However, if you feel you don't have what it takes to write or you are just plain lazy, there are many great places you can buy poetry, both customized and non.

One such place is A Gift of Poetry. They have a nice selection of poetry with great customer service. I highly recommend them.

Valentines day is still a few days away, so you still have time to get your poetry ready for your loved ones. Give them a great gift this year, gift of poetry!

Garden: Don't bother to buy gardening twine, plastic ties, etc. for tying back your plants, just use old tights/stockings and I promise you will never revert back. You can cut tights into strips for delicate plants/branches or make use of whole stocking or tight leg for tying back shrubs. |You cannot beat them for strength and also they do not rot like garden string, but, more importantly, although material acts as a firm support, it 'g-i-v-e-s' so that it does not cut into plant, and is almost invisible among branches and flowers. We even have a use for foot (nothing is wasted) as tied onto end of downpipe as it goes into rainwater butt, it collects all leaves and debris before they have a chance to foul water, and when foot is full you can just slip it off pipe and deposit contents onto compost heap or put whole thing into refuse bin. The thick part of tight can also be used as padding to stop branches rubbing and becoming diseased. I also find tights very good for wrapping large cordylines into an umbrella shape before covering with winter protection, as they hold long pointed leaves gently but firmly. (As you are probably aware, if winter rain accumulates in inside of cordyline and freezes, then unfortunately it is goodbye cordyline, which is a shame as it is such a beautiful architectural plant).

Garage/Shed: Tights are also very useful for storing garden bulbs, onions, apples, old carrier bags, etc. Hang up in garage or shed and just take from bottom and reseal with peg. Also, good for straining lumps/skin from old paint, or placing over tin before replacing lid - it makes a good seal and you can remove lid with ease. Useful when painting - cover half of open top with a tight in order to make a temporary rest for your brush and any excess paint drips back into tin

. . . . . and so on . . . . .

I know that our brains feel as though they are hibernating this cold weather, but I hope above has started them ticking over and we really look forward to hearing your bright ideas. So, don't throw away all those old tights when you are doing your spring clear-out - WAIT FOR ALL THE FORTHCOMING GOOD IDEAS . . .

Talking of spring cleaning, I've just remembered another tip; avoid messy job of extracting cobwebs etc from your fluffy duster after dusting ceilings, lamp shades, etc., just put stick duster inside an old tight and then peel off tight (the cobwebs are then inside tight) and deposit into bin.

I'll leave you on this happy note - next time you ladder your tights, you won't feel quite so annoyed - you've not lost a tight, you've gained a useful friend!