I bought one of the first type (shown above) this weekend as a second feeder only because a bully male showed up last week and was completely monopolizing my Artline glass crystal lantern feeder. The hummers found the red one within 5 minutes of me hanging it up. I chose that one, which happened to be the cheapest one at Walmart, because it had no perches (as opposed to the continuous loop kind on all the others they had, which are known to trap hummers), and because the base comes apart for cleaning. Also, the flowers are at a good angle for the hummers to feed. My Artline crystal lantern, with its T-shaped individual perches, is the best feeder I've ever seen and everyone who sees it asks me where I got it (it was a gift so I don't know!). It's easy to clean (base comes apart too) and the bottle is thick clear glass. I love it.

Thanks, Silverwind! That's the kind of answer I was looking for, because it was helpful! (For any moderators reading this, I ignored Risbyhuggins, because of course I'm going to remove dead plants and put somethins else in. If he'd actually had any intention of being helpful he'd have seen that I was looking for advice as to whether I should put more of the same or something else.) I have actually seen a perking-up in the garden since the storms passed and the draining has started. It has pointed out that the snow peas have had it, though! So I'm off to the local garden center to see if they have any snow peas. I'm a bit sad to give up the idea of growing the golden variety, but I can get over it! If I don't see any there, I'm going to try some of the seed I have left. Thank you again!

So... today I trespassed a bit. I was just too curious, I had to go peek in the windows for myself. Unfortunately my phone was dead so I couldn't take pictures, but here are my updates! The curb appeal is much better in real life than in the picture. The roof was much steeper than I was expecting - it reminded me a lot of Allison Ramsey's Holiday House (but a derelict version, of course!). I was right - it was absolutely a dogtrot. The center hall is beautifully proportioned, better than I had hoped. Wide, with a lovely view straight out the back. The baseboards and trim were plain and wide, very nice. Re the siding: the paint was peeling everywhere and a number of clapboards were damaged, but I tried to push my nail in on a few spots and they weren't soft. There were a few spots where the eaves board (?) was broken/dangling, and the metal roof was faded in a few places. Structurally, I don't have enough knowledge to even venture a guess, but other than some sloped porch steps everything seemed plumb. EXCEPT: the old stone chimney was missing some stones, and there was a crack running through a portion of it. Honestly, the chimney did not look safe whatsoever, and I think it would have to go. I was also right re. dating the additions, etc., because I caught a glimpse of a pink bathroom through a back window :) The oddest thing about the house that I saw were the floors. Except the one room I posted previously with the wood paneling (which was in an addition), it seemed as if the floors have been covered in concrete. Of course, I couldn't go inside, but the front porch definitely was concrete and it looked like the same material was continued inside. It was almost as if the house had been built on a slab - but it is definitely on piers. The view off the front porch was lovely (though overgrown) - I saw at least two very old live oaks in the front yard. Attached is my rough floor plan. The outline/dimensions are from the property appraiser's site, the porches are in blue, and the greyed areas are the ones I couldn't see through windows b/c I was too short. The back screen porch was inaccessible b/c the door was locked. Yes, that front room is really really big.

ohhh I use to have a big old blind in the shed... i wonder if it is still there or if hubby threw it out, that is a good idea b/c i need something large enough to write the names for me to actually see! (I tried plastic knife / spoons once and no go, too small. Since these are garden flowers I want to eventually turn the markers into "garden art" with a purpose. I like the idea of beads on wire with beaded names, I could have nicer beads!!! of course there is painted rocks, but it would take time to find large enough rocks and then hand paint them all (and I would want a design along with the name) This is kind of a cute idea, maybe I could find other more normal garden type animals (birds, frogs, rabbits)