THE OLD SIGN PHILOSOPHER THOUGHT OF THE DAY
5 OUT OF 4 GARDENERS SHOP AT GREENSCAPE

STARTED PLANTING THE FALL MUMS TODAY
PLANTED ABOUT 3,000 TODAY IN THE RAIN

THE OLD SIGN PHILOSOPHER THOUGHT OF THE DAY
"A STITCH IN TIME, CONFUSED EINSTEIN"

THE ANNUAL PLANTING OF THE MUMS STARTED TODAY, OVER 10,000 MUMS ARE GROWN AT GREENSCAPE GARDENS. WATCH THE MUM FIELD ALONG DOUGHERTY FERRY RD. BELIEVE IT OR NOT---
IN THREE MONTHS THESE 1 INCH PLANTS WILL EXCEED 12 - 18 INCHES IN HEIGHT AND WIDTH.
ORDER YOUR MUMS TODAY FOR BEST SELECTION!!!!!!

THE OLD SIGN PHILOSOPHER THOUGHT OF THE DAY
EVER STOP TO THINK---& FORGOT TO START AGAIN

SERVED MORE HOTDOGS -- THAN MCDONALDS
referring to the BBQ this past weekend

MEMORIAL DAY BBQ ENJOYED BY MANY
CHECK OUT THE PHOTOS FROM MEMORIAL DAY BBQ

NEW POST TODAY: CHECK OUT THE NEW ROSE ARTICLE ABOUT PLANTING AND CARE.

MEMORIAL DAY BBQ & SALE ---
MONDAY EVENTS: LIVE MUSIC WITH GARGOYLE LOUNGE BETWEEN 1 AND 4. GREAT MUSIC....THE FOURTH YEAR OF APPEARING AT GREENSCAPE GARDENS.
HOW ABOUT A FREE LUNCH.......YOU DON'T HAVE TO SPEND A DIME, FREE HOT DOGS AND SODA. OUR WAY OF SAYING THANKS! TO THE GREATEST CUSTOMERS IN ST. LOUIS.
INTERNET CUSTOMER SPECIAL!!!!! BUY ONE HANGING BASKET AND GET THE SECOND ONE FREE.
ANOTHER INTERNET CUSTOMER ONLY SPECIAL!!!! GUESS THE AMOUNT OF HOT DOGS SERVED OVER THE WEEKEND AND WIN A $50 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO GREENSCAPE GARDENS. ENTER YOUR GUESS ON THE GREEN BLOG AND WIN. DEADLINE JUNE 2, 2004

SEE YOU AT THE GARDEN CENTER -- GUARANTEED FUN AND STORM FREE!

11TH ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND BBQ & SALE CONTINUES
FREE HOT DOGS AND SODA
NO BAND ON SUNDAY BUT WE'LL HAVE THE KARAOKE. WE'LL GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE A ST. LOUIS IDOL. WE'LL HAVE "GREASE", "BEST HITS OF THE 60'S", "BEST HITS OF THE 70'S", "SINGING IDOL" OR BRING YOUR OWN MUSIC. GOOD OR BAD, WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO TURN DOWN THE VOLUME.
INTERNET COUPON ONCE AGAIN FOR SUNDAY---BUY ONE HANGING BASKET AND GET ONE FREE BASKET. ONLY FOR INTERNET CUSTOMERS. PLUS WE HAVE DOGWOODS AT 20% OFF, SEVERAL VARIETIES OF PERENNIALS AT HALF PRICE.
DEFY THE WEATHERMAN AND COME TO GREENSCAPE GARDENS!!!!
****GUESS THE NUMBER OF HOT DOGS SERVED OVER THE 3 DAY WEEKEND AND WIN A $50 GIFT CERTIFICATE FROM GREENSCAPE***
THIS OFFER IS FOR INTERNET CUSTOMERS ONLY.....REGISTER YOUR EDUCATED GUESS ON THE GREEN BLOG. DEADLINE 06/02/04

