garland, depends partly on your latitude. If you have a south exposure next to house and out of the wind, they should be ok. On cold nights, you can cover them with cotton sheets, burlap, or even the light weight mesh from HomeDepot that is often used to snuff out weeds in the summer. uncover them in the morning after the sun is up. Plastic is not a good idea. Good luck. dl

We have a pindo palm in NC that was hit for a second winter while we were out of town, ice storm :/ about a month ago we pulled the inside out, poured hydrogen peroxide down the center and waited...nothing. Just yesterday I pulled again at the center and more came the bottom looking mushy and white like bread pudding. We have only had it three years but it's at least ten years old. Should we continue to wait or trunk cut it? It's beautiful, or was. The trunk is probably three feet tall and almost two feet wide. We are devastated...thoughts, opinions?

Good Thursday evening! We've had a false-spring day today, and I was out and enjoying it as much as possible. The best thing has happened!!! Remember when I worked out at Butterfly Life here and loved it? Well, when they closed, they donated all their equipment to a local huge non-denominational church out on the highway. I joined their gym last January, but they didn't have room to set out the equipment back then, so I quit going and switched to Curves. Yesterday, I learned that the BL pieces are now in a special room in the gym, so I went and joined this morning and had my first workout in 15 months on it. I smiled the entire workout! Can't wait to get back there tomorrow. :-) Today I enjoyed a much-needed lunch/chat with a lovely friend here. Then it was off to the library to help set up for the book sale this weekend, then on to the community center to get change and pancake tickets to sell at the bank tomorrow. I have to make a few posters for the ticket sellers to hang on their card tables when we sell this weekend. Tomorrow night at the center there will be a music program including lots of school kids and their parents, so my friend and I will set up there and try to sell more tickets. Suzanne, you probably don't even realize what an impact you have on your community, and those people are just paying it back showing their concern for Sweet Pea. BJ, good to see you, girl! Your SIL has my best thoughts and prayers for healing. Dinner tonight will be steak at the golf club with some friends we became friends with during the Fall. Should be a fun evening. THen home to get those posters finished! I would appreciate good thoughts as my dh has his long-awaited biopsy on his pancreas tomorrow. Thanks! Wishing everyone a good evening and an easy Friday!

QOD: Youngest DD went to a friend's house to spend the night. 2nd youngest DD had a summer slumber party here-I don't know why they call it that; no one sleeps and she has a party to go to today! 15 y.o DD was out last night with 18 y.o. BF - he now has his own apartment whcih she likes to visit. She starts pilot ground school today 8-6 for the next few Saturdays and Sundays. Oldest DD got a job running projectors at the local movie house, so she was working the last couple nights till 3 a.m. w/ the "Pirates" openings? I haven't yet. Me, I'm walking dogs, watering lawns, studying philosophy, ethics, and moral obligations, topped off with a load of meteorology and LOTS of laundry and weeding! I am going to spend an hour in my office as well--cleaning! DH is taking the bar study course 24/7, so things are running smoothly around here, really. GOOD LUCK, ERICA!!! Pictures, please! You are our "SS Daily Queen" mascot EVERY DAY! Zig~ Hope the funeral was okay for you. Those things are tough, but bring people together---and that's a good thing. Dee- Good to hear you're continuing the walking, but sorry about the pain of all. Syill thinking of your co-worker and her DH... Donna~ Did you get to go out to dinner? Raeanne: The questions on the body shape quiz didn't give many options for answers. I was an hourglass too, but have never thought of myself this way---I really think I have a boy's shape, sort of squarish w/ large shoulders. I was wondering how much stock to put in that quiz. Work-outs with enough weight to cause a fair amount of resistance is a great way to prevent bone disease and just plain be healthier---so I'm foregoing the femmy looks for that. Besides, as I get older, I sort of want to look like I can kick some @ss---lol!!! As well, I have really enjoyed increasing the weight at the gym from time to time--POWER! John-cats yet? Besh-CONGRATS on the 2.6 at WW Friday!!!!!!!!! I read about you unpacking your canvas bags and had to laugh---I have the same deal after an outting! Sounds like your weekend is FULLLLLLLLL! Be good! Milkdud~ What kind of swimming do you do? I've been hitting the pool for low key water walking twice a week. It's just a nice way for me to mellow out really. Maddie! Let us know how the Tedster's concert is. We are going to see Kenny Loggins in August at Saint Michelle Winery--1/2 hour from our house--so beautiful out there. Good luck on Monday's interview---I didn't catch what kind of business you're interviewing for... NHSuzanne~ You are so lucky to live where you do. Haven't heard you talking about DH and his sons lately...how's that going? Marci~ Cookie Lady! Good luck--taste and walk, taste and walk! It's sunny here---RARE, so I better finish my indoor stuff so I can get outdoors! Make this weekend a good one! Has anyone seen "The Inconvenient Truth?" (The Al Gore movie) and Has anyone seen "Pirates of the Carribean?" I haven't seen either but want to.