@Sharon Somehow I missed this wonderful article on its first go-round. I have been trying unsuccessfully to get milkweed to grow in my garden in hopes of attracting more butterflies, plus I just think it's pretty. I have scoped out some plants growing by the roadside in the Village, and when fall comes, I intend to help myself to some of the seed pods. Like you, this was one of the plants I remember as a child. It grew in the sand of North Carolina's sandhills region.

I was amazed to learn that it was used in life jackets during World War II.

Thank you so much for all of your interesting and informative articles.

Thank you @rocklady, for reading them!

I can't get hybridized milkweed plants to grow either, they never come back the second year. I think the old wild milkweed will grow just about anywhere so, just like you, that's my plan. I haven't seen any growing around here locally so my best bet is to take a trip back to my mountains. I plan to do that if I ever get beyond restricted driving. I can drive any distance with someone but not alone. 400 miles is not a distance I can drive, so Sunshine and I just can't hop in the car and go. Now if she had her own driver's license . . . this isn't because of my heart, it's because I am anemic and having to get infusions fairly often for that. i never know it's even a problem except I become tired and faint a lot. Heck of a problem to have. No warning at all.

You reckon I could get Sunshine to wear overalls and a sunbonnet or straw hat, maybe the license people wouldn't know the difference. Except her legs might not reach. That could be a problem.

@Sharon You could always strap some blocks to the pedals for Sunshine. I doubt if the DMV people would know the difference in her disguise.

In addition to the milkweed problem I have, Echinacea grows wild here, but I have a problem with the hybridized looks pitiful and doesn't do well. I have some growing across the ditch that separates the back of our property which thrives without any care and that growing in the garden doesn't do well. So much for loving care! If I can just teach the wild to jump the ditch! I will try to throw some seed in the garden in the fall if I can remember to do so.

How are the wedding plans coming along or has it already happened?

Great idea, Jean, for Sunshine. I can just see it!! I have a similar problem with many hybridized plants. Seems the old 'weeds' I brought back from the mountains are the strongest and longest living.

The wedding is July 30 and I'm right in the middle of finishing my dress for the rehearsal dinner and doing a makeover on dress for the wedding. Also working on some decorations for the wedding dinner and that's all taking up a bunch of time. Thanks for asking. I might survive!!!

@Sharon I'm sure everything will come out perfectly, and so will the mother of the bride!