Great story. You have a right to be proud of your success. It always makes me chuckle hearing people rave about how delicious fresh home-grown produce harvested at peak is. I have come to expect such quality every year during harvest time, it is a normal thing for me and my fellow gardeners. Think about what so many people are missing out on. Such is life in the modern urban society I guess, really rather sad when one thinks about it. I apologize for going off-topic but regarding the food shelf idea, I offered to give excess produce to my local food shelf. They said I had to fill out a pile of forms and agree to spot health department inspections. I could also be held liable if anyone got sick from what I donated, potentially even if the produce was contaminated after it left my control. I also would have to pick everything myself and drive it the one hour round trip to where the county food shelf is located. The simple fact is that people want free food, no strings attached. Most do not want to put forth any effort to acquire it. Heck, I was even told not to bring shell peas because nobody wants to have to shell them before using. Forget all that. What extra that I do not give away to family, friends, neighbors, and/or local elderly gets tossed on the compost pile, with a clear conscience and no regrets. Congratulations on your success! -Tom

We have hammock rings inside our Bali hut, and a hammock stand that hasn't gotten nearly enough use lately. Mark is a hammock nut from way back. He learned to sleep in a jungle hammock in VietNam and often took his camping with us, until it finally came apart at the seams from old age. Jungle hammocks are great for camping because they have mosquito netting and a "roof" above them to keep the rain off and the bugs out, but are still sooo comfy and have 360 degree visibility. We own two large double hammocks with wooden supports in each end, and at least six or eight smaller ones of varying sizes. When we hike, we always take two small rolled up ones along to string up and use as swinging seats while eating lunch. Good for an after lunch nap, too. The hammock is an age-old design that is pure function. And the function is such a NICE one! I would plant whatever you like in your restful area. Me, I have bees by the hundreds in every corner of my yard, and they never bother me. Doesn't matter whether I'm working or relaxing, they continue to mind their own business while I mind mine. But also, I'm not at all afraid of them, and I believe that factors into the equation. They don't feel threatened by me, and vice versa, so we all get along fine. That's just my own personal experience. With bees or without them, I'm sure you will learn to love your time in your new hammock! It's a great place to contemplate your plants and dream your dreams. Marcia

My aunt had this problem. She could hear the guy and whatever girl for the night "going at it". She went up there and told him "if I'm not getting any I don't want to hear you getting any". All jokes aside, do you feel comfortable enough talking to the upstairs neighbor? Is this happening every day?

When I feel achy, I go to my local manicure salon and get a massage. They give free massages with manicures and pedicures. Last winter I had a cold and had a bad stiff neck. Got a neck massage and it felt like Heaven. Of course I had to pay for a manicure ($8) and give tips to both the manicurist and the massage girl (another $10). So my method costs a little more, $18 vs $15 for a book. But there's nothing like human healing touch!