY DAUGHTER LIVED AND WORKED IN PALM BEACH AT THE TIME AND SHE GAVE ME FULL AUTHORITY TO PLAN EVERYTHING.  AS FOR THE COST...I AM STILL PAYING FOR IT, BUT AGAIN, I DON'T REGRET ANY CHOICES I MADE FROM THE INDIVIUALIZED GIFT BASKETS IN EACH GUESTS ROOM, HER BEAUTIFUL MONIQUE LOU COUTURE DRESS AND SWARVOSKI CRYSTAL TIARA, TO THE BEAUTIFUL CHINA AND CRYSTAL TABLE SETTINGS, THE 7 PIECE BAND, TO THE GODIVA CHOCOLATES WRAPPED IN AVA MARIA SHEET MUSIC TO THE GOING AWAY BREAKFAST, AND EVERY OTHER LITTLE DETAIL.  WEDDINGS CAN BE STRESSFUL, BUT IN OUR CASE, THE STRESS WAS AWESOME!!!!!!  MY HUSBAND AND I ELOPED AND I LATER FOUND OUT THAT THIS WAS MY DAUGHTER'S WAY OF GIVING ME....THE WEDDING I NEVER HAD!  THE FLOWERS WERE IVORY ROSES AND CALI LILLIES.  SHE CARRIED A BOUQUET OF 1/2 DOZEN LONG STEMMED CALI LILLIES.  HER DRESS WAS YES...A BALL GOWN BUT IT WAS SIMPLE ELEGANCE JUST LIKE THE REST OF THE WEDDING.  AFTER HAVING SAID ALL OF THIS...AND PROBABLY BORED MOST OF YOU, WHAT I AM REALLY SAYING IS A WEDDING IS A PRECIOUS MEMORY.  MY DAUGHTER CHOSE TO LET ME PLAN IT ALL, BUT HAD SHE DECIDED TO DO THE PLANNING, I WOULD HAVE LOVED IT JUST AS MUCH.  RINGS...I MAY HAVE OVERSTEPPED MY BOUNDS EARLIER BY SAYING YOUR BRIDE TO BE WILL REGRET HER DECISIONS.  SHE HAS TO MAKE THE DECISIONS AND GO WITH THEM.  IF IT'S NOT TO YOUR LIKING OR MINE...SO WHAT?  IT'S HER SPOTLIGHT!  I APOLOGIZE FOR THE INTRUSION.  ALL WILL TURN OUT WELL AS LONG AS YOU HAVE UNLIMITED ACCESS TO THE CHAMPAGNE AND CAKE!!  

Only meant that I don't want to offend any mothers of brides with my comments and  Georgia, you had just told about your good experience.  I believe you were very smart about it and Mack D, your daughter's sounds wonderful.

It can be a horror show, though.  Hats off to anyone who manages to avoid that.

WILLIE TRASK:  THANKS AND YOU ARE RIGHT...  THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE FOR US WAS WONDERFUL!  I DRANK 3 BOTTLES OF CHAMPAGNE AND CONSUMED ABOUT 2 DOZEN CHOCOLATE DIPPED TUXEDO STRAWBERRRIES THAT NIGHT.. DANCED UNTIL 2AM!  IT WAS HARD GETTING UP THE NEXT AM AT 6 TO SEE THEM OFF TO GRAND BAHAMAS, BUT IT WAS ALL WORTH IT.  I KNEW WE WOULD ONLY DO THIS ONCE AND IT WAS GOING TO BE DONE RIGHT...EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.  THE BRIDE AND GROOM STAYED IN THE BEST HONEYMOON SUITE IN THE MARRIOT RESORT, AND MY HUSBAND AND I STAYED IN A LITTLE LESSER HONEYMOON ROOM AT THE HOTEL...WINK...WINK!    

I apologize for the *boom* them *poof* today. I am sure beyond doubt it was my fault responding to Stoney's post. When I posted my post I scanned back to read Stoneys post to my husband ‘cause it was so dang funny and it had been deleted. I reload the page to see if it was just me and the *boom/poof* had happened. It was me and I sincerely, truly, deeply apologize for the lack of taste on my part. I will keep my mind and keyboard out of the gutter from now on. Please forgive me  :-*

Cynthia,

I'd give a dollar... oh, never mind.

I;d give two dollars.....

Is it just me or does anyone object to being asked about vulgarity and then being poofed for it?

If you don't want the answer, don't ask.....and I was actually behaving myself this time.

