Hi! I just joined the group. I've read several posts, but haven't found anywhere that tells me what part of Alabama most of you are from! I'm in Tuscaloosa, but sort of new to the state. I'm in a new house and LOVE gardening! The lady that lived in my house before me had LOTS of raised flower beds in the very tiny yard. Hardly any grass at all. We moved in March and everything was dead or bare. I've spent a lot of time removing some of the beds and planting grass since I have 2 dogs. But it's been fun seeing new plants come up! I have Hollyhocks (never have grown them before), zennias, periwinkles, hydrangeas, and roses. I'm slowly adding my own plant choices. Even some veges! I would Love to attend the swap. I have plenty of Hollyhock seeds to share.

I become very leery when man interferes with genetics that took many, many eons to develop whether one believes it was guided/designed by God or not. I believe the endgame to genetic manipulation is too complicated and random to be understood in a complete sense leading to uncertainty on a very large scale leading to consequences that can not be foreseen or hypothesized. Yes I enjoy my genetically modified corn. Glow in the dark mice are cool. It is truly amazing how far we have come in our understanding of the microbiological world and the biochemistry that drives life. The world would be a MUCH different place without the discoveries of the last 100 years especially the last 40 or so. But sterilizing a species by genetic manipulation and effectively eradicating them does make me uncomfortable. I am OK with sterilization by radiation to a large number and releasing them, however turning genes on and off and releasing the products into the wild is not something I am in favor of. Basically, evolution has been taken away from nature, becoming man's responsibility. We are not ready for this. When this kind of power is left in the hands of man, it will not be used for the greater good down the road at some point. I realize what is learned cannot be unlearned and "progress" by nature continues indefinitely until the mechanism is understood fully and completely. If Hitler's scientists knew what we knew now, can one imagine how much worse the atrocities would have been? Man is still a homo sapian in his genetics, not the deity he assumes to be and the animal will come out again no matter hard some fight to repress it. This is our fate I believe. I do admit to myself as we continue to destroy the world around us, this may be one extreme measure that might become necessary in the future. I do not welcome it. Thanks you for the article, Ark. It was a good read. John

My father was a WW2 veteran, could have gone to college on the GI Bill, but didn't like studying, so he went to work for Sylvania Electric as a draftsman, a white collar job, working for engineers who designed electronics(radios,TVs) and machine parts. He made enough money to support a family of 6 (himself, wife and 4 kids)for 30 years, and buy a nice house in the "suburbs". The Sylvania name is still around but the factories are now in China. Surprise, surprise. Dad had a terrific work ethic, never took a sick day except for several hospitalizations (ulcer and gall bladder operations). He was "laid off" in the 60's when the local plant closed. Through a relative, he found work as a janitor, later went to a trade school and learned "stationary engineering", meaning he learned how to fix and maintain heating and cooling systems. He loved this job-he worked for many years, for a while in a big concert hall, also at a Catholic school. He always said he liked this job, he was treated well, allowed to work on his own without supervision. I've since met several stationary engineers who said the same thing. I'm retired after 31 years for the federal government, but I know govt is not hiring these days. So I don't recommend anyone do what I did. But my father found a good path.

Oh gee, Threed! Yeah, you did explicitly state that in your op! Guess I was just so in awe of the beautiful pic, & I didn't see any clear beads (they all looked like pearls to me!) How nice that you created new to mix with the old so well! Good luck with your insurance matter. Is COBRA an option? I think that part of Obama's health care reform includes extending COBRA coverage to those on unemployment for an extended period (I think it used to be 8 months under the former plan, & it's over a year now.) I know you're doing all your homework & checking out all the options. You're a very resourceful lady & you always figure out how to address whatever challenges present themselves! I & so many others here will be praying about this for you. Thanks for the update & best wishes!