First of all, if you ever want forsythia, let me know and I'll send you some nice rooted starts....I've got tons of them every year. They'd be easy to mail, they're about 1-2 foot long "whips" with a root clump.
RE: Work and weariness. I hear you. I've always said there's two very distinct kinds of tired: The good tired that comes from physical work/exercise and the bad tired that comes from mental activity with physical inactivity. After a day editing, i feel wiped out and totally unfit for much of anything. After a day of hard outdoor work, I want a shower, a hot meal and I feel great! Sleep like a baby.
I am not quite ready to retire (somebody has to earn money to feed all these cats....) but I am trying to cut way back on what i accept. it's made a big difference having at least a few days a week when I can get out of the office and do other things. I overbooked my schedule this past month and I am paying for it....
I've got dogwood and redbud up my way too, but I have the devil's time with azalea and rhododendron...some kind of virus in the soil. They just won't grow.
