Hi, Susan! I'm the other Susan and am so happy you're butterfly gardening. What area of OKC do you live in? Just wondering, cause I can probably share some things with you. If I grow a host or nectar plant in a container, I want to make sure it is hardy to at least zone 6 before leaving it out over the winter. That way, I can at least be assured it has a chance of returning next year. Zone 7 plants would be "iffy" to grow in containers because their roots would be more likely to be killed if we have a winter like last year. You can always take your containers and cover them well (with leaves, mulch, plastic, etc.) in a protected area of your yard over winter, and that will help some, too. If you use plastic, I would make sure it is in a shady spot so the pots don't heat up too much on our warm winter days. You know about our great temp fluctuations here, right? Geez, sometimes you just never know. Things you can grow in pots that would be hardy are: Rue, host for Black Swallowtails and Giant Swallowtails (you can get at Precure; I shop the one on 63rd street just West of Meridian); Fennel, host for Black Swallowtails (@ Precure also); Pearly Everlasting (Painted Lady host--Precure had some when I was last in there); Passionvine (host for Gulf Fritillaries and Variegated Fritillaries) for pots, I'd get the P. incarnata or purple flowering species which is native here; don't think you will find locally, but can order from some of our sources listed in the FAQs). False Nettle (Host for Red Admirals; I can give you starts) Pipevine (for our area, Aristolochia tomentosa, macrophylla, or serpentaria, but you'll need a ton of serpentaria) you won't find locally; need to order) MILKWEED, MILKWEED, MILKWEED! You can grow tropical milkweed in containers, and probably some of the species, too. Tropical is an annual, but is the best host for Monarchs, and a great nectar plant for other butterflies). I have some milkweed seedlings I'd be happy to give you. Senna hebecarpa (Wild Senna), Partridge Pea, and Senna bicapsularis (we can dig up a seedling for you). Wild Senna and Partridge Pea will be hardy in a container, but Senna bicapsularis, whish you'll also see referred to as Christmas Cassia, is not hardy. However, it produces lots of seed, so you'll have some for next year, too. These are all hosts for the Cloudless Sulphur and Sleepy Orange. E-mail me and we can get together! So glad to see you here! Let's see, what name am I going to be now to distinguish between us? Tdog goes by CalSherry since there are several Sherries on the forum, but I can't go by OKCSusan since there are 2 of us (hee hee). How about Susan Sr. since I'm old as dirt! Susan

Hi 2009 Value of ornanet tree or lumber are huge diffrent. Ask to arbolist who can value the maple tree. If you have to replace speceimen tree is very expensive. Somewhere between $20.ooo to $50.000. If you go to curt , you have to have someone who has credential so that a judje will lissten your side of story. Contact to local ISA chaper/International soceity of Arbolist or TCIA / tree care industry association. Both have web site. You have to prepair and get all information togather. centimental value has lot's to do when you ask for compensation. keep it in your mind that "act of God" and negligence is diffrent story. Sorry for poor English good luck yama

You should not hurt the plant by cutting off the leaves leaving a quarter inch little stem. In a week or 10 days when these stems go yellow, pop them off and remove any small pieces. Cutting the roots probably put the plant into a mild transplant shock which is why it looks worse than your others. Cut back on water to once a week and then none when all leaves are gone. Put it under a patio cover or in the garage to protect it from freezing temps and frost. Bring it out in March and begin light watering with superthrive. When leaves begin as claws, start a weekly to 10 day fertilizing program and add some plant epsom salts once a month so it has adequate magnesium to process fertilizers and which will promote flowering by summer. I am in N.Costa Mesa so I have similar weather with only a few mild frosts (except one hard one in 2007). Most of my larger plants stay in the ground but I shelter my younger and more delicate plants. I cut any tear off branches or branch cuts and after one day i put a glob of DAP cedar color tub and tile sealant and spread with a stick or foam brush. This makes a perfect seal and has a mildew preventative in the goop, which also stretches with age. It also looks great. Good luck. Bill First picture + untreated cut after time: Another untreated cut: treated with cedar DAP:

It depends on the VA hospital. The one in Boise ID seems to be great. My brother in law was in it before he passed away with Huntington's Disease. We did go and see him several time and he (and the hospital) were always very clean, room excellent, personal just great This was several years ago. Friend taken to VA hospital in AZ near Cottonwood, treated so bad, discharged to crappy nursing home in Kingman AZ, lasted only few weeks. Not sure why. Another BIL was in VA hospital in Tuscon and he got good service, but he would not cooperate with either Dr/s or staff etc. Got out and really caused the family problems. Because of staffing cuts, money cuts, many of the VA hospitals are just not as good as they use to be. It is like dealing with a HMO , you take charge, you make the decisions and stand tough.DO NOT let them decide what Dr. There is always someone above and they will do anything to just medicate the person to """make""" the problem and people go away. Yes I have seen this done in some VA hospitals. Who ever goes with FIL, take a notebook, write everything down, names, titles, times, attitude, etc. If necessary record conversations. Has he had a complete medical work? If not, make sure he does. Just keep pushing. Sorry to be so adamant, but if we do not stand up for the veterans who will.