Dear Friends, It seems appropriate to chat a bit at the end of the year. In Nov. I tore down an old 'greenhouse', although that doesn't really describe it. It was home made from the old Mother Earth News as "Garden Grow Pit' to start your vegetable seeds in early spring. I replaced it with a more modern aluminum frame polycarbonate covered structure that actually lets in light. We worked to finish it by the last decent weather day of the season and temps have been as cold or colder since global warming became 'in'. We've been to Zero F (-17 C) or slightly below a couple nights in a row and only one day above freezing. Brrr. But a reliable bulb is blooming in the new greenhouse- Tulbaghia simmleri *(aka T. fragrans). The particular bulb is the typical lavender flowered form sent to me by the late Dave Karnstedt. I had grown the white flowered "alba" form for years and it is delightfully fragrant. Dave swore his lavender plant had no scent so we traded. "His" bulb is now in bloom and has a slightly less intense, but very evident scent to me. I also traded a couple to Judy Glattstein - is yours in bloom now, and scented too? Over the years I have sent and received some choice and unique items. That is the treat of PBS in making connections. So this particular bulb has gone from S. CA to Kansas City to OR and New Jersey. Doesn't that say something about PBS? Making connections and communicating. And Dell has made the bulb/seed exchange a world wide success. Just check out any recent offering and find bulbs and seed from various countries and continents. Best wishes for the continued success of PBS and all its generous contributors- even those who listen quietly. And continued success in the NEW YEAR. Happy Holidays Jim W. * My original T. simmleri 'alba' came from a California bulbophile, Robert Parker - an avid collector willing to try anything new and different. -- Dr. James W. Waddick 8871 NW Brostrom Rd. Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711 USA Ph. 816-746-1949 Zone 5 Record low -23F Summer 100F +