Eden, that's a lovely shot of Jen and Kate. It has that timeless quality that would lend it nicely to a round or oval frame if it could be manipulated accordingly. Marian, I very much enjoyed the pictures of your lovely property. I think the "pour off" is grand and I instantly wondered if the pool was deep enough for a quick dip! The surrounding terrain is rugged and reminds me of the White Mtns. of NH. Wouldn't it be terrific if we could just wave a wand and, POOF! walking trails, stairs and handrails could appear where we'd like them? Do be careful when you're out bushwackin'.... (cluck cluck cluck; the sound of a concerned BIT... biddy in training). And PM, my my! aren't you industrious? if you'd like to perfect your wall building skill by all means c'mon up and practice here with me. ;) It's going to be lovely when it's finished. I noted with interest that you've deepened the bed in the picture. I plan to do that will the front bed here. The learning curve is steep when you begin gardening with little or no real background and a minimal sense of scale. It's that sense of scale that I find I'm developing more and more over time. It's going to look terrific when you and your generous DS are all finished. Be sure to keep a good photographic record. Woody, I've had to "terminate" exactly two people in the time I had my "straight" job. One was a slacker and it made me uncomfortable to have to "look over her shoulder" to be sure she did routine things correctly (or at all), so when it came time to give her the book I didn't really care. The other, however, was very troubling. She was illiterate and I'd never before met someone who couldn't read. She was punctual, cheerful, and she really tried. But she was unable to handle the simplest sewing operations in the line and was so disappointed when I had to let her go. I've thought of her over the years and wondered whatever became of her. So, I'm sure you felt a certain level of relief when the deed was done. I hope you gave Misty a swift kick and then went outdoors to torture the sod for a bit. I smiled at the "watched pot" comment, too. But for a different reason, I recall being the watcher... keeping an eye on Mum to make sure she was safe and noting changes and trying very hard to be "cool" about it. You bring such an interesting perspective to our conversations here, Woody. I believe Sue has blown us off, having retreated fully to the "dark side" of sound bytes. We can only hope that she and Deanne don't abandon us completely and forever. I was going to suggest that she was perhaps in deep mourning for Zoe, but that doesn't strike me as her style. :) Mary and her family crossed my mind the other day when news of the Red Sox triumphant double header hit the news. I wonder if they braved the rain delays to see all of it? And I wish I'd urged her to take in the Gardner Museum, too. It's a jewel... even the blank wall where the stolen Rembrandt seascape used to hang. 'bug, I'm sure there will be many weepy moments for you and your family in the coming days/weeks. Poignancy lends a certain "flavor" to anything... may the "sweet" in the sweet and sour be especially so. Was Indy a "puppy raised" dog? We have a saying here, "nothin' like a kitten raised cat" and it holds true for dogs, too. It's one of those things you miss out on when you make it a goal to reclaim other people's cast-offs. We frequently wonder about Rex and what his life was like before we "sprung him from the joint". Why are you telling me this, anyway? you know I hate dogs. Looks like I'll be working on Monday, seems like the prudent thing to do to head off a stressful dash to the finish line for a Wednesday installation; I'm always interested in containing and minimizing the chaos whenever I'm able. ;) I worked alone yesterday (I like that) but still came home feeling that no matter what I did, how much I did, or how well I did it it still wouldn't quite enough. It doesn't matter that it's not really about me at all, the fact is, nobody likes going to work when they feel the task in front of them is Sysiphean. I haven't returned to the cutting table pcs. since I filled them. Foolishly I set them up in the Salon without thinking of the mess the sanding will create (duh). So, I'll set them up in the garage bay and have at 'em with the palm sander today or tomorrow. Then drag them back upstairs for the finishing. Right on top of it! that'd me. :) Time to tend to some chores while it warms up outdoors. I have the sunscreen at the ready and a very basic plan of attack formulated. My greatest concern today is what to make for dinner... helpmeet will not be home until after 6 and it hardly seems fair to saddle him with the responsibilty for dinner after such a long day... . I'll have to think about that for awhile. Gotta be really easy.

Hi weirdtrev, Thanks for your response and for the tips! I do have all three plants in separate containers, I just wasn't sure if the containers were large enough (those big plastic storage boxes from Wal Mart, with drainage holes drilled). I looked high and low for something to use as a trellis---no luck at Home Depot, Lowe's, or Calloways! Not even tomato cages. I kept getting told I was looking in the wrong season and whenever I mentioned growing mini pumpkins in containers they all looked at me like I am a looney tune. I improvised with some tall wire sticks that have loops at the top and am hoping to talk boyfriend into helping me improvise further with the chicken wire we have left over from building tops for our Square Foot Gardens. I'm sure we can come up with something! Re: the flowers, are they female because they have the pretty orange flower? I still can't figure out the male vs. female part. I have lots of flowers on all three plants but only one baby so far. Thanks again! :) Wendy

Hi Fellow Hummingbird lovers. I am Aprille and like all of you am very fascinated by these amazing creatures. Something so magical about them. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and think from research that I've done that what I have is Anna's Hummingbirds. Anyway a few years ago I noticed a female starting to make a nest in the dip in my hummingbird feeder (it was a old bottle that someone had made into a feeder) it was later in the year and she never did lay eggs, year two she came back and I had moved the feeder so she built her nest on the L of our gutter, year tree she came back and did the same - she also laid eggs but never hatched them - all of this was toward March and always on our front porch by the door - not a good location. I think she finally realized this because this year (at least I think it's the same female) she made her nest in our back yard in the Scented Corkscrew Vine - right outside our back patio door (she really likes door ways!)well ... she laid her eggs, she hatched her eggs and we have two babies!!! I think they are roughly a bit over two weeks ... I have been lucky enough to experience this amazing thing in my life and have taken pictures which I have shared with my friends on facebook and then I remembered years ago when she first made her nest and I had questions I came here and everyone was so happy for me and so encouraging - so I wanted to share with you my beautiful guest and her young! Here is the link to my public album on Facebook - hope this works as it's been awhile since I've done this. Enjoy! Aprille Here is a link that might be useful: Facebook Album of Hummingbird Nest and Babies

I agree with elly that covering the mirror is the thing to do(a washcloth you can grab off when you go out?) As for the windshield, if putting the wipers up doesn't work, how about putting one of those accordion-style cardboard dashboard protectors (that keep it cool in hot weather) in your car, the kind with big eyes maybe? It might confuse him and/or scare him, and block his view of himself so he isn't rewarded for standing there. Just an idea; good luck!