We lived in NJ from 2001 to 2005 and had an unbelievable number of squirrels. They stole animal feed. They spoiled vegetable gardens. I even observed them climbing trees with tomatoes in their mouths. Eventually I started getting them with CB caps in my 22. Two would make a fine dish for the family. At last, I came to be at peace about these little villans. Though we could never quite catch up with them, and thus the damage never stopped. We figured them into our harvest. Here in Oklahoma we seem to have fewer squirrels (and more owls and coyotes : ) I've gone from grabbing my rifle on reflex, to leaving them alone. We even have one black squirrel which the family has dubbed "Dad's pet." She's obese from stealing feed. She even ruined my leather work gloves. But she's only one squirrel and I enjoy watching her. Where we lived in NJ was incredible. They literally did seem like an invasion of "tree rats." George Tahlequah, OK

Colleen, Pine needles, pine needles You are forever underfoot You get everywhere I'd give you the boot DS, Not exactly, but I'll go with it - thanks for pointing it out, as I generally don't read them. Now I will. RoRo, Well, you'll not think so when someone's got ahold of the 'vivid colour' setting, but thank you - it is a choice little number, isn't it? Brad, The buffet is always open for you. Marie, Jade Rose - now I'm seeing it. You're quite right, and thank you. Paul, You are in the majority, sir, but wait until Carl flowers in the fall (I'm hopeful of that, anyway), and you may change your tune. The picture (of the plant on the plant tag) shows 1.2 MWh of flower power, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

I forgot to mention that I, too, am one to wait a couple hours till I eat breakfast, usually. DH, on the other hand, will practically wake up eating. Sweets first thing are fine for him, too. If I've made some cookies or something, he'll grab one or two as soon as he climbs out of bed. He doesn't get that I'm not hungry when I first wake up, and I don't see how he can stomach eating that soon after waking up. I never liked tomato juice until I tasted my MIL's home made tomato juice from the tomatoes my FIL grew. I was stunned at how good it was. Decades later, and a bit more educated on processed foods, and food in general, I realize why I never liked it before tasting her tomato juice. Quality ingredients, freshly made, without all the additives and the taste of tin can (which the store bought tomato juice used to always come in), makes all the difference in the world. Sally

Had lunch with my Chinese friends (in a pizza joint LOL) Got another lesson in dim sum culture: 1. Dim Sum does not really mean âÂÂa little bit of heartâÂÂ, âÂÂsmall heartâÂÂ, etc. it is a common misinterpretation of the essence of the concept. Dim means to point, or to focus. In other words, itâÂÂs all about the heart. 2. Dim sum is not about eating originally. Even today, a Chinese will not invite you to eat dim sum, instead, he/she will say,â LetâÂÂs go sip teaâÂÂ. 3. WiKi is inacurate in saying that: â At first, it was considered inappropriate to combine tea with food, because people believed it would lead to excessive weight gain. People later discovered that tea can aid in digestion, so teahouse owners began adding various snacksâÂÂ. It was a common greeting in China, â Hey, congratulations, looks like you have gained a few pounds.â Fat was considered a very good thing, because you would be looking like Buddha. 4. Not too long ago in China, dim sum eating was a different thing. In the morning thatâÂÂs where scholars would meet, with their pet canary birds in exquisitely crafted bamboo cages to compete to see whose bird could sing better and they would exchange poetry and artwork. Commoners would bring their pet cricks in highly decorated boxes to have cricket fights with each other. Much like dog fights elsewhere, a lot of money would be involved, and the well known lineage of crickets could be very expensive. Little kids would bring their per spiders in match boxes, a special kind of spiders known as âÂÂGolden hair catsâÂÂ. They would have spider fights also. House wives and concubines would walk around the room to chat with relatives and friends they knew. Matchmakers would also be around to drum up business in arranged marriages. Cricket fights Such picturesque imagery. I asked him to recommend a few movies which would depict China in the old days. Hopefully with subtitles of course. dcarch