Thank you! I plan to be as prolific as I can for as long as I can.

Raphael evolved as I wrote him. I ended up liking him a lot better than I thought I would.

I've read numerous stories (and written several) where an important secret stays a secret all the way through, but in general I think it works better when the secret is out as soon as possible. Watching people react and deal with the knowledge is almost always more interesting than the hiding part.

I don't know a lot about gardening, so I'm glad I was able to make the flowers come alive (ha ha) for you.