As many of you know, I was involved in a chargeable accident something over a year ago, and, as I was over 70, our Ministry of Transportation sent me an "invitation" to take a vision, written and driving test to verify my current capability to drive safely, so as not to present danger to myself and others when I took a vehicle out on the road. The (small) "Driver's Handbook" is available for $14.95 (plus tax) ... but ole (frugal) joyful was able to borrow a copy from the library, at no cost (or did he return it late, a time or two, subjecting himself to a minor fine?). The vision test was O.K. for general driving - but not for the permit to drive a larger straight truck: I can have it reinstated within a year, if I can pass the vision test and I have had cataract surgery on both eyes, since). I passed the written test. On the first driving test, I drove too slowly and cut a turn (which was too newly opened for the lanes to have been marked) too tightly where two lanes were turning together ... the instructor jerked the steering wheel. I didn't bother telling him that I was watching the other turning car and was not near it... as I knew that my goose was cooked. Next time, I ran a yellow light ... and hit a snowbank while turning. Third time, last spring ... I passed. The driving instructor, a member of our church, said that I'd be good for five years now, would I ... not quite - just till Jan. 30, next week: big birthday, which requires seniors to jump through hoops. I have to take a defensive driving training session for seniors and a written test, plus a driving test for a few, as selected by the instructor, I hear. I've been granted an extension of my permit (arrived today) ... as my assigned test date isn't to be until early April. While I used to be somewhat watchful for my own errors on the road, I've become much more sensitive to that issue with regard to my own driving ... ... and with regard to the practices of others, as well. Many of us haven't made a habit of brushing up on our awareness of the rules of the road from time to time (regularly??) ... and chastised ourselves sufficiently when we transgress. In less memorable circumstances than that faced by Mr. Sullenberger the other day ... we face potentially lif-threatening situations every day ... on a smaller scale. How well have we taken the challenge to seek for excellence in the way that we fulfill that part of our responsibilities to ourselves, our families, the community and the world? And, if we honour Him/Her - to God? Would we be happy to ride on an aircraft if we knew that the flight crew (if there were no regulations) were as lackadaisical about keeping their skills updated and sharp as we are with regard to our care in the operation of some of the routines of our lives? How concerned are we to pursue excellence ... in the various seemingly-routine aspects of our daily living? ole joyful

I believe that I'm winning against the Thrips. I'm just at the point where I recognize that my unfettered acquiring of new AV's is not best for my existing collection. I've probably fought against every known AV pest at this point. And I'm realizing that I must be more selective in whom I buy from .... and leave more time (by having fewer plants) to tend/check my plants to head off any problems early. I have just about decided to limit my plant acquisitions to plugs and/or leaves. This was a recommendation of "All Abut African Violets" Annie that I resisted up to this point. But for the sake of the collection, I think that it is best. I've never had a problems with growing plugs. They are sort of the in-between step of growing from leaves and starting with blooming-sized plants. I do want to reiterate that I have perfect faith in the plants I've received from Lyndon Lyon and Jack's Violets, and the plugs I've gotten from Bloomlovers. I also feel pretty good about the plant starts I've gotten from Bloomin' Jungle, Blue Ridge Country Baskets, and Blue Mountain Violets. I realize, through my own experience, that ANY grower can have a pest problem from time to time, but I seem to run into more problems when I buy more more full-sized plants. This is my 10th year or so of growing AV's. I'm at the point where it has become more important to grow my plants well, ... than to have every new variety that come around the pike. That being said, MyDelight is on my list for next year. But so far, it's the only item on my list. Being an Optimara, I should be able to grow it from a leaf ...

Any woman who speaks out is labeled a lesbian as is any unmarried woman over 30. Effeminate men are labeled homosexual. The problem with these labels is that the victim cannot disprove them, no matter that they marry, have kids, etc. I believe with every ounce of my being that we have got to see those "labels" exactly the same as saying that someone has brown hair or green eyes. These negative associations need to stop. Now. If I'm 50 and unmarried and someone calls me a lesbian? The appropriate response is not to try to disprove, but to just move along. It's no different than if someone looks at my blonde hair and says I'm a redhead. It's a misstatement of fact, but it's not offensive.

Elmer - I meant "in the high performance house world" - net zero energy is the most common goal. Certainly not the most common in other worlds. When you start talking passive house, I took that to mean vs other high performance houses. An assumption for sure. My house is net zero energy with a roughly 15 year payback which is pretty reasonable in the world of super low interest rates. And I haven't mentioned it to any of my friends or neighbors. In CA, you certainly have solar as a financial decision. Very different world than other places. As far as "cool factor" - I am pretty sure that no one knows my ACH or my above code insulation. Even in CA - do you really thing most people do solar for "cool factor"? I mean maybe - but that seems a stretch. I could certainly seem some element of cool factor mixed in with personal philosophies along with financial self interest. Nothing really wrong with that I think. Bry - you are right - the bicycle is better. But that is really hard to work into most cities and climates and jobs. And how many solar panels are in landfills? Since there are 40 year old examples out there still working and a tiny amount of 40 year old panels, we can't really be talking about a lot. It is a pretty stubborn and short sighted person to remove perfectly functioning panels ... like Reagan did. Solar was also moved to China just like every other manufacturing. Unlike iphones, there are solar panels made in the US and Germany. And the manufacturing byproducts aren't exactly tossed into landfills either (ok don't know what happens in China). Nuclear is just so darned expensive. That isn't my fault. And there isn't anything we can do about it. All energy harvesting creates a problem. Complaining about the problems of renewable sources is often a distraction and I think you know that. Windmills cause cancer and all that....