Playintheyard...the dirt will NEVER get sucked off your floor unless you MAKE your son do it. That is a substance known only to women which I haved termed "MANDUST" ie: man dust. DEF: A substance seen only to women that is a direct result of a man doing a project. It is the substance (dirt, sawdust, crumbs, whatever) that falls down the wall and lands on the floor that men do not believe needs to be removed from the area after the project itself is finished! 'NUFF SAID? Sounds like it's good your Mom's around...she will see it as you have. Scientifically I believe it's part of the missing "X" chromosome in males that makes them have only the "Y". The clean up gene is in that missing piece :) PS: Hope you feel well enough to give orders...take care.

>>> But it MUST be pretty and it can't be too big or >>> too fast-growing. Any suggestions? First to come to mind is the Petite Negra (from EL) which is touted as a dwarf version (of VdB). Howverer, I do not see much growth difference in my 2 POTTED specimens. I think VdB is the better of the two. ALL fig trees respond very to hard pruning when in ground, meaning you can virtually grow any good fig in your place, assuming you shears happy. George (NJ).

Great new growth on the top of the canopy

Indigo, that is so wonderful. That first egg is always a cause for great excitement. Do keep us posted on how it goes for your Blues and Dees. Let's hope the HOSP have already found nesting sites elsewhere and don't show up in your territory.