Eric, last summer early in the morning about 8am I heard my Tabby cat growling and looking out the front door. Sure enough, there was a turkey walking around and pecking at stuff in the ground, just muttering to herself. I thought I had heard turkeys in the back meadows, but this one decided to take a stroll out in the open. I'm rural, so we get lots of wildlife...last nite the coyotes were running through the backyard and howling, but you're pretty much in the city limits, aren't you? Hopefully you'll get to see more turkeys. I was hoping mine would stick around and eat lots of JBs, but no such luck. -terry

Just seeing one feels so good, doesn't it? Flowers are good for both nectar and insects (protein for feeding babies), so it's a good call. Lots less work, too. July seems to be when there are lots of them. I hope we all get lots of them then.

From the Ohio State University: "Because of resistance problems, chemicals alone are no longer adequate for control of Colorado potato beetle. Infestations should be prevented by using appropriate cultural practices." "Hand-picking can effectively control the Colorado potato beetle in small plantings. Inspect plants once or twice per week, remove all larvae and adult beetles, drop them into a container of soapy water, then dispose. Dislodge beetles by lightly beating plants with a broom; hold a snow shovel under plants to catch the dislodged beetles. Eggs can be crushed by hand. A vacuum cleaner can be used to remove beetles from young plants. Lightweight row covers can be placed over plants as a barrier to prevent adult beetles from colonizing the plants." "Several natural enemies of the Colorado potato beetle can help reduce the pest population, but none has yet been found that alone can control this pest. Potato beetle eggs and larvae are preyed on by two kind of stink bugs: the spined soldier bug and the two-spotted stink bug. Ladybird beetles ("ladybugs") feed on eggs of potato beetles, and a parasitic fly and a fungus can attack potato beetles. Ladybird beetles also feed on pollen so they can be attracted to gardens with many pollen-producing plants. Natural enemies may be protected by use of microbial insecticides that are toxic to the Colorado potato beetle but not toxic to the beneficial insects mentioned above." "A relatively new group of insecticides is made from naturally-occurring bacteria that cause certain kinds of insects to become sick and die. One type of bacteria called B.t. or Bacillus thuringiensis, varieties san diego and tenebrionis, has been developed for control of Colorado potato beetle larvae. The bacteria must be eaten by larvae. These products are slower acting than conventional insecticides; larvae may not die until 4 to 5 days after treatment, although they are too sick to feed during that time. B.t. must be applied as a spray when eggs are just starting to hatch. B.t. is more effective at warmer than at cooler temperatures because insects feed faster as temperature increases. An advantage of the B.t. products is that they are not toxic to natural enemies of the potato beetle. Representative brand names and producers: Colorado Potato Beetle Attack (Ringer), B.t. Leaf Beetle Attack (Safer), Colorado Potato Beetle Beater (Bomide), Colorado Potato Beetle Pre-Adult Control (Dragon), M-One and M-Trak (Mycogen)." More info below. Sue Here is a link that might be useful: Colorado potato beetle control

Thanks for all the input. I plan to start decorating this week, and of course will take photos. Slinkey, I've been wanting to go to TJ Maxx for a long time. I just have such a problem with being able to drive AND walk a store then drive home. My right leg is my biggest Fibro problem. Plus the past month, I haven't been able to leave my Dad at all. Tho now I think I can for an hour or two. So maybe I'll try going there soon if I have a half-way decent day with the pain issues. My mind is willing but I think my body is self-destructing. LOL I thought it was the Myott that came in the colored like mine as well blue, brown, and PINK for all you Pinkies out there. (where's Judith? Our biggest Pinkie has been missing for so long. So has Jim. I sure miss them a lot) hugs, Karen