I remember as a young girl hearing my father talk about family outings to the Calcis lodge. For reasons unknown to me now I thought the lodge, rather than the town in Shelby County, was called Calcis. Throughout my life I envisioned a beautiful retreat where Dad and his family and friends vacationed in the summer.

He had just seen it and wondered if I knew about it. I am glad he called because no one else did, and the library never told me about it. You can never assume what people know, even about themselves or their own family. Sometimes they are the last to know.

Last night on TV we were watching a 1930's movie when the main actress appeared in a coat like one my mother also had in the 1930's. It was a princess style which meant it was fitted at the waist with a flared skirt. Around the collar of the coat were fox fur tails.

ABC, CBS, NBC and other news stations are proudly welcoming our soldiers home from Iraq with a "Thanks for your service." It is great and refreshing to hear good news on the TV. Many families are thrilled and filled with gratitude to have their loved ones coming home.

All places have some sort of native plants. In this part of Alabama, with our favorable elements, we have many beautiful native blooming plants and lovely evergreen ferns. My favorites are the ferns, I believe, because many wood ferns, being cold weather hardy, are outstanding all year long.