11TH ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND BBQ & SALE
FREE HOT DOGS AND SODA
LIVE BAND -- SATURDAY MARKIE ROCK--PLAYING SONGS FROM THE 60'S, 70'S & 80'S. GOOD OLD ROCK --- NO RAP!!!
GREAT COVER BAND ON MONDAY -- GARGOYLE LOUNGE, ONCE AGAIN GREENSCAPE GARDENS BRINGS BACK THIS GREAT BAND PLAYING YOUR FAVORITES.
HOW ABOUT SOME SALES----IF YOU'RE ON OUR INTERNET LIST YOU ALREADY HAVE A COUPON FOR BUY ONE GET ONE FREE HANGING BASKETS. PLUS WE'LL HAVE HOURLY SPECIALS ALL WEEKEND.
***GUESS THE NUMBER OF HOT DOGS SERVED OVER THE 3 DAY WEEKEND AND WIN A $50 GIFT CERTIFICATE FROM GREENSCAPE***
ENTER YOUR GUESS ON THE GREEN BLOG COMMENT WITH YOUR GUESS AND EMAIL ADDRESS. ONCE AGAIN THIS OFFER IS FOR INTERNET CUSTOMERS ONLY---NO CHEATING, IF YOU ASK THE NUMBER OF HOTDOGS SERVED, YOU PROBABLY WON'T GET A STRAIGHT ANSWER. HOT DOG SWEEPSTAKE DEADLINE 06/02/04 AT 8PM.
HAVE A GREAT MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND AND VISIT YOUR FRIENDS AT GREENSCAPE GARDENS!!!!

ANOTHER LETTER FROM A SOLDIER SERVING IN IRAQ

This is a letter from Ray Reynolds, a medic in the Iowa Army National Guard, serving in Iraq.

As I head off to Baghdad for the final weeks of my stay in Iraq, I wanted to say thanks to all of you who did not believe the media. They have done a very poor job of covering everything that has happened. I am sorry that I have not been able to visit all of you during my two week leave back home.

And just so you can rest at night knowing something is happening in Iraq that is noteworthy, I thought I would pass this on to you. This is the list of things that has happened in Iraq recently. Please share it with your friends and compare it to the version that your paper is producing.

* Over 400,000 kids have up to day immunization.
* School attendance is up 80% from levels before the war.
* Over 1,500 schools have been renovated and rid of the
weapons stored there so education can occur.
* The port of Uhm Qasar was renovated so grain can be off
loaded from ships faster.
* The country had its first 2 billion barrel export of oil in August.
* Over 4.5 million people have clean drinking water for the first
time ever in Iraq.
* The country now receives 2 times the electrical power it did
before the war.
* 100% of the hospitals are open and fully staffed, compared to
35% before the war.
* Elections are taking place in every major city, and city councils
are in place.
* Sewer and water lines are installed in every major city.
* Over 60,000 police are patrolling the streets.
* Over 100,000 Iraqi civil defense police are securing the country
* Over 80,000 Iraqi soldiers are patrolling the streets side by
side with US soldiers.
* Over 400,000 people have telephones for the first time ever.
* Students are taught field sanitation and hand washing
techniques to prevent the spread of germs.
* An interim constitution has been signed.
* Girls are allowed to attend school.
* Textbooks that don't mention Saddam are in the schools for
the first time in 30 years.

Don't believe for one second that these people do not want us there. I have met many, many people from Iraq that want us there, and in a bad way. They say they will never see the freedoms we talk about but they hope their children will. We are doing a good job in Iraq and I challenge anyone, anywhere to dispute me on these facts. This soldier will set him straight.

Ray Reynolds, SFC
Iowa Army National Guard
234th Signal Battalion

Editors Note:

One line was deleted from the text because of its political nature. As you all know, I am politically incorrect on most issues--so the political overtones were removed.

