The instructions to include a handy clickable link to the vendor are below. 1. First detail your experience with the vendor. 2. Click Preview Message 3. View your message, and make any corrections. 4. Open the site of the vendor in another window or tab 5. Go to the window or tab of the site, and place the cursor over the URL (address of the site), right click-the URL will then be highlighted....left click on copy 6. Go back to your message preview window, hover cursor over the Optional Link URL box and right click .... Then left click paste 7. In the Name of the Link box type the Vendor's name 8. Hit Preview once again...you will then be able to test your link to see for sure that it works. 9. If all is well, click submit And perhaps give step by step instructions on how to post a link? I am insecure (and computer challenged as well).. I know that sounds complicated, but so often things are really oversimplified, and of no value to someone who doesn't know about copying and pasting...I can remember not knowing how at one point. Anyone have suggestions? Want to rewrite? Start over? Is copying and pasting maybe different with different OS or browsers? I think some folks like to use a control button when copying...have never done that b4.

It can be confusing :-) UCG's have become such a popular gardening additive, they are bound to generate a lot of misinformation......it's the nature of the beast. I'd also agree that the referenced article is less than fully accurate. And concerns regarding the acidity of UCG's have been around for awhile and conform to the same concerns and misbeliefs other "acidic" soil amendments generate. Much like other sources of acidic organic matter, that acidic contribution to the soil is limited. Just like pine straw, oak leaves, etc., the high acidic content of UCG's is present only when very fresh, leaches insignificantly into the soil when used as a mulch and if incorporated into the soil or added to compost, is rapidly neutralized. In short, any acidic content is highly unstable if it exists at all and cannot be considered a significant contributor to altering soil pH. Here is a link that might be useful: the myth of coffee grounds

Cazimere, I think you are referring to my foil bubble-wrap method. It worked very well for me for another winter, I lost almost no wood. I also heard very good reports from a few other forum members who tried it. Besides the cost of the bubble wrap and some potential comments from the neighbors, its a no-brainer! I am starting pomegranates this year because I think I will be able to keep them alive through the winter by this method as well. Scott

No- certainly don't feel that any ideas would be offending!! Not at all!! Some won't work- the way my house is designed I just can't section off a room. It is an unusual house to say the least. I might be able to appeal with LIEAP- I have a call in to a 'higher up' person. Because what heat source I have is not able to be used by myself someone said 'it is not adaquate- so they are supposed to make it adaquate'. Cross your fingers and toes. For those of you who are trying to 'prepare' for the possibility of Work Comp/SSI/SSD....there are either 5 or 7 states that do not use the Federal Work Comp(AIG Insurance), these states have much less support and you may end up with alot less Work Comp settlement/payments. SSD highest payment is $600/month. If you have worked steadily for 20 quarters, you can apply for SSI, which the monthly payments are dependent upon what your income was. You don't get both- you get one or the other- depending what you qualify for. Something I have learned the past 3 days of being on the phone solid...Salvation Army, United Way, do not serve all areas. There is a chapter in Billings, Montana, but they do not cross county/state lines. Here, where I live, there is neither. As Patches said- there is very little help available in Wyoming. People do not seem to be in the mind frame to help others 'for free'. Whatever they do, they want to be paid for it. If you and/or a sig. other are considering moving, retiring to another state, check out beforehand what services are available in case you get sick/hurt. In Billings, there seems to be ALOT of help- in Wyoming-zip. Patches- you say your cousin may be needing more surgery. If she is close to me (Cody), maybe there would be something that I could do for her when the time comes. If so, I think you can email or pm me. I can imagine how hard it must be to be a single mom with kids and need surgery/recover, without help. Right now it seems to be a waiting game for phone calls to be returned... pris- maybe I forgot to say, but I have already been on SSI for 10 years. As I mentioned above, you don't get Work Comp and SSI. Even when you get a settlement, say for example, you get $25,000- it is doled(sp), out over a 3 year period- so you never get a 'chunk' of cash. You must live off it each month. You can never get anywhere with the Wyoming system. cynic- it is good you are preparing also. I LOVE electric mattress pad!! I try not to use space heaters, as they are 10 times more expensive to run than a regular electric system. I give in though in the bathroom- you just can't take a bath in a 45* room! Well, I guess you can- our anscestors did it.... cynic- have you thought about an electric bed? I slept in one when I 'dog sat' at a friends- it was a foam type- a little warm, but I could get fairly comfortable in it! I have an electric bed on my wish-list.... Maybe I will hear from someone tomorrow. Oh- I talked to someone with the Wyoming Energy today. About solar energy. It would give me all my electric for spring/summer/fall....but Wyoming only gives a maximum of $5,000 grant- leaving a cost of about $20,000 for a small system. Well, I guess THAT won't be even a little dream... The government needs to make solar available if they want us to use it so we use less fossil fuel... So far, it isn't even near to being available to a low income person. Later...