All,

It is good to be back and be able to check out what's been happening during the past week.

So far, I've not watched any TV or listened to the radio (except while in the car) for the past week. We just got the computer set up late last night, and I couldn't find the modem pool numbers.

Sheeps

-- Anonymous, August 20, 2001

Answers

would a modem work if it was in the pool? Hmmm.....

Welcome back sheeple!

-- Anonymous, August 20, 2001

You were gone? What was your name again?

Snort!

-- Anonymous, August 20, 2001

OG,

You'd simply love it! I have butterflies that are HUGE! And tons of hummingbirds! Some flowing tree (or way overgrown bush that lines the driveway) feeds them. There are a couple of feeders as well. They love to buzz me! I have apple, cherry, and peach trees, as well as pecan and walnuts! The woods are 'littered' with wild cactus and iris! I simply cannot wait to see this place in bloom next spring!

Oh, does anyone know what a bird is called that looks like a very light gray/white cardinal?

-- Anonymous, August 20, 2001

Catbird, maybe? Is the tail extra long?

-- Anonymous, August 20, 2001

Nah, you can have it! I would have loved it ten years ago. Now I'm dreaming of big paving stones.

Wouldja take a pic of the bushes you mention? Are they butterlfy bushes, maybe? Left to their own devices, they can grow 12 feet tall and they have flower spikes, kinda like a skinny lilac flower spike. Come in lavender (most often), pink, white, yellow (not common), a a beautiful deep indigo blue ("Black Knight").

We have some of those birds, can't remember what they are. Smaller than a cardinal, right?

-- Anonymous, August 20, 2001

Brooks,

The tail wasn't any longer than normal.

OG,

The flower kinda looks like a hibiscus(sp), but the plant is way to large for the cold here. When I find the digital camera, I'll snap a picture of the flower and some leaves. I'll find out what they are, and plant more. :)

-- Anonymous, August 20, 2001

OK, Sheeple, my next guess is it is a cardinal, a young'un.

-- Anonymous, August 20, 2001

Are young ones that color until their first molt? These are the size of full grown cardinals. Dang, must find my bird book. Which box is it in?

-- Anonymous, August 20, 2001

My recollection is that only the adult male cardinals are that lustrous crimson read. The females and the young'uns are pretty bland, but with different colored beaks.

-- Anonymous, August 20, 2001

The cardinal female and young 'uns are definitely reddish.

Looks like a hibiscus? Maybe it is a hibiscus! There are several different kinds.

-- Anonymous, August 20, 2001

could be Rose of Sharon...picture of one in the Garden Gallery...hang on...

-- Anonymous, August 21, 2001

Um, rose of sharon is hibiscus syriacus. Here's a pic of the one I have in my garden. I have a white one too.

Blue Bird

-- Anonymous, August 21, 2001

Bingo on the Rose of Sharon! Thanks gals! I didn't get home until after dark yesterday, so taking a picture of one was out of the question.

-- Anonymous, August 21, 2001

You're welcome, dear...

-- Anonymous, August 21, 2001

Sheeps, the only problem with hibiscus species is they tend to volunteer a lot and usually in places where you don't want them (unless they're sterile, like hibiscus syriacus "Diane"). Hence, be sure to keep any grass well mowed around them.

I've had good luck with my two and pests don't seem to be attracted--except ants, to the sticky innards, but they don't eat anything so that's okay. I'd like to plant more if I can find good locations. This sort is pretty hardy, btw.

-- Anonymous, August 21, 2001