I KNOW IT'S LATE, BUT SINCE WE ARE SPEAKING OR SUPPOSED TO BE SPEAKING OF GARDENING I WANT TO PLANT A DOGWOOD TREE IN MY FRONT YARD AND A MINIATURE MAGNOLIA IN MY BACK YARD.  DO ANY OF YOU GARDEN ANGELS KNOW THE APPROPRIATE SEASON TO DO SUCH A CHORE?  I WAS SO ENTHUSED ABOUT WEDDINGS THAT I ALMOST FORGOT TO ASK.  WE ALL KNOW I GET EASLIY SIDETRACKED!!!!  JUST GIVE ME A SHOVE BACK INTO PLACE. 

I crossed a line. This is a pubic board, anyone can 'pass by' making some posts inappropriate as mine was for a public board.  I think I can give you a hint: it involved a quote from The Jerry Springer Show and that is ALL I am going to say about it.

*As she closes one eye, cringing, hoping desperately not to see a boom/poof again.*

Plant the dogwood and miniture magnolia in late winter or early sping.  They wont make it in summer/hot months.  

Eve-thanks for trumpeting the throat-tightening wind-whipped storm-wracked emotional prose that burst forth from both of us when the magick words were spake upon the waters. Something about all of that brings many Irish coastal and mountainy experiences back in such a terrible and beautiful rush of feelings that I could hardly type fast enough.

I too love the Molly soliloquy, and have tossed it about here several times, yes to say Yes lol, even harnessing poor Molly to my Neti pot.

I see the Eyester Wedding Planning Service is back in business, too. Satisfaction guaranteed! Brides remodeled, grooms groomed, new batteries all round...

An' I PROMIST not to be vulgar no more! What happent?

Not to worry, ever, William T.  I knew exactly what you meant, have lived through/attended 'way too many identical weddings.  Some folks are absolutely absent originality. Except here.   Grateful to and for y'all,  Eve

   Say G'night, Gracie.  TWO beats  G'night, gracie.  I'll always love that, sort of like "We'll always have Paris."

Gardening PS Machdaddy!, my experience w/dogwood and small magnolia is same as Cynthia's; loved both.  The little magnolia surprises, for it bloms suddenly, smells sweet, more subtle than big manolia, and blooms last such a brief time you can't take them in and enjoy them in water -- or I couldn't.  CYnthia is garden-wise-also-other-wsie, so may know more of that. 

We'll have to call you Sin-thia now...and I'll be damned surprised if THAT post made the whole effing DAY go blooey! Here we suffered for WEEKS with crap every day and nothing was done, then we're ASKED to talk about vulgarity and some a-hole puts the hammer down! I'm calling Odin, Crom, SOMEBODY all-powerful and ruff-as-a-cob for some kangaroo-courtin JUSTICE round heah...

Ok, I feel better, anyway.

We could at the VERY least get some 'splainin...

*grumble, mutter, bitch, gripe*

The dogwood is a better bet for length of blooming season and does get much taller - both have great shape.  The magnolia can be strong scented, but in the right place it is glorious indeed.  I love them both, I just planted Redbud trees with all my white dogwoods cause they are beautiful together.  Add forsythia to that and it is grand in the Spring! The magnolia is great for a center piece, I does loose its bloom almost overnight.

Peter, John, your kind words to me are on the Honor Role, as well they should be.  The oddity was they're (on this site) not where  they wee when I read them, and I was prepared to scroll down to see if you'd read and/or responded to my response, but it appears my response got appended to your fine writing on the Honor Role. Gremlins, surewly, though wouldn't it be loverly to be there together? I've no idea what's going on, I just enjoy it. Congratulations, and probably mine, which were (at least tonight) not my direct answer to you, but of gardening or other things and don't merit Honor Role...if I could choose, and really BELONGED on the Role, I'd've chosen to append (or label) my words to you -- a bit more thought-out and such.  Ah, well...     "We'll always have Peterman"          Sleep well.  Eve

ps Olivia, I'm glad you enjoyed, as did I yours. No revision, off the top o' me 'ead, so less than good, but I so love that chapter.  Been too long.  I must read it again. And I'm beginning to suspect our closets may hold a few similar items; I'd have recommended the blue sundress and Miss Blue's Hat, too. thanks JP

I like dogwoods as understory trees- they do really well out in the woods. They manage OK on lawns, but they prefer to spread wide beneath pines or something similar.   The Little Gem is just that- and they will bloom a LOT...

