Trends: Information
Blog, blog, blog... Or, if you prefer, blah, blah, blah. Sometimes they are one and the same. Now that the Internet has empowered us with the ability to share our opinions with virtually everyone, virtually everyone is sharing opinions.

Not that the blog or its kissin' cousins, the internet message board and chat room, are bad things, per se. We all have interests, and becoming a member of a global community of friends who share those interests can serve the needs for gratification and edification.

It can even create friendships — with people we've never met. Take, for example, my buddy, Ace. We have several common bonds, notably an allegiance to our alma mater, Baylor University, as well as an affinity for sports and for writing. Ace is an accomplished author. I am a reader of accomplished authors. He and I never knew each other at good old BU, but we both worked the sports beat at the school paper during our college careers. We couldn't pick each other out of a lineup, given that we live miles apart and travel in different circles and have never actually had a face-to-face conversation.

Yet, each evening, thanks to the Internet, we "cyber talk" to one another as members of what has become known as "The Panel," a group of people who recognized that we all like Baylor, all like sports and all like writing — and all like sharing our like interests. We have a private "blog" that generates dozens of responses, sometimes more, depending upon the topic one of the members of "The Panel" throws out that night.

Obviously, the start of this missive notwithstanding, I believe there's value in our new, global means of communication. Thankfully, so does Trey, "the Blogging Nurseryman." I stumbled on his site recently, and I noted not only his insight into industry matters, but his passion — and the passion of those who responded to his thoughts with their own comments.

That's the kind of exchange we all hope for with our blogs — and, when I say we, I include the "we" at Branch-Smith, who recently introduced our own expanded blog, "Open Register." It includes news and opinions from staff members, guests and, hopefully, our readers. Go to http://www.branchsmith.typepad.com to check it out. If you find a topic that interests you, please share your thoughts with us.

Who knows? If you're really insightful, I might be able to talk Ace into writing a book about you. When I finally meet him, that is.

Puzzling pictures
What goes where — and why... One of the pictures below is a puzzle. Find the correct one and then piece the product together again. Do it in a rapid and accurate manner and all manner of rapid and accurate praise will be accorded you.

"What's new: Grab some media attention"
Check the *BLOG*

Pick 'n Click
Chic seek... Would you like quick access to garden or gift items? These suppliers are ready to route you the information you seek. Click the company for e-reader service.

Achla Designs Allsop, Inc. Alpine Corporation Atlantic Pottery Bamboo Accents Bar Harbor Cedar Bartlett Bench & Wire, Inc. Benchmaster by Structural Plastics Black River Nursery Braun Horticulture Ceramo Co. Charlie Cook Associates, Inc. Chas. C. Hart Company Clean Air Gardening Collier Metal Specialties, Inc. Crescent Trading Group, LLC Danove Corporation Deer Out Discount Pond Supplies, Inc. EasyPro Pond Products Ecological Laboratories, Inc. Fabriscape Featherock, Inc. Firestone Specialty Products Gardenware Gifts That Bloom Hines Pottery Horticopia, Inc.

Inca Imports Isabel Bloom Jackson Pottery Macore Co. Maine Bucket Company, Inc., The Michael Gordon LTD National Lawn & Garden Show Novelty Manufacturing Co. Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Assoc. Parker Davis Company, Inc. Pharm Solutions, Inc. Plant Revolution, Inc. Plastair Poly-Tex, Inc. Red Carpet Studios Riverside Enterprises Ruibal's Topiary Systems & Ironworks Sherman Nursery Company T-Mate-O Topiary Art Works & Greenhouses Trunk Mat Company, The Two Dogs Designs Wellmaster Carts Winston Company Woodstream

 

"What's new: Grab some media attention"
Check the *BLOG*

Oh, yeah, the riddle answer...
A vacuum cleaner.

 
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