If you have complained about the weather this past week, Faithful Reader, you are too difficult to please. Despite the numerous chores left undone in the house, each day I have been lured out to garden work.

Partially, I've been potting contributions for the Carnegie Gallery's annual plant sale.

I trust you have that date on your calendar? May 31, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the front, the side and the back of the Gallery, 10 King St., Dundas. The big parking lot on Hatt Street has no charge on the weekend. If you have contributions from your garden, leave them behind the gallery, thank you.

This may be my favourite time of the year. The Escarpment coming to life with fragile greens, puffs of tender colours. The maple flowers, more subtle than the magnolias. The daily morning tour of the garden in search of survivors. A hard winter for roses and the lavenders. Squirrels have rearranged the tulips, the red ones in particular. This week should bring on the blanket of forget-me-nots. Too early to plant the window boxes, but I have gambled. Black pansies this year.

The current play at the Dundas Little Theatre is Charlotte Jones' Humble Boy. It is a curious comedy that slowly builds. The actors seemed to enjoy themselves. I believe that always bodes well, don't you? A cast of six and a minimal stage set allows everyone to settle in to some very finely drawn characters. First performance in England, August 9, 2001. A serious comedy. May 8, 9, 10; 15, 16, 17 at 8 p.m. For tickets or reservations: 905-627-5266 or www.dundaslittletheatre.com.

A weekend is too short for the annual exhibition of Highland and Parkside High Schools' art departments at the Carnegie. Always a delight, it gives the students the opportunity to experience putting an exhibition together, to see their work as art and not merely a class project. I have my illegible notes beside me, F.R. Marnie McFadden, Parkside, is headed for a bright future. Her Eggsactly blown eggs transformed into creature/birds and shoes-on-wheels caught my fancy. Dave Nardi's landscape teapot and Meghan Cooper's Get a Job were examples of Highland's innovative work.

Sir John A. Macdonald School artwork will be on display May 9-13 during regular Carnegie Gallery hours. The opening reception is from 7-9 p.m. Among these students, will one become a future Canadian artist? It could happen, you know. I could name a few Canadian artists - beginning with Bob Bateman - whose talent was recognized early.

I would like to thank all the F.R.s assembled at Melrose United Church last Saturday evening. I recognized a number of you - all in the audience. The Bach Elgar Choir, the Hamilton Philharmonic and the three soloists under the direction of Howard Dyck left me breathless. Hayden's The Creation which he considered his masterpiece, brought the audience to its feet in prolonged enthusiastic applause.

The three soloists -- soprano Charlene Pauls, tenor Mark Dubois and bass Bruce Kelly -- could not have been in better form and the choir more than lived up to its 103 year reputation. For me, the evening joined my lifetime achievement list. It includes Seiji Osawa's final concert with the Toronto Philharmonic, which means it was in the breathtaking category.

The heartfelt standing ovation was well deserved. If we had not been assembled in a church, there might have been some whistling and foot stomping. The next concert is Beethoven & Brahms, May 31, guests of the Hamilton Philharmonic in the Great Hall at Hamilton Place.

The Dundas Rotary Clubs have a bag (or more) of 100 per cent organic manure. The best for your garden and a fundraiser for their Driving Park outdoor artificial skating rink. 12 kilogram bags, five for $40. A great gift for a gardener. Call Jim at 905-627-7547 or Carl at 905-627-1456.

Join Cactus Fest's Art in the Alley

Time is running short but there is still time to apply to be a vendor at Art in the Alley.

Organizers are looking for original artists in any medium to take part in the show and sale on Saturday and Sunday, August 16 and 17 in Dundas Cost is $45 for two days.

Contact Ivor Lynch of Picture Perfect Gallery in Dundas, 905-627-3196, or e-mail junelynch@picturepcakeart.com

Deadline for applications May 30.