I share the philosophy that the JB traps attract even MORE JBs to your yard I certainly agree, but the few pretty roses that are left blooming now didn't have any on them this morning. There might be some a little later in the day. But I look at it this way. Obviously they are out there. The more I attract and dispose of, totally yucky as it all is, that means that many fewer to multiply from as far as they are coming in, not that I am attracting them all. It is by no means going to eradicate the whole problem even if people set traps all over town or the country. Over the long haul, what happens if they get truly out-of-control around the country? After reading the statistics on how many each female can create for more to multiply, approx by the power of 2 depending on the male-female ratio and other variables, over time they will only get worse unless something unexpected turns up. I don't want to think about it. Six weeks or not, that is a lot of beetles for which there are no known natural predators in the US, was trying to find what predators take them out in Japan out of curiosity. I don't know why they gross me out, did a science project on insects in high school, never saw any Jap beetles, prob not here then (50's). Maybe they wouldn't seem so gross if they weren't so destructive, icky legs and body parts hiding on/in a pretty bloom with holes already eaten in it. Otherwise they are kind of pretty and they don't hurt me (might bite if given the chance, not sure) On one thread, they were even going after rose leaves (and fruit trees) unless it was another insect pest that did that horrid damage in the photo. Fortunately I doubt they destroy entire plants unless they weaken them for something else. I do applaud you on trying to grow in such a manner as to keep the environment safer. That's what I wanted to do. Now I see that a few I'm going to have to spray or get rid of them or never see them bloom unless they get healthier and develop more natural resistance. If you're still with me, do you happen to grow Bleu Magenta, stumbled across that? It looks prettier in a picture I saw than Veilchenblau if it truly goes to blue/bluish purple.

I stop by, but it seems it is usually pretty slow here, so I don't stop by as much as the other more active forums. I live on 25 acres in northwest Wa state in a small valley. We have chickens, a few sheep, and a llama. We are planning on raising either pigs or steer for meat next year. I'm a pretty lazy homesteader... I like to pretend but don't get everything done I'd like to. That's ok though, as the great part is I can do it when i want to. I'm a terrible housekeeper as well, something I think no real homesteader would allow. I'd just rather do the fun stuff. Currently time to pick blackberries to make pies, and can pie filling and jam... won't be long till it's time for the apples and plums. I havn't gotten my raised veggie beds done this year (you wouldn't believe the rocks we have, I thought raised beds would help) so no veggie harvest this year. Next year I hope to put in an herb and veggie garden. Of course, I plant new fruit and nut trees every year. I want to plant blueberries next year too! And rasberries. Most of my gardening effort goes to my ornamental garden... so I'm a pretty poor homesteader indeed! I'm in love with Old fashioned varieties of roses, as well as waterlilies, iris, and peonies. We have a pond, so I can catch bass when I feel like it. There is a river also, and if you are quick enough when the salmon run, you can grab a few before they get too bad (they pretty much start to rot alive when they spawn... and we are pretty far up the river... so you have to be picky.).

We are cleaning "junk" out of the upstairs unfinished room..It is a good size room (about 18'x 23') My son Jeff and a good friend of his who has a flooring business....(he used to work for Jeff when Jeff had his business) They are going to put wood flooring up there. And I have a railing I'm going to have him put up along the stairway instead of a wall. We'll get it painted too.. But we probably will never use the room.... Just getting some things finished. Jeff's friend is doing it with left over wood from his jobs....at no cost to us. What more can I ask.... patti

Love these discussions! I already put the first book in the Longire series on hold at the library; I have never watched the tv show but the mention here got me curious. Love, love, love finding a great new series and especially one with lots of books so I can start at the beginning and binge read 'em. I've been in somewhat of a dry spell recently due to a combination of life-us interruptus (ie crazy busy at work) and just not being inspired. Below are the few I've read lately that I liked: An Untamed State by Roxane Gay -- intense, gripping but dark novel about a Haitian-American woman who is kidnapped while visiting her wealthy parents on the island. I loved this book, although again in subject matter and tone it's not a 'fun' read. Etta Mae's Worst Bad Luck Day by Ann B. Ross -- a Miss Julia spin off, for those who like this series you might not have caught this one but it's breezy and fun like the others. All Fall Down by Jennifer Weiner -- I'm not a chick lit fan but this was interesting, about a woman who seemingly has it all: fancy house, cool job, cute husband, adorable daughter and a prescription drug habit. Those Who Wish Me Dead by Michael Koryta -- a suspense novel about a teenage boy who witnesses a murder, is sent to hide out as an Outward-bound style wilderness camper and is then stalked by the killers. Really a nail biter, well written characters including some seriously scary criminals I Am Having So Much Fun Here without You by Courtney Maum -- a man living with his French wife in Paris gets caught having an affair, and tries to win back his spouse. You Should Have Known by Jean Korelitz -- a therapist about to publish an advice book on how women should know when their mates are straying is blindsided when....wait for it...her husband disappears after an affair that ends in murder(!) Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett -- finally read this one after meaning to for years. Wowza, what a story! I've got the sequel in my basket next to the bed, can't wait to dive into that one as well. 30 Lessons for Living: tried and true advice from the wisest Americans collected byKarl Pillemer -- a truly insightful book collecting exactly what the title says. The author interviewed elderly folks, and their advice is spot on for all kinds of issues. Delancy: A Man, A Woman, A Restaurant, A Marriage -- by Molly Wizenberg. A follow up memoir by the author of A Homemade Life, about starting a restaurant with her spouse in Seattle. Love this writer's voice.