Well, I guess we can't complain much about the weather, or neighbors to the north and west have had it so bad. We've had a snow/slush mix for several days, only accumlation is on the deck, and windbreaks in the pasture. Horses decided they needed a different pasture, so the onery one just pushed her bulk against the gate till it gave way.Only benefit is, they dont want hay now. On another forum , a poster in N.Y said she was still paying 1.00 per square bale. Did you get your stitches out, Gldno? Did everyone have a nice Christmas? Its so nice to see new posters, and former ones coming back, missed you even if I dont know you personally, keep posting. Do you like a journal type entry? William, I'm in trouble!! The site I mentioned Gary Ibsens Tomato Fest, wants a 15.00 order!! Do you know how many tomato seeds that would be?? And I SIMPLY MUST have San Marzeno Redorta, and Long Tom, so guess I'll be adding to storage seeds. And then!!LOL--did you see Tangerine Mama in Burpees? Yes, my name is-------- and I'm addicted to growing, tomatoes especially. And, Hope springs eternal, I'm going to try yellow, purple, and green cauliflower again--just not so much. I cut my garden down some last year, told myself that at my age, I didnt need so much--but myself dont listen to me in the spring!! I find myself admiring how well the beds are looking, with the leaves mounded over them. Gldno, I read another Catherine Coulter book yesterday, F.B.I series, the sheriff finally found his wife (from a previous book) It was "Double Take". I've also read James Patterson's "Quickie" and Sandra Browns "Play Dirty" With all this mixture falling from the sky, its either gaze wistfully out the window at the garden, or curl up by the fire with a good book--or a seed catalog. Got territoral yesterday, Havent gotten Baker Creek, despite complaining, so guess they wont get a order. Oh, and I must tell you about my Christmas Turkey!! It was PURPLE!! I was ready to put it in the oven when I noticed under the skin, the entire bird was purple! It didnt have a off smell, just like a raw turkey, so I apprehensively went ahead and cooked it. When it came out, it did have a off odor, so it was buried deep. No, really, I didnt cook Barney, as some suggested. Good thing we were going to daughters for dinner. Everyone stay safe for the New Yesr.

Surfer, I've lived in Tornado Alley most of my life. The bomb shelter is the first place everyone should go in a tornado. I remember growing up, I went to a very old school that was built in the early 1900's. The basement had been turned into a fall-out shelter in the '50's, and if there was ever threat of tornadoes, the entire school would end up in the basement. Underground is best, and like TS says, away from all glass. The main bathroom in my house wouldn't be a good choice, (even when there was a tub) because there's a window nearby. We do, however, have a very small bathroom in the middle of the house with no windows, and if I didn't have time to make it to the basement, that's where I would go. If you're at home, pick a closet on an interior wall, closest to the middle of your home. You want to be surrounded by walls and no windows, on a ground floor if there's no basement. My mom would always stuff that particular closet with her extra pillows and bedding for some extra cushion around her. She was horribly afraid of tornadoes, yet lived in a house without a basement. It certainly kept that closet clutter to a bare minimum! Can you prepare for a tornado? Not really, regarding supplies. The best thing you can do is prepare a place to go, or know where the basements are around you. If you need to head there, grab a cell phone and hunker down. I think you were extremely lucky to have survived being picked up in your car. F5 tornadoes like the one in Greensburg, KS are rare, but being prepared and going underground is the only thing that kept that town alive.

I have been quietly lurking and reading the threads, but had to jump in and post on this one. I am originally from NC and loved it there, but we found it too expensive to buy retirement land there. We found a gorgeous piece of property on a high bank of the Illinois River in Havana, IL. There is a large nature preserve across the river that will never be developed and ruin our view. Bald eagles fish in the river in front of our land. The little town of Havana is so quaint, there are even cobblestone streets in the downtown area! It is my dream land and I can't wait to build a house up there. The only drawback to the area is that duck hunting season is a big deal and for that part of the year, there are a lot of hunters and duck blinds. I really don't have anything against hunters, I just don't want to see any beautiful ducks get shot. I love reading about everyone else's "perfect place". I had a sister who retired to Florida a few years ago. That was the year of the 3 big hurricanes to hit the coast. She moved away the next year. Ha ha.

went to post office this afternoon and received my package from CinnieO. Thank you I received strawberry licorice, chocolate Milano cookies, mint chapstick, small calendar, cranberry mix, and a flower rocket all stuffed in a cute homemade basket. She also made me the cutest photo album, a notebook, and a live plant - couldn’t find a name for it. Thank you so much I am already enjoying parts of it as I type this. Hope everyone has a beautiful weekend. Tammy