I think this is a good time to plant, or maybe in the next six weeks, depending on how close you are to the coast, etc...

Got a catalogue today from Swan Island Dahlias. I do believe the bloom at the top o the page is a dahlia.

Yes, WT, it IS a Dahlia.  They are such lovely flowers.  I don't grow them simply because you have to dig them up each year and replant - at least that is what my grandmother taught me.  She said you will not get the best blooms if you don't dig up and replant each year.  Some thing with tulips.  Now, there has been a tulip developed in the past few yeas that you don't dig up but once in four years.  My grandmother did grow dahlias and they were my favorite, I simply don't have the time.  Same thing with gladiolas

John, my missing reeponse to your HONOR ROle'd praise has been erturned, but  not where you might expect. I reasoned it might, there being nothing repulsive in what either of us said.  I think it's been put straight your words alone merit Honor...for mine immediately beneath are reponses to gardening dilemmas. My formerly-missing response was better-written, more thought.a ittle. Being an inveterate reviser, these quick back-and-forths are fun to read, and I may get better at them. You can tell this is my virgin experience in this brand of conversation.  But what wonders it got me!

Remember, all, that it's ART Mr. P's making here, and art always involves a bit of mess if it's good.

If you want something beautiful - along the lines of a dahlia - to plant without all the fuss, plant zinnia's.  They are easy, they can take the heat and come in every color out there.  

Cynthia, you are so right about mixing the trees and whatnot. The dogwood, redbud and forsythia go well. I had a fencerow once where I planted alternating shoots of forsythia and quince (both so easy to propagate), which bloom stepwise, and it was glorious in the Spring! Add some crape myrtle and just step back and enjoy...

Eve, mine was, like yours, just a gush of emotion, no revision, the raw gout of memory. Isn't it funny how some natural essence like the sea can generate such strong responses? I would bet money on our closets, as with many of the ladies here. We all have much in common-romanticism, erudition (somewhat tempered with foolishness in my case), enthusiasm, pragmatism, and sensuality. A good mix, I believe. The guys here are the very best of gentlemen, with a roguish streak that I find so appealing. Our John/Peter has a gentle, sweet spirit that I love as well. They all have their wee ways...never have I inhabited a world so peopled with rare spirits, though the occasional serpent or transient spectator bird may pass through.

Yes, it IS art, and it is messy.

Georgia,

You may want to go back and have a look at this old Eye post:

http://www.petermanseye.com/curiosities/notables-gossip/171-frisky-young-tenors

But my dear, you are quite mistaken to imagine that, because your acting background may be "just" community theatre, that your experience is somehow less important or less substantial than those who make their livings on Broadway.  As an opera singer, you know all too well just how few have the kind of careers they dream of.  Only 5% of the members of Screen Actors Guild are steadily employed but I do not consider myself any less qualified to discuss my craft just because I'm one of the other 95%.

If you practise your art with dedication, pride, and joy, you have something worth contributing.  The most eminent professionals in this field can learn from you.  If you are willing to allow that, by doing this crazy craft at all, you have a valuable perspective on its history and its future, you need never think of your experience (and discussions thereof) as insignificant or insubstantial in any context whatsoever.

THANKS FOR ALL OF THE SUGGESTIONS.  I WILL DEFINATELY TAKE YOUR ADVICE.  LOOK OUT NURSERY...HERE COMES THE CRAZED TREE  LADY IN ALL HER GLORY.  ONE MORE THING...CAN YOU ALL COME AND PLANT THEM FOR ME?  I WILL GLADY FURNISH ALL OF THE KY BOURBON AND COUNTRY  HAM AND BISCUITS YOU CAN CONSUME! 

Olivia, you read my mind, and I'd love to enjoy your 'MOlly," I've nver memorized it, but there's never been need, as I hadn't encoutered the right audience, 'til now.

DPR, thank you most sincerely for your kind words, and I like knowing a bit more about your work. Of the link, I read that in The Times, but am eager now to see what The Community thought about it. I could (and do) re-play that original Three Tenors tape every so often; just to have to have it. One knows they've planned the seeming ad lib performance moments -- though I always think Not Ncessarily -- but I love every one.  And am deeply moved knowing the other two included him recuperating that very moment from leukemia; well, still under treatment, says a singer friend who knows and worked long with him.  He held his own as he could, but I can't avoid imagining the stress rehearsals brought, let alone performance, in his condition.  Pavarotti and Domingo could've easily accomplished the concert alone, but instead they includesd him at that crucial time; what an emotinal and physical lift it must've given him.  Domingo's my all0time favorite, though I know most prefer P; Domingo has a rich brain, conducts. Yet I'm mesmerized when I watch/hear P. But that's foolish wandering, for I'd've given my eyeteeth to hear any of them, live: How electric! In December for the Company's concert, visiting artists included a young tenor we'd not had before, a member of "Three Mo' Tenors," a wonderful perfomer with a voice that never makes knots in your stomach as he approaches (what you know will be) a very high note or emotional moment; sings as if there are gallons more down there he can use if he needs it, the while soaring, flying. A delight to work with. As all were. 

