Today is Mother's Day. I was wondering frankly if I was going to be able to celebrate this day with my mom after the last few months we've had. My mother had a heart attack. She was just bouncing back when she had a stroke. The harshest words I've ever heard in my life came from her doctor the day after her hospitalization with stroke. "Your mother is dying. It may be within the next few months or the next few years but her body is shutting down." With those words all kinds of thoughts flooded through my brain. She's 87 and all of her siblings have died around this age from heart related ailments. I don't know what it's like not to have my mom around, for good or for bad she's here. What will it be like? I'm getting older and now I must face my own mortality.

I had a dream roughly two years ago that she had died. Was my mind telling me to prepare or was it just one of those things that go away when we awake. I've never forgotten the feeling of devastation I experienced in that dream and I know there will be a day I will feel it again for real. So where are we now? My mother is very much alive and well. She has a little loss of memory but still very sharp for her age. I sent her roses for Mother's Day. She called to tell me she had never received long stemmed roses in her entire life - it took her 87 years to get them and she would never ever forget how beautiful they were. You know what else? I took her to church today for the first time in over 6 months. When we walked into church I told her not to worry about all the standing up and sitting down throughout the mass. Although it clearly was a trial for her she did it anyway. When I asked her why her response was, "Because I have to. I have to keep moving."

So, we'll see what happens within the next year or two or hopefully many more than that. I pray she proves the doctor wrong for a long time to come. But in the meantime, I still have my mom and we still have Mother's Day every day.

Sufficed to say that's why there have been no posts on this blog for several months. I'm not going to promise to write something regularly because I don't know if I will. Right now my mom has my free time and my heart. But I'll write as I can and keep you updated on her progress. Happy Gardening and for every Mom, Happy Mother's Day. You are loved.

Interested in all things palm tree? Corey has the website for you. Palm Trees shows you everything you needed to know about palm trees, cycads, bromeliads and other tropical plants. There are pictures to view along with plant care information. You can also purchase palm trees and seeds by clicking on the links at the bottom of the site. There are also several links to visit from Corey's links page, and there's even a forum in which to participate. All great stuff. Go visit when you get the chance. Happy Gardening.

I've been on hiatus lately. It seems like time just sneaked up on me over the last couple of months and I never got around to adding anything to my blogs. I think I've also hit a writing snag that has contributed to the lack of posts. But, since it is the last day of 2007 I thought it only fitting to at least tell everyone about a few new links to visit in the coming year.

• Garden Outfitters has everything for your garden from arbors to furniture to sundials. This company is an offshoot of Outdoor Fence Company, in business since 1974. Looks like they are a one stop shop for all of your yard and garden needs.
• Perfection Landscaping provides a variety of professional landscaping services for residential properties including landscape lighting, irrigation systems, lawn sprinkler system, driveway installation, patio installation, & residential landscape design. Give them a call or visit them online for more information.
• Earthstone Studio offers high end natural stone fountains, statues and planters. Their products are beautiful and worth a look.
• Wind Chimes Pavillion carries what else? Wind chimes of course. They have a gorgeous variety worth taking a look at. There's nothing like the sound of chimes in the garden breezes.
• Last but not least, Urban Garden Wholesale is dedicated to providing gardeners, growers and plant enthusiasts with gardening supplies. They have lots of products and information for both indoor and outdoor gardens. Visit their website when you get a chance but be sure to put your feet up since you'll be there for awhile.

Happy Gardening. I wish everyone a very happy and healthy 2008.

How does gardening affect environmental conservation? Earth-friendly gardening makes the difference between polluting the air, ground, and water around you and your loved ones including pets and wildlife. How you ask? Here are just a few examples:

Compost - using compost rather than fertilizers add nutrients to your soil without contamination. If you can't build a compost area outside, Mindy provides tips on creating a non-smelly version inside.

Mulch - using renewable resource mulch protects the eco-system. Rather than cypress mulch, try coir. The fibers come from the husk and inside layers of the cocunut. It is free from bacteria, is environmentally friendly and renewable. Other choices include pine straw and the leaves fallen on the ground from your own trees. Mulch keeps weeds under control and preserves moisture limiting water use.

Natural pest control - prevents leaching of chemicals into the ground and water and eliminates exposure to humans and animals. Mixtures of baking soda and water or soap and water will control bugs such as aphids, mealybugs as well as fungus and powdery mildew. Beneficial insects such as ladybugs will do the same thing.

Lawn mowers - choosing a push reel, cordless or electric mower prevents air pollution and the reliance on petroleum products all the while giving you great exercise.

Limit water use - planting drought tolerant plants and mulching conserves water, protects the environment, and saves you some hard earned dollars.

To read many, many more examples of protecting our environment contributed by bloggers around the world, go to Blog Action Day .

It's important for all of us. Happy Gardening.

Have you heard about leafcutter bees? They cut pieces of leaves to line their nests. I used to see holes missing from my rose leaves all the time when I lived up north but never knew exactly what was causing the damage. I just happened across a 3 line note in a newspaper recently and was intrigued.

Pretty interesting fast facts about this insect:

they do not colonize like most bees; i.e., honeybees or wasps. Female bees do all the work to create next areas and provide food for their babies

leafcutter bees nest in areas that are easy to excavate such as soft rotted wood or pithy plants

leafcutters don't eat the pieces of leaves they cut but carry them back to their next to use as nest cells. Each cell is then provided with a mixture of nectar and pollen. The female lays an egg and seals each cell creating a nest tunnel. Each tunnel can contain a dozen or more cells forming a tube up to 8 inches in length. The bee babies will develop in the cells and emerge in the next season.

they are considered important pollinators of wildflowers, fruits and vegetables, and are common in the US.

my favorite fact - leafcutter bees are not aggressive toward people and will only sting if handled.

Bees are fascinating creatures, aren't they? Happy Gardening and special thanks to Rick at Order of the Bath for the picture.