Dear George, and All: Yes, we are stiill on the list; finally sorted out the various mails, weeded, recovered from jet lags, weeded, answered the msgs on the telephone, weeded, made peace with the dog (Walter) who had spent the timewe were away in what our vet calls her "Bed and Breakfast." The Carolina jasmine is beginning its annual extravaganza, the little lettuces may just hit the salad bowl tomorrow, daffodils-violets-crocus are the only bloomers except for one brave rose. On the porch the Christmas cactus is finally flowering and just outside its window the Red Baron peach trees are starting to show color; Red Baron isn't much on peaches but it is a beautiful bloomer - truly red flowers. George, you asked, "What is rock?" Well, some people here use it for building material, or as landscaping assets, but .are an abomination when you want to dig a hole. Anyone want some? Come and dig your own! I'll plant stuff in the hole you leave, unless there is a rock ledge just below and then we'll both huff-and-puff and try to crack it to provide drainage. David builds low walls with rocks after he digs them up; at last measuring, he has about 480 feet of dry wall. I make paving of the flat rocks. You have to do something with it! Oh, one other use; we found a rock that had been hollowed out by a drip line from an outcropping; that is my spoonrest by the stove. Like the clever ones who shred paper to use in compost and for mulch,. A good gardener never lets anything go to waste -- or does anyone remember the infamous hay bale? Hope everyone had a happy Valentine's Day and that President's Day (tomorrow) is an inspiration to all -- Presidents and voters alike! Pat