Frank, I am 50 miles south of SFO, in the (warmer) Los Gatos area. We are always 10 to 15 degrees hotter in the Summer. Raybo

Thank you Brenda and tcp Splish splash. The dog leg is a name the head groundskeeper (who also doubles as my DH) gave that section of the pond :) It wasn't hard but it wasn't easy either. Good thing about it is the fish can stay in the pond. We dropped the water level down about 18" to work on the pond ...where it is pieced is only 15" deep..it is a narrow passage actually about 32" wide (before the rocks go back) first you dig your new pond, then take the rocks away from the area, drop the water level, clean the liner real well. we attached the liners together with double faced tape as well as GE silicone. then we cut some liner strips (like a big bandaid) and and applied the bandaid on top with more silicone. We waited the recommended days for it to completely cure, then filled the pond and put the rocks back. Now if this ever sprung a leak the most that the water level can drop is 12" (that is where it is pieced. Here is a pic, the left side the pond is 3 1/2 feet deep, the dog leg on the right side is 2 foot deep (except where it is pieced -- that's one foot deep the orange koi is in the deep section and the white koi is in the dog leg. If you want I can make drawings on how we did it, but not until Friday, cause I'm working tomorrow. Joann Here's a pic from standing on the dock, Terminator is coming back into the 3 1/2 foot main pond. The left side is the dog leg -- that's only 2 foot deep. Here's Terminator, in the dog leg, about to re-enter the main pond. All the big flat rocks running across is to hide all the silicone lines. It looks like the rocks are high up, but there is actually about 10" of water on top of the rocks.

Jan, I want to steal your thunder a bit so I can tell the folks what been ailing me. I know it shouldn't be on this side but I will post a pic so as to keep in line! I had an episode about three weeks back where the Dr thought I had a mini stroke. It turned out that, that wasn't the case but I spent a couple of days in the hospital anyway! I went to Fl with my sis and started feeling a little sick in mid Ga. by the time I got to Orlando, I was ill but able to get around. we went to Abajians garden. He is a lovely man. Then to Stamiles ( guy pierce ) but they were closed. Then on to Trimmers where he was closed but we looked at his dls. fabulous garden. I was supposed to visit Phillip Reilly but he was a no show! Anyway by this time I was really sick so we started back home. I finally went to the Dr and had.. Pneumonia, pleursy, ear infection, sinus infection and an intestional infection. I have been treated at home and am on the mend but still weak and not able to do much, but take pix. Not that I have that many to take yet! Here is one I ordered from Guy Pierce a couple of months ago. For a ffo, it's lovely. BTW, Frank Smith was a few miles from my sis's house in Apopka but wouldn't let us come to his garden. No exceptions! Oh well, I didn't feel like it anyway! Thanks for all of your well wishes...Ellie

Hooray for ripe tomatoes! I still can't get over how healthy the plants are looking in the 'Tainers. They look like they'd be able to serve as perfectly manicured privacy fencing all summer long. I'm still waiting on Stupice to do something other than churn out ridiculous amounts of green fruits. I have 1 Shady Lady (didn't choose that plant myself - it was a gift I couldn't turn down, or else I would have preferred the 3 "gift plant" spaces be used for other varieties, but I digress...) that's about the size of my palm, but it's holding out on breaking for me. I'm hoping I find Stupice to be better than Early Girls, although it probably couldn't be much worse, imo. If you find yourself with any extra Bloody Butchers at some point, and I ever end up with any ripe tomatoes (which feels impossible right now, though it's probably just my impatience ;) that you want to swap for, let me know. I'd love to know what they taste like, since I didn't plant any myself.