One thing I learned from that storm was just to leave them be. There is an antique store in town with some huge mature hosta out front, Sum & Substance being one. They cut all them down after the hail and the next year they were all SO much smaller. I cut one down as a test and it did the same. That one looks small again this year, so I will never do that again. I'd rather look at ratty leaves then have the hosta get set back so radically the next season(s). I think I have post traumatic stress from the event, though. I never used to pay much attention to hail warnings on the TV/radio but now when I hear one, the hair on the back of my neck stands up! Hail is so cruel to hosta gardens.

I think the price is a bit high for a vehicle that old and 140,000 miles. I would offer him $500. As far as the 360 engine, it is a good engine but not the best on gas. If it has the 3 speed automatic transmission you should be ok. Avoid the ones with overdrive. I have a 1989 full size dodge van V8 360 with 113K and use as hauler and campervan. So far it has been reliable. I paid $900 Jasper

mariposatraicionera, so sorry to hear about the tragic case of your relative. I can tell you from personal experience that finding responsive and expert medical assistance is not always easy even in the DC metro area. I am fortunate that since my wife is a physician who works at a major teaching hospital, she is able to utilize the resources of that center for consultations and/or treatment when it comes to family members. It was, in part, the insistence of physicians in the cardiology department at her medical center that provided the impetus to have a cardiac catherization done. One other piece of information that may be of value to forum participants: for anyone who is ever faced with a situation requiring cardiac catherization - the two imperatives when it comes to such a procedure is that it is done by a cardiologist who does at least 75 of these procedures annually and it is done at a facility that has a by-pass program as well. The latter is important because there is an inherent risk that during angioplasty and stent placement, damage can be caused to an artery which would necessitate immediate by-pass surgery. If this should occur, time is of the essence and being at a facility that can perform by-pass surgery is a god-send. Mine was done at a facility that does an average of 70 cardiac catherizations a day!! The interventional cardiologist who did mine does 6-8 daily! I now have to go to my regular cardiologist for follow-up visits since the interventional cardiologist does not do any "regular" cardiac care. It is amazing how specialized everything has become. talley_sue_nyc, your comment that "many people just live w/ a dull ache in their arm, and end up dying of a heart attack" is probably true. In my case, the moment I told my wife about the ache she immediately scheduled an appointment with my internist for the very next day. I went and cancelled it telling her that she was over-reacting! So I know exactly what you mean.

I am so glad you got some rain and not any tornados. Eenie Weenie looks good. I like Through Dark Waters too/ Too bad SelmanSelman'ss aren't doing well there. I have Tyger River and it does well here, but I am not fond of it really. Now Clown Parade is his as is Margaret Lee Boch and Mountain Bluebird all of which do very well here. kay