I have a Black Mission planted in the front of my house facing South.....and it shows no signs of FMV. The damned Voles at 99.9% of the roots off it last Summer and if actually fell over. I clipped off 2/3 of the top and placed the bottom in a pot full of soil and when I planted a month ago it had roots circling the pot. I made a ring of rat-wire a foot deep in the ground around it and filled the trench with VoleStop aka Permatill. Its putting out leaves and on nights when the temp is predicted to go below freezing a trafic cone covers it completly. The Voles have not bothered figs in the back yard eventhough they have tunnels under some of them. I guess they have more to eat back there. I'm slowly starving them out of the front and pissing them off with caster oil products. When we bought this property a few years ago they were completly out of control. From what I have read Mission shows FMV well it has it. Last year the leaves showed no signs of it. I'm not sure its going to work in Va. zone 7b but I'll pot some of it if I must and keep it going. I'll start the list with Col de Dame Negra "Black> and Col de dame blanca (white>. Thanks

Relax everyone, this thread begins with a political screed having little relationship to the "environment". Change "environment" to immigration or public education and the rant is equally applicable. Mother Nature has pro-enviro lobbyists, but they all compete from the same limited pool of financial support and figure-heads. What Mother Nature doesn't have is widespread and deeply committed citizens working toward pro-enviro ends. When environmental conditions become so bad (if they ever do) that the powers-that-be cannot divert public attention away from the mess, they political action might bring about marginal improvements. Environmentalism/love-of-nature/outdoor-ism/etc. is in the heart of each of us who claim to have voices to be heard about environmental issues. Environmental ethics win the hearts; hard politics win the programs. OTOH heavy-handed govt action has proven ineffective, often counter-productive in promoting the elements of environmentalism at the bedrock of our visions for the country.

You poor thing, I can't imagine how frustrated you are! The PB got a lot done the first week in April, I think the first week they wrapped plumbing and electric, and then began to work on the tile and prep for decking. Our gas was installed at the end of April and May was largely decking and veneer on the spa, which took a while as the mason ran out of materials... I did learn last night that they won't pebble until tomorrow, that was disappointing. Also, while they did drain the pool yesterday in preparation for the pebble, I noticed this morning that there's a bunch of water in the deep end and I'm freaking out. I e/mailed our PB project manager and am hoping to hear back from him, but I have a have a dreadful feeling that this might not be as easy as I was hoping. I know rain really hamstrings the PBs - but isn't there anything they can do? Are they in constant touch about plans? Do you have a "end by" date in your contract? We had Memorial Day in ours, so we're just in time if all goes well. Fingers are crossed for you - I know you must be going crazy!!

We got Dee loaded up in Shelby's van yesterday late aft. noon, it only took 4 of us. Shelby, with balance problems. me with bum legs, Tory & Leon, both with just the use of one arm, each. Aftermany phone calls to Dee's Dr, social workers, care center people, Dee's dr finally told us to take her back to the hosp she had been in, but to the emergency room where they will evaluate her and the put her in the correct care center. He was to notify the ER people she was coming. Shelby got her there and they didn't know anything about her coming. (this was at least 6 hrs after the Dr's call) They admitted her in the hosp for the night, and will make the decision where she is to go this morn. Shelby said Dee told her, just before she was to leave to come home....if they think I will go to just any care center...their nuts. I'll come first!! I told Shelby I think if Dee calls her to come and get her to bring her home instead of going to where she'll get the therapy she needs, she should refuse. Dee is going to be needing some tough love. She is so used to getting her own way and being waited on, she needs to realize her actions are affecting other people. So the saga cont.