Hi Lou, The down side to Lacebark elm is that they can get cotton root rot. I seen a few large ones die suddenly in the Addison area. You would have to send root samples to Texas A&M to know for sure but I can't think of anything else that would make them die that fast.

Becky, I've had a tough year too. I get it, but it's time to -- in the words of my late father -- get an attitude adjustment. I hated it when he said that. ;-) I hope you will understand what I am saying and know it not said with judgment, any harsh thoughts or desire to cause you pain. Sometimes there are things e probably already know, but it helps to hear someone else say them. That's where I'm coming from -- with a desire to help you over a hurdle. I see so much to be grateful for and to celebrate in your posts. Isn't it wonderful that you found that happiness and know that life has so much more to offer you than you had before? Eighteen months is not years or decades, but it is hundreds of days -- hundreds of sunrises, hundreds of sunsets and everything in between. And what about the fact that you were married? You may be a widow now, but had you not been married, you would not be next of kin and would have had no legal relationship or rights. He could have just as easily have passed before you were married and you would have had no say on his final affairs. You did say goodbye -- you tried to save him and pull him back, then you laid him to rest when you couldn't. That's more than many people get, Trust me, even when death is years in coming, you don't get to plan the moment or the way you say goodbye. You make the most of what you get and you give what you can for as long as you can. What do you want your late husband's legacy to be? What would he want the gift of his time with you to be? Sorrow? Being oppressed by his memory as you were a previous spouse? Or joy for everyday you had together and the things you know are possible? First tings first -- stop kicking yourself. You are not God. You didn't give him the heart condition and you couldn't save him. You said some things you regret -- doesn't everyone? And don't you think the one who loved you knew that better than anyone? If he didn't then, he does now -- more than you. Most of all, I want to suggest you try to spend some time each day counting your blessings. Maybe first thing over coffee, maybe in the shower or as you get ready for sleep -- it may be the first spring bloom you saw, a favorite tune you heard, a kind word said, a checkout line that moved quickly, that you didn't get any bills in the mail -- or at east anything unexpected, hat a friend shared a happiness with you or you were able to do something for someone else. Find a few new things each day and reflect back on one happiness from days gone by, Say thank you fr each one and don't take them for granted. The events in your life may not change (maybe they will), but how you feel about them will. I bought a greeting card when I was in college and planned to send it to my parents when the time was right. Instead, I enjoyed reading it and still have it. It had a Sandra Boyton hippo on the front and he was saying he was on a new diet. He used to eat when he was unhappy, so now he only ate when he was happy. You open the card and he comments, "I haven't lost a pound, but the change in my mood is remarkable." Loved that card and it still makes me smile. Then try to reach out to others who are lonely or in need of help. There are so many elderly who need companionship, meals or assistance with simple tasks, people who need tutoring. blind people who would appreciate reading books for them or taping them, children and adults in hospitals who are bored or scared, animals in shelters who would love to be touched and loved, walked, etc. You might even decide to adopt a pet and give them a new lease on life and let them give you purrs or wags. Helping someone else up always lifts you too. You can't replace your late husband, but you can lose out on a lot of life and happiness wishing he was there. Instead, take what he taught you and what he shared with you and go apply it in a life he would be happy to be watching you live. Give him that gift - now and should you meet again. I've shed a lot of tears too They are unavoidable, and they can be cleansing. Cry when you have to, but don't let them take over. You were given a wonderful gift. Live thankfully.

Jane, I agree with dirtygardener in that the plant might be getting too much nitrogen. However, even so, you should get some blooms. Do you know what kind of porterweed it is? The one that I eliminated from my garden was the coral porterweed. It got huge and only bloomed well once a year. I see a spike in the picture that looks good. It might bloom. I don't know of any insect that would eat just the blooms of porterweeds. If the spikes are turning black it might be some kind of fungus. You might try to hit it with some bloom buster and spray a few of the spikes or the whole plant with horticultural oil.The passion vines would be hurt by the horticultural oil, that is, the caterpillars would be harmed, so try to keep the spray off it, but the other plants around it look like they would be fine. The other thing is if you have a coral porterweed it might just be waiting to bloom late in the season. The plant does look healthy.

You didn't cite any specifics about the range (brand, model & serial numbers), whether the burner controls are analog/rotary and just the oven operates via an electronic panel, or if the whole thing is via an electronic panel. Confirm the oven and all burners are turned OFF on the stove (any part of it controlled by electronics will be off after a power failure). Flip the breakers fully toward Off to reset them, then back to On. Turning them On after a trip without fully-Off first to reset, typically they won't "stick" at On. If they immediately trip again / won't stay at On, or trip again when the oven or a burner is turned on, then obviously there's a further problem somewhere that needs investigation.