THE OLD SIGN PHILOSOPHER THOUGHT OF THE DAY
DRIVE CAREFULLY
CARS AREN'T THE ONLY THING RECALLED BY THEIR MAKER

The 11th Annual Greenscape Gardens Memorial Day Weekend BBQ and Sale starts next weekend. Watch the Blog for all the upcoming events. Make plans now for lunch and/or supper at Greenscape Gardens on the patio for great hot dogs and soda. Plus live entertainment Saturday and Monday.

THE OLD SIGN PHILOSOPHER THOUGHT OF THE DAY
SIGN SPEL CHEX BROKIN
This is to appease several people who disliked
SUPORT PUBLIK EDUKASEN
Who said I couldn't be politically correct!!!

THE OLD SIGN PHILOSOPHER THOUGHT OF THE DAY
TIME IS PRECIOUS==WASTE IT WISELY

The 17 year cicadas are beginning to emerge. These noisy, red-eyed insects can cause damage to young tree stems, emerge as adults every 17 years. There are as many as 12 broods of the pest, but Brood X, which emerges this year is the largest. By late June, the adult cicadas will have mated, laid their eggs and died.

Check out http://www.cicadamania.org for additional information including souvenirs & T shirts. Why didn't I think of that?

THE OLD SIGN PHILOSOPHER THOUGHT OF THE DAY
SUPORT PUBLIK EDUKASEN

Another great St. Louis weekend and another busy two days at the garden center. We still have a great selection of GREENSCAPE GROWN PERENNIALS and zillions of annual flowers. We also have the greatest selection of hanging baskets and 12" annual planters.

Brad Loyet finished #1 at Tri City Raceways in the Micro Sprints Saturday Night. Congratulations Brad!!!!!

UPCOMING EVENTS AT GREENSCAPE GARDENS

MAY 15 (SATURDAY) RACE DAY AT THE GARDENS
BRAD LOYET & LOYET MOTORSPORTS. CHECK OUT THE RACE CARS. MEET BRAD LOYET, ST. LOUIS'S FUTURE CHAMPION. BRAD IS CURRENTLY 3RD IN USAC NATIONAL STANDINGS. #1 ROOKIE.

MAY 29 (SATURDAY) 11TH ANNUAL BBQ -- FREE HOTDOGS & SODA PLUS LIVE MUSIC WITH MARKIE ROCK, FEATURING MUSIC FROM THE 60'S & 70'S, AMERICA, 3 DOG NIGHT, CREDENCE, BEACH BOYS AND JIMMY BUFFETT.

MAY 30 (SUNDAY) 11TH ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY BBQ -- FREE HOT DOGS & SODA.

MAY 31 (MONDAY) 11TH ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY BBQ -- FREE HOT DOGS & SODA. LIVE MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT WITH GARGOYLE LOUNGE. RELAX & LISTEN TO THE GREAT MUSIC OF THE TALENTED GARGOYLE LOUNGE APPEARING AT 1 - 4 PM.

HOPE TO SEE YA! ITS THE GREENSCAPE GARDENS WAY OF SAYING "THANK YOU ST. LOUIS FOR ANOTHER GREAT YEAR"

THE OLD SIGN PHILOSPHER THOUGHT OF THE DAY
$1 TO 1 MILLION, GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE.

WOW, WHAT A WEEKEND. THANK YOU ST. LOUIS, YOU ARE THE GREATEST CUSTOMERS IN THE WORLD. WE HAD A RECORD BREAKING SATURDAY. PLUS A RECORD BREAKING WEEKEND.

THIS COMING SATURDAY IS RACE DAY AT THE GARDEN CENTER. CHECK OUT THE RACING CARS OF LOYET MOTORSPORTS. BRADLEY LOYET IS THE STANDOUT ROOKIE IN USAC AND PRESENTLY IS 3RD IN NATIONAL STANDINGS. CHECKOUT HIS WEBSITE AT WWW.BRADLEYLOYET.COM SEE YOU SATURDAY!!!!!!!

