Lefleur1 and prairiemoon--My sure fire earwig bait. I have never set this out in the evening without having some earwigs in the container in the morning. Note--baby earwigs are grey and turn red as they age so don't think it is another bug. Baby earwigs are ravenous when they hatch and can strip a plant down to the stem in 1 night Bait for Earwigs. Equal parts of full salt soy sauce, cooking oil and (molasses or corn syrup). The molasses or syrup is bait to attract them--the oil doesn't allow them to crawl back out and the salt in the soy sauce finishes them off and makes the mixture dark so they think it is just a hole. Put it in a small container��" I use those small scoops from laundry soap and place a stone on top but you can use any small container even the bottom of a soda or water bottle and anything for a lid. Cover 1/2 inch of the bottom of the container with the mixture and bury it up to the brim in the soil where you have a problem with them. Prop a lid over it so it doesn't get diluted by rain and so it is a nice dark place for them to hide for the day--ha. When you prop the lid, leave a small space for them to crawl into the container. You might have to wait a couple of days for it to work, but the first time I tried it I used a baby food bottle and it was full to the brim with little grey baby earwigs the next morning. I was surprised at just how many I did get. Try it. It really works

Estelle and Annette - Happy Spring back at ya! Annette - In the boating world, they talk of a condition called two-foot disease. "If my boat was only two feet longer, it would be perfect." Greenhousers probably get it too. Thanks, MeMo, the bags are heat sinks. There are two 5 gallon buckets of water inside each one. I was going to spray paint the buckets black, but Nell suggested wrapping them in garbage bags, since I was afraid the black paint wouldn't stick to the plastic buckets. I don't know if 100 gallons of water is enough to do the job, but I am going to stick a max/min thermometer out there tonight and start monitoring temps. I'm not planning on trying to use the soil inside the greenhouse to grow anything, as there is grass growing there and when I move the greenhouse in the summer, I don't want to step out of my basement door into a garden. :-) I think that there will be a hoop house in my future, depending on how I do with flower sales this year. OK, Patti. Let's get those seeds started! Terryanne, I see that you're in zone 5 too, and I hear you about heating expense. I'm just using my greenhouse, along with lights in my basement, as a plant starting area in the spring. My grandsons do love to go out there and play with their toy tractors in the dirt on a sunny day in the winter. I probably won't do any more than use an electric heater at night if I have to. Thanks for writing, all. ThinMan

Dear Patty, I can imagine that this is so upsetting....I think, like LU says, it is best to discuss all her reports with the nurse manager on the unit. She may be misinterpreting something that is done, but nonetheless, it is frightening to HER. It is their job to try to minimize that kind of thing. I think it is normal for you to be grieving now. You have lost a big part of your lifestyle. My Mom was at home her entire illness, and I was like you....crying often because life was so strange and I missed our "normal life". Even if I took her to a movie or to shop, it was so sad because it was so different and she couldn't really enjoy it like she should have been able to, and I missed that fellowship. So, I think you are on target here, and it would be odd if you did not grieve for that. Splitting time with the nursing home is exhausting, and exhaustion makes you more prone to saddness and depression. My sister often told me that, and I think it was true. But when you are the sole caregiver, exhaustion is an everyday thing, and there is no way around it. Try to work in some time for yourself..things you find relaxing. Visit her as much as you feel you want to. But if you miss a visit, be reassured that she MAY not miss it. And that is to your benefit. Of course you can always revisit the idea of bringing her home...IF you can get the help you need. It is not an impossible undertaking, and perhaps you would have more peace of mind. I am so sorry for your turmoil. It is really very hard, isn't it. Thinking about you.. Shalom, Derry

Pesky, I didn't see your post earlier, but want to express my sympathy on this sad situation. I don't know if this might work in your case, but something I did when my dad needed help was to write letters to all of his doctors giving specific examples of his condition and the situation with my mother, who had lied to the doctors. They couldn't discuss his case with me, but I know the letters were read and most acted on them. We managed to get a geriatric specialist nurse and her assistant into my parent's condo, under the pretense of being worried about my mother's stress, and they confirmed the reported neglect and elder abuse. That led to my dad being placed in a very nice secure care facility for Alzheimer's patients. Your brother's case is clearly different, but perhaps you might be able to persuade his doctor(s) that he poses a danger to himself and others unless he gets appropriate treatment. FWIW, I'm a firm believer in gun ownership rights, and have a concealed carry permit. In this case, however, it might be a good idea to write a letter to the local law enforcement about your brother's illness, the threats he has made and your concern about weapons in the home. They might at least run a check to see if the guns were all obtained with appropriate permits or maybe some LEO would encourage your SIL to remove the weapons from the home, giving her the courage to follow through on your advice. Best of luck to you all.