Hello, I live in Southwestern Nova Scotia Zone 6 and I have many rododendrons,azaleas, Mountain Laurels, etc. all of which were not damaged by Juan or the sometimes heavy snowfall we get and I live beside the water, also get lots of wind. I have some rhodos that are approx 25 yrs. and I moved 4 large ones two years ago, they are doing well. Last winter we did not get much snow. Waiting for tomorrow to see what Earl brings. It rained earlier now (after midnight) it has stopped, crickets churping. Down at the lighthouse earlier, tide going out but the waves were getting rougher. Betty

Diana, I'm so glad to hear from you. I was about to rent a snow cat and head up the mountains looking for you, a la "The Shining"! (Now there's a movie that scared the heck out of me.) Stay where you are and break out that secret stash of chocolate you've been saving. ;-) Glad to hear that you are safe and warm. Steven, I'm so glad you are safe, as well. I have seen some horrific video from the SF area, really frightening stuff. I'm glad that you have power and have come through this relatively unscathed. I hope that the worst is over. Edna, I hope all is well with you and your family, and that you will be able to check in soon. To all CA gardeners, no heroic garden rescues! Let it all be crushed, blown away or whatever. We can rally together here and replace everything that you lose. We can't replace YOU! Marilyn

Yes having a more limited garden is disappointing sometimes, but it does make it easier in desperate times. Hostahillbilly, I almost dropped the camera when that ac kicked on ! if you have signed up to Youtube, you click upload, and then you can pull the video right off newer cameras, I put the memory chip in the port of the pc, and load it from there. the technology and metods changes constantly, I can't even get anything off my nice video cam anymore, only my 100 dollar pocket camera. the quality is pretty bad but it is fairly simple to get online. i ran the rainbird sprinkler in the backyard one day, and my Korean Lilac bush was filled with small birds, all waiting for the sprinkler to make a pass over them ! then after it had they would all jump branch to branch slapping their sides with wet leaves, then they would wait for the spray to come thru again ...and repeat.

I know from experience that airlines make exceptions for their "important" (read: wealthy frequent flyer) customers. A friend of mine had luggage badly damaged (looked like it was slashed through with a box cutter), which include ruining several Italian suits, a tuxedo, etc. Many thousands in damage. They compensated him for every penny after they received a letter documenting what happened. Musicians are known to book a seat for their instruments. But I don't imagine that is something an average musician can afford to do.