First of all, let me begin by wishing Alice Hargreaves the happiest of birthdays so far!!!

Of course, Bruce Hargreaves, our intrepid scientist, reporter, and regular contributor to the Cactus Patch, and his wife Polly have arrived just in time for all three crucial events; namely, to celebrate Alice’s Birthday, to speak at our May Meeting, and to be first in line at our annual yard sale just completed!!! We are so pleased to have Bruce and Polly here to tell us about all their adventures.

Speaking of the yard sale, in spite of lower traffic and the stiffest competition one can imagine, we actually faired pretty well. It’s still a little early to say at this sitting, but it looks as if we have earned about the same as last year. Having said that, however, we have so much left to sell that the Skillins have generously offered to have another yard sale tentatively on June 26^th and 27^th in order to sell the rest. Since our expenses are so much higher this year, a second yard and plant sale seems prudent to me, so we will discuss it at the meeting to see what the general membership think.

Lastly, I just wanted to mention how, once again, with the suffocation deaths of six kit foxes in Bakersfield last month, we are reminded of how especially tenuous life is for our endangered flora and fauna. Whatever the intent or causes of this tragedy, let there be no doubt that continuous vigilance in protecting our threatened and endangered species is always appropriate.

Matt Ekegren