When I did my book on beardless irises, my editor was at first a little worried about me putting the stories of the hybridizers in the book. However after she read it she thought I had turned "a boring plant book into a more interesting read" and now they have allowed me a whole chapter to do this in the semp book. We do have some interesting characters and it was my pleasure to have met so many.

Anyway, I hope that you will all enjoy the book!

Of course after yuo read it, yuo will know everything I know and I can retire!

Just heard from Toby that there will be three more of my semps available in the spring of '17. They are some fun ones in this group too.

Kevin

A little more precious November sunshine today.

Let's find some red and green.

'Fuego' - even in November continues to light my fire.


'Red Devil'


'Glowing Embers' and 'Red Rum'

Kevin, I thought you were already retired? Can one retire from an interest? hobby? passion?

I need a project Bev. Damned Yankee work ethic!

Kevin

Relaxation can be a healthy thing for you, Kevin. Do you know how to do that?

Bev, in a word NO! I always have something going... Just the way I'm wired. Already have ten things planned!

My psychology teacher in high school described me as a "high need achiever". Guilty!

Kevin

Hey all anyone getting frost yet? Everything I have outside has frozen solid and I forgot to move a tub with some chick in it and they got a touch! I'm goin to call this one snowflake lol it looks very pretty.

Sy I love your frosted semp photos. I have not experienced any freezing yet, but that is a fun time for photos.

Tim your new photos look a lot like my semps this time of year. Love 'Fuego', and 'Red Rum' is such a bright green this time of year.
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I think we can retire as many times as we want, from whatever we want. I love working, even though I am only 9 years old.

Lynn, don't know how old you were in your avatar but you're the cutest 9 yr old I've ever met!

Kevin, this year is the 20th anniversary of my retirement. When I first "retired" I was really unemployed but after being unemployed for 20 years, I think I should celebrate it all as retirement. But I'm still too young for SS (for the full shebang, that is)

But to keep with the semp subject, here's my blue pot planted with Noid semps (mostly from Patty before she moved) that is outside on it's own in the Tuff Love program

Bev,

I just celebrated my 6th year of retirement on August 8. I retired at 56 to pursue the plant breeding/book writing/ music. Best move of my life.

Am SICK of rain rght now. The semps still look OK but the winter weeds are going berserk.

Happy Thanksgiving to all the Americans! Don't eat too much turkey!

Kevin

No turkey for us (I know...so Un-American) but we are having Philly Cheesesteak Meatloaf If can't have turkey, then hubby wants anything that will be left over for sandwiches.
Yes, enjoy the holiday weekend, all of you out there! And be safe.

Glad it worked out for you Kev. It's good that you could retire with a purpose in mind of doing something. My decision to retire was cuz I wanted to stop doing tech work. Thirty-three years was enough for me.
Weeds... yes indeed. A couple days ago when it was dryer I took my backpack sprayer loaded with Glyphosate and carpet-bombed some areas. One of which I had cleared this Summer for more succulents next year, but the weeds had different ideas. I'm thinking maybe a modest rockery devoted entirely to Jovibarbas... and surrounded by Sedums. Every Winter it's a different garden project fantasy that gets me through.
But I gotta say... let it rain... let it rain... let it rain. Even if my Agaves all drop dead... which is a distinct possibility.

Plans are good Tim. I make up lists of potential crosses in all my hybridizing programs so that I have a plan of attack each season. With most of the plants I'll have bloom on a given cultivar each year but not so with the semps. With them I do more general things like "best large velvety red X largest near black" or "biggest rosettes X cobwebs". That way I have good ideas but not the specific plant. I find it a good mental exercise.

Garden design is NOT my thing. I just want to grow the plants well. The long border along the deer fence is as close as I get to "design" and I'm pleased with it mostly. Am also doing a shade garden area that should be more finished up when you guys come in the spring.

Kevin

I hope everyone, no matter where you live, has a wonderful Thanksgiving Day.
Everyday is a day to give thanks.

Tim I love the way you plan and dream. When I get home I practice your method.
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Kevin I grow my semps more like you do, with the exception of throwing a little of Tim's method into the mix. I love to and other plants that will grow well in the same environment as the semps. Always surprises popping up.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone

Happy Thanksgiving Day Daniel.

Happy Thanksgiving weekend for those who are celebrating!

Still in Thanksgiving recovery mode here

The semps are in their plastic raincoats for the winter. and I finally finished planting bulbs - 1,045 of them! I hope they don't turn to mush with all the rain (100"/yr) here!

Wow, Patty that is a lot of bulbs, and definitely a lot of rain. I saw somewhere that the Seattle area may be getting snow soon?

They're saying snow here this weekend! Definatrly not ready for that!