"Mike" said:

Hey Allegra,

Can't hide a reference from you, can I?

Not if we like the same movies ;) Beside that is one
of my BH favorite phrases so there was no way I wouldn't
have not known it.

How's your spring coming?

My what? in Oregon? The only that has been blooming
without stop is one of the clematis and that babe is loaded.
I wish either Altisimo would have come along or the
clematis would have waited for Altissimo. They were
supposed to bloom nearly at the same time. Oh, yeah.
Just believe in labels, and we don't need no stinking
labels to fool us, right?

I pegged the two Red Ribbons as you suggested. They look a little funny
right now - just one big cane on each bent in a hoop. I hope Cass is
correct that the rest of the canes will soon follow suit.

Now be a good man and leave them alone. No watching, no
spying, no harassing them. And no making fun of them either.

I received email today from Wayside Gardens. They want to sell me roses at
75% off. $3.00 Austins. I don't have Tamora. That's your cue to badmouth
Wayside to prevent me from making a mistake. You can also remind me of the
heartbreak of RMV and the reason why I try to stick with own roots. I don't
know though. $3.00. Tamora. Help.

What is that about a fool and his money? I am not calling you a
fool but I will if you throw your money away. Give it to any
charity, better spent. You want Tamora? From Wayside? just forget
about getting anything in return. Just send them the money. For all
matters and purposes it will be the same. Tamora indeed. Since
when have they learned to type labels with corresponding names to
the roses? That is a new one! A patented rose for $3.00 that
it will survive or that would even be closer to Tamora in shape,
color and health. Sure.

Now lets do some math here. A rose from Wayside $ 3.00
shipping and handling, lets go cheap, another $ 3.00 -
A good hole with plenty of amendments about 1 hour to
dig and 1/2 hour to plant, even at minimum wage it will
cost about $ 12.00 - Months and months of fertilizing,
spraying, watering and so forth $ 15.00 for one season.
Angst, frustration, waiting for Tamora and when finally
the only bloom that makes it looks like a mini and
it happens to be red with orange stripes. Shovel pruning,
getting rid of it and replacing all the soil in the hole in order
to be able to plant something there, another $ 15.00-
( I said we will do this one cheap) So now you have spent
$ 48.00, a season and much time to cultivate an unknown,
while for $ 14.95 you can march into the real growers and
get the real Tamora, or at least an honest replacement if
they send you something other than.

Of course experience, at least mine applies only to me.
But do you ever wonder why someone would sell something
of value for less than it is worth? As I said, support your
local rose grower. You can get Tamora own root from
Heirloom for maybe $20.00 including shipping and handling
and it will be guaranteed to be virus free and to grow as
a real Tamora. No joke.

Beside in the great state of Texas I am sure people like
Chamblee and Antique Rose Emporium will probably
get for you if they don't have in stock. But if your heart
is set on Wayside, go for it. Then you will be giving
me tacit permission to call you what they call those
who are soon parted with their money.

Here is a link to look at the wayward clematis. I
cannot get mad at something so gorgeous! I will let
you know when Spring comes....if ever. The little
one at the feeder is one puffy little Anna. And although
there is a rumor that we have no Ruby Throat in Oregon
I am here to deny that. We counted seven last week -I
know at least 3 weren't the same hummingbird coming
back for more because they descended all at once to
each of our 3 feeders - and maybe that is the only
sign that indeed Madame Primavera its on her way.

Allegra

http://www.bluesky.com/allegra/hummingbird2.jpg

http://www.bluesky.com/allegra/clematis2.jpg