Hi, June. I've never had much seed loss from the socks, oddly enough. They really are so cheap and easy to keep during our brief goldfinch season that I almost always use them. I've gone through three of them this spring, but now I'm down to just two goldfinches and they are feeding mostly on sunflower seed at the tray feeder. I do have one screened in thistle seed feeder, but the birds didn't seem to like it as much as the sock. I've thought about getting one like you linked to, but never bothered with the extra expense, since the goldfinches are only here for 3 or 4 weeks before heading back north. They come through in the fall, too, but not for as long. No matter which style feeder used, they do LOVE those thistle seeds, and it is so worth putting out for them. I had males this year completely colored up, solid brilliant yellow with black wings and cap, by the time they left. They were breathtaking. (Not my photo, btw) One thing, though...I didn't see a single bunting this year. Last year, I had indigos almost every day, and two painted buntings for about a week or 10 days. I also had a rose-breasted grosbeak one day, and a blue grosbeak once. So far, none of them has shown up this year, sniff! My catbird is still here and still eating seeds, but the myrtle warbler has finally figured out that he isn't supposed to be a seed eater and has gone off to find the rest of his flock. The garden is so much the richer for these wonderful creatures I share it with. They make my heart happy, and I hope to find more and more plants and flowers that will help bring them in. Marcia

oh What a great view of the water, you have.I would spend a lot of time on the porch, when I didnt have flowers blooming.What is the long row of whatever it is in the water, sandbags? or cement?Sure is pretty over there. I Love CAKEPLATE Thats a gorgeous bloom and also CHERRY CREAM PIE, love that one, too.gee, your driveway slope looks pretty naked right now, I hate it when the daylilies stop blooming. Yesterday I had 6 big BEAUTIFUL EDGINGS blooming and was so pretty,. I took a picture of it,and will probably post it tomorrow. Was busy today with trip to the lab for tests,and didnt do it.Then the daughter took me to wal mart and I rode the electric cart, then she brought me and got me a hamburger for lunch.So,I was tired when I got back and was told I was to sit or lay down and prop the leg up,so I did that in the afternoon. jean

Thanks again everybody! Brandy, I do get plenty of winter! We get a few snow days every yr. Doesn't last long, but gets pretty darn cold. I hate winter. And I'm no painter! Christin, the garden really smelled more when the irises were still blooming. They're actually "smellier" than most of my roses. I have a word file that I use to keep track of the roses, with locations and info. Plus I have hand-drawn maps of the beds. I have to, or I'd forget exactly who is where! Gary, JOSHUA BRADLEY is a little farther to the left and behind BRASS BAND in that same bed. I don't think it's quite visible.

Have a couple of questions about using well water to fill a pool. Our outside spickets run on well water...I have never truly tested it for long runs, but generally the first 2-3 minutes I run the pump I get rust that generally clears up 99% after it's running...my best guess is that the sleeve they used to run the pump lines down 60' to my source of water has rusted, they must have used steel not the kind that won't rust.... I have a lot of water in our well b/c it taps into an underground river...I did buy a house filtration system that I can hook up between two hoses and check the filters for rust, but what considerations should I know before I fill it up? Pebble sheen is supposed to go in on Thursday..any help would be appreciated! We do have the option of running the city water into it, but it means unhooking the washing machine (which I'll desperately need the next 3 days) and running hoses around...even considered calling my local volunteer fire dept..any ideas?? Thanks! Tara