THE OLD SIGN PHILOSPHER THOUGHT OF THE DAY
MOTHERS ARE THE FLOWERS IN THE GARDEN OF LIFE

Check out the new article about Azaleas and Rhododendrons. Everything you ever wanted to know but you were afraid to ask.

THE OLD SIGN PHILOSPHER THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Mothers are the flowers
In the Garden of Life

Another cold day at the garden center but behold the sun and no rain until closing time at 5.

READ THE MOVING LETTER OF HOPE FROM IRAQ ON THE GREENSCAPE GARDENS WEBSITE OR ON THE GREEN BLOG APRIL 29TH. SHARE THIS TRULY AMAZING LETTER WITH EVERYONE AND PRAY FOR JOSH'S SAVE RETURN HOME TO ST. LOUIS.

You saw it first on the Greenscape Gardens website

The St. Louis Business Journal published Josh Eckhoff's letter of Hope from Iraq in today's edition. We posted this emotional letter of Hope on Thursday. Read it on the April 29th Green Blog or access this incredible letter on our website. We all pray for his save return.

God Bless Our Troops
Read the letter of Hope from Iraq on the website or the April 29 Green Blog.

Another load of tropicals arrived from Florida today! Come early for the best selection.

Zoysia is now available.

THE OLD SIGN PHILOSPHER THOUGHT OF THE DAYToday is tommorow
According to the weatherman



The following email is from Josh Eckhoff, a soldier stationed somewhere in Iraq. Josh is more than a soldier, he has been an employee of Greenscape Gardens for three years, a friend of everyone at the garden center, a boyfriend and is like a son to our family. The following letter was addressed to the students at Parkway South High School.

To My Fellow Patriots,

As I sit here writing in this hostile land, I wonder if these thoughts will reach you. Not so much in the physical sense, but more on an intellectual and emotional level. I hope that my simple words will somehow find their way into your busy hearts and minds.

I suppose you are wondering just who "I" am. Quite simply put, I am an American Soldier, but I am much more than you might imagine. I am a friend and a son, a student and an athlete. I am a teenager, an adolescent and an adult. I am much like you, with one very distinctive exception.....I am in Iraq. My name is Joshua Eckhoff and I graduated from South High just last year. I have been "in country" now for over three months, and I have learned a few things along the way. I must admit though, these are not the types of ideas that one would expect to teach a person.

I must share with you what I have come to know as two of the most powerful forces in the world today, Kindness and Hope. Unlike the divisive power of bullets and bombs, the power of kindness and hope comes from bringing people closer and reminding us that we are all in this together.

As a soldier, I have been exposed to the evils and horrors of war. However, I have also experienced the effects of endless kindness from my family, my friends, my teachers, and from total strangers. I have received endless support and have been showered with kindness, but the greatest gift these people have given me is the gift of Hope. Hope of a better day, hope of coming home, and hope of having the opportunity to return the kindness that has been so selfessly shown to me in the months that I have been gone.

Now, it is my hope that I can pass the importance of my realization on to you. I challenge you to shower those around you with kindness, not only your friends, but more importantly your enemies. Sometimes, the simple kindness of an honest smile can provide someone with just enough hope to make it through the day. You many never know the affect that your kindness has on certain
people, but know this....a kind word or act often inspires hope in those who need it most. I have seen the glimer of hope in an Iraqi child's eyes, and I assure you that hope, like kindness, transcends cultural and racial barriers. In this time of war, I challenge you to show unconditional kindness to those around you and to inspire hope in every life that you touch.

I hope these words find their way across the miles.....I hope to make a difference....I hope to inspire...I hope to have the opportunity to be kind...I hope to see you all again in good time....
I HOPE!

With Patriot Pride, Joshua Eckhoff (class of 2003)

P.S. I am very proud of all my fellow Patriots at South High, both the students and the faculty...you're simply the best!

Editors Note: Please pray for the save return of Josh, he could easily be your son, grandson, brother, husband, friend or neighbor.