I find myself doing a little ‘gathering’ here in the Deep South, where it should be warming up but it was below freezing this morning! Here’s what I have so far:

First up is a couple of suitcases…

Then a big floppy hat to hide under…

You just can’t be in the sun without eye protection…

my new ipod shuffle, from Adam, is filled and ready to go, courtesy of Alex. My boys take good care of their unsavvy Mom! {My shuffle is hot pink}

And, a Lynne recommended book!

Gathering can be such fun!

Here is a slideshow that my dearest son Adam put together for the Heart & Soul Gala, held by the SAMC Foundation.

This article is presented for your information only. I thought it was quite interesting…considering Sea World is continuing to use Tilica in its shows. I do not know exactly how I feel about this. Was the animal only doing what a killer whale does? Is it the fault of Sea World for expecting wild animals to behave according to learned behaviors in human situations? Sea World has said that the whale would die if released back into the ocean, as it has none of the hunting and feeding experiences that whales in the sea learn from birth. They also say that he is very useful for breeding.

Here is the article:

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Sea World Killer Whale Must Die, Bible Insists

By Lester Haines ?Ģ

Posted in Bootnotes, 4th March 2010 11:21 GMT

The revelation that Tilikum – the killer whale which last week lived up to its species’ name by killing SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau – had killed before, prompted much debate as to whether the tragedy could have been avoided.

In 1991, Tilikum was involved in the death of Keltie Byrne at an aquarium in Victoria, British Columbia. After his transfer to SeaWorld, he was implicated in another death – that of a man who’d “apparently sneaked into SeaWorld after hours to swim with the whales” and was “found draped dead across his back”, as the Orlando Sentinal puts it.

Well, two lives could have been saved “if the counsel of the Judeo-Christian tradition had been followed” back in 1991, according to this insight into Biblical provision for dealing with murderous animals.

Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association notes: “Says the ancient civil code of Israel, ‘When an ox gores a man or woman to death, the ox shall be stoned, and its flesh shall not be eaten, but the owner shall not be liable.’ (Exodus 21:28)”

You ignore this at your peril, because if your ox kills again, then “‘the ox shall be stoned, and its owner also shall be put to death.’ (Exodus 21:29)”

Mercifully, not even Fischer wants SeaWorld management executed for Tilikum’s multiple murders, and in a suitably modern American-style take on the Judeo-Christian tradition suggests that “if I were the family of Dawn Brancheau, I’d sue the pants off SeaWorld”.

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I think that my opinion would be to continue to care for the whale and use him for breeding, but refrain from using him in any shows . I do think Sea World has a responsibility to care for the whale…but, for me, 3 strikes-you’re out. He should not be used in shows. What do you think?

Did March come in like a lion or a lamb at your house?

Would you join me for lunch out under the wisteria? It smells divine!

Love everything about this pic. Lime-one of my favorite colors.

How fun would it be to have this retreat in your backyard? A good book, my fav magazines, a tall glass of sweet tea with lemon, and a few chocolate chip cookies…I could stay there all day.

Chandeliers? No…Hangeliers! Made with clothes hangers! Strange.

If anyone knows where I can buy this chair, let me know! I want to curl up in it! I like the print, the style, the rolled arms…everything!

What does this scream????? SPRING!!!!! Doesn’t it look like a big bird’s nest?

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THANKS FRIENDS!! I appreciate all you advice on my hydrangeas! When they start blooming beautifully this year, I’ll share them with you! You’re the best!

Let me be perfectly honest here, my friends. I am about as good a gardener as I am a cook…just so you know where I’m coming from.

I have had great success doing large container gardens. But, when things go into the ground…that’s where my trouble starts. The only thing I have ever grown well in the ground were hostas…and my mother actually picked out the spot and helped me put them into the ground. Those I left at our other house, though I do want to go and get some of them to move over here. They came from my Grandmother’s yard in NC. I have always wanted a yard with lots of large hydrangeas growing…so large that I could pick some every day and never pick them all. I dream big! And, so we planted several bushes when we had the yard landscaped. They bloomed last year, and were beautiful. But, all I did was enjoy them. God handled the rest.

So, here’s my question. They look all brown all the way down from the dried flowers to the ground. Should I cut them back now, or will I cut off the new growth? They look dead to me. And, maybe they are…what with us HAVING SNOW ON THE GROUND FOR 2 DAYS HERE IN THE DEEP SOUTH!!!! I don’t want them to be dead. And, if I need to do something to them, I know I should probably be doing it about now. Here it’s been sunny and in the 60’s…so spring is definitely on the way.

I would so appreciate some help. Thanks for taking pity on this sad wanna be gardener.