Nick, thanks for the good wishes. In the Minneapolis area yesterday about 10 am, it was minus 11F; about 5:30 pm, it was minus 14F. Luckily, this far North, we have all our orchids inside or in a greenhouse from mid- to late October or so, so no back and forth, covering plants, etc. Non-orchid-wise, doing stuff outside can be a hassle, but the roads are always clear, except if we're in the middle of a heavy snow, when it can get slippery. On the other hand... Arkansas ice storms are dangerous. The one time in the last almost 30 years the Twin Cities had an Arkansas-type ice storm, bus service stopped, the Post Office stopped, the U of MN stopped, government offices stopped, plus all businesses - total standstill. People had been giving me grief for being a pansy weather gal from Arkansas. Hah! During the ice storm, I told them THIS is what we get several times a year in the Northern part of Arkansas, AND we have steep hills all over the place, unlike most of the Twin Cities. Their jaws dropped in proper respect, and my cred was *made.* Arkansas pansy no more! I hope you all in the more ambiguous weather zones are making it okay.

Hi Howard! Great to see you again. Your seedlings look just fine to me and its good that you have some of plants from your home grown pod. It is surprising how much water seedlings can use so they will need to be kept fairly moist, they don't like to dry out. I would imagine they won't go dormant this winter, or even the following one either, as DR's often don't when young. I hope your temps are good as here in the UK its diabolical, we have been struggling to even reach daytime double C digits!! It was 2c when I went to work on Thursday at 9am! Your plants look green and healthy so I am sure they will continue to do well for you, are you feeding them, they will need it now. Best wishes ;) Gill UK

just a thought. Why not contact the parks departments of both cities? They should have a list of w.wells if they have them. I can't recall seeing any but then I haven't really been looking here in St Paul. I don't think we rely on wishing, just doing?

I've got somewhat of a split personality when it comes to wishing wells. Most of the time I don't like them, but for some reason, usually at first glance they *always* catch my attention and make me catch my breath. Especially when they are on the grounds of an old house (100+ years). But once that initial "Oooh!" is over, I tend to think that I don't really like them after all. Weird, I guess. I also seem to like them - and this I guess ties into my liking them at old houses - I really like them when they are *real*. When you see a 200 year old house and there's a well in the front yard, you know it was once a working well. I looked at a house for sale recently, built in the early 1800's, and there was a well there, complete with the roof and all. Obviously it was sealed up, but had the pail hanging there, which was used as a planter. Looked really nice. Believe it or not, the well, like the house, was not in the best of shape, but that only added to the charm. Another thing that looks nice is when the open area between the wall of the well and the roof is filled in with lattice. There is an old farmhouse down the street, with its original well, that is like this, and they have annual vines grow up through it in the summers. I think since you have an old house, your well will look charming. I would definitely paint it to match the house, and personally think either the pail/planter thing or the lattice would look nice. Good luck, and let us know what you decide - and show us some "after" pictures! :) Dee