What magical work you chose. Or chose you.  When theater works -- sometimes even when it doesn't, quite -- it lifts us from the quotidian, for those precious hours, bringing us back to earth knowing a bit more about life, about what it means to be human.  

DPR, talk about coincidence: Because I enjoy scrolling back when I've time, seeing what people said, I HAD read that day's entries, though had learned of the singer in The Times as I recalled. In particular do I apprecate and agree with your recommendations of "operas to taste," which apparently suited several members.  I, too remember the Shawshank Redemption moment, which I loved; it said more than eight pages of dialogue could've at that moment. Funny how certain things call to you out of context.  I've never heard or seen "The Pearlfishers," but somewhere, somehow years ago I heard that incredibly lush, magnificent baritone-tenor duet (Act II? maybe, but as I've still never seen the opera...), and it changed me. I all but wore out our first recording, never bothered even to listen to any of the rest (several singer and conductor friends say don't bother, given what that duet does).  At the December concert, anytime we've a baritone or bass and a tenor who'll do it justice, and not all, even fine singers, can, I get to hear and see it.   Never fails to bring the audience to their feet, and curtain calls. This December I heard it from the young (THree Mo' Tenors) tenor and Andrew Stuckey, a bass we've watched grow from a promising fine babybass-singing-baritone into a full, magnificent bass as he aged a bit.  Possibly the best live performance I've been privileged to hear, and there I was beHIND them but had sat out front in rehearsal several times, weeping.  It's also on The Three Tenors tape, with Placido doing the lower, certainly the maestro upped it a bit for Placido as Pavarotti could find any high note.

You know so much, so very very much, and I'm pleased you share it. I hope you keep a journal. Agree with you, too, about Chicago and San FRancisco, both of which I've only visited but fell in love on sight. Know how some places make you feel your soul has been there in some other medium, time, place? I felt so in England, in Salzburg (yet not in Vienna, strange, though I liked it).  Chicago and SF evoked that same feeling, as did New York City when first I visited a lifetime ago, late 'teens. Theater I wanted most, and got it, but I loved everything -- the dirt, Times Square, all of it. A dear dear friend, recently dead, an actress all her life, I visited and/or cat-sat for often in recent years, and when she'd invite over a collection of theater colleagues from Broadway's earlier days, I sat drinking in their experiences, stories.   

Of New York, Sondheim says it well in more than one song but in particular in oh dear, its title escapes me but I sing it mentally as I write....  Thank you for your words to me, and certainly on that site to all. I know many who think it's corny, but Puccini absolutely carries me away, his lush sensousness, soaring chords. Mozart's gift I appreciate well, and enjoy him as I do baroque music and madrigals (which I adore singing), but Verdi and Puccini and whoever=-I-forget-now-wrote-Pearlfishers, and their ilk, now they drain me, fill me, take me away. Like the playwrights you mentioned a few days ago, who do what I believe  theater does to and for us. Thank you, most sincerely.  Eve

Salzburg is funky, Vienna is cold, Salzburg is young, but still loves the old, while Vienna is formal and German, austere, I mostly love Salzburg for Mozart and beer...

Georgia,

The Pearl Fishers was Bizet.  I have also never seen it and I also LOVE that duet.  I first heard it on televsision with Thomas Hampson and the late great Jerry Hadley.  I have never cried so much over the death of a famous figure as I did when I read of Jerry Hadley's suicide.  I first noticed him when he wasn't remotely famous, doing Lucia di Lammermoor at Tulsa Opera and I followed his career through the years.  The greater his star, the more I felt the world had discovered a secret I already knew.  When he died, I was furious to see that the flags at Lincoln Center remained at full mast.

I also love the Three Tenors and I think Carreras recovered quite nicely.  My first vocal coach stated the quality difference between Domingo and Pavarotti quite adeptly:  "Pavarotti has the finer instrument but Domingo is the better musician."