Moby I definitely hope all is well in your world, as you deserve it very much. You contribute so much here in lilyland.

Well, that's no fun, Moby. You need to retire while you're young and can enjoy it. Toss the bills in the trash and buy lilies and be happy. I always thought people should retire at about 40.

Yes, we surely love all your contributions here, plus your always good sense of humor.

Aww, ya'll are too sweet. This place is loaded with pretty awesome people.
Mags ~ I no longer have that irritating (read: psycho) boss.

Moby your love of plants in infectious. Reading your posts, always a treat
About that irritating boss, well word just came through that I don't have that either, as of yesterday.

Well for both of you!!!!! I was lucky enough to have the best boss in the world. Actually that's why I retired at 57 instead of the 55 we could retire at. What really makes that amazing was I worked for the government and I could have gotten full pay at age 55 retirement, but kept working for 2 more years. And now you know I'm nuts.

It's hard to give up something that you enjoy, and having a great boss makes work so much more pleasant.

That was it, truly, a great job, and a great boss. 27 years.

Got rid of our psycho boss 2 years ago. His mantra (literally) "I'm KING!", although I don't think he ever actually said we were his subjects. He was demoted to our boss (we were so lucky ) and then after 2 and a half years, fired.

And do you have a good boss now?

That boss needed a few workshops in managment, plus sensativity training.
I am such a loose canon I doubt I would hae lasted anywhere,I was in business for myself.

I think management is an interesting profession. I do think it is important that the person "managing" understands what is it they are "managing". That right there is a good start.

It has been a very, very long and tough three years. Sometimes you wonder if they throw "kings and queens" in these positions just to throw us all under the bus. I have no idea. All I know I have learned is that a good boss makes all the difference, in the small picture and the big picture. You want someone who understands what you do in its entirety and has respect for what you do. Those two things are it.

Can you tell I have been struggling with this. Ugh.

Your garden must have been your therapy and solace.

That's why we have family, friends, gardens and special little things that make us smile when nothing seems to be going right at work.

So back to the original question: Must have Items for Serious Lily Growers.

My vote is MORE LILIES!

I see my boss about 6 times a year,[and i have nothing but praise for him],.thats why ive been there 13 yrs.Occasionally i get a person who works for the contract company who thinks they are my boss,.,.[we soon sort that out!!!]

Great thread! Hi Moby, I read your interview with Sharon. It was wonderful!

Glad you enjoyed it.

Season clearance time is coming and one of the handiest tools I have is one of those Fiskars uproot weeders (see below). Really works great for pulling dandillions from tight spots like one that's growing in a clump of lilies or growing too close to a lily--with minimal disturbance to the plant. They run in the $30.00-$40.00 range but are often found on seasonal clearance for about $20.00. I've had one for 4 years; had to buy another because the first one's always out on loan when I needed it. Oh, I should mention, a person can pull the weeds without bending over or getting down on you knees! It works. Not junk! You can see it here: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Fis...:

I was wondering if that tool really worked. From the look of those roots, I'd say so!

And the video is quite entertaining, too.