Stevia notes

Wow Friday all ready, and I haven't posted since Wednesday! Shame on me the days are getting away from me.
I have been so physically exhausted this week, and I really do not know why. Well maybe it was getting the load of hay the other day, or planting and planting in the garden. But really just feeling more tired than I know I should be.
You know that feeling like each leg weighs 150 lbs?
I have about as much grace and reaction speed today as a turtle would on a brisk cold day, in the shade.
Not sure if I mentioned it previously, but about 4 years ago or so I planted a patch of Stevia.I thought the Stevia plants would be a nice addition in my tea mixes (I was right by the way, a touch of sweetness without adding sugar). I like to try perennials that have medicinal qualities, and if they do well ... let them grow. Mints, lemon balm, honeysuckle, roses, and soon Stevia, abound. All excellent ingredients for making tea. Rose hips for example are an excellent source of high levels of vitamin C.
That is why I am so happy to report that, even though last year I did not get the opportunity to "put my garden to bed" for the season, because of the October cancer diagnosis, the Stevia, and numerous newly formed off shoots, have made it back for 2010 quite robustly.
This is an exceptionally good sign that it will handle the southern climate here. I was a bit concerned last year, because in high summer heat I did end up making a little tent, so that the hottest part of the day the patch was shaded. They would wilt around 2-3 o'clock each day, then bounce back after the sun passed.
Stevia you may have noticed is big in current television commercials. Of course processed no doubt as has been done with regular sugar.
Stevia is a natural sweetener that originated from South America. The Guarani Indians of Paraguay have used it for hundreds of years, and like many other things we can grow and use in its natural state, stevia will go the patent and pill form route of many other good natural mother earth plants.
Make the Mighty dollar right Monsanto?
Well signing off for now, but will try to check in later:)