riley I think you're right. This site has a similar picture and says this: And finally, watch for the appearance of katydids. Katydids are cone-headed grasshoppers that "zeep zeep zeep" their way through the early night hours. They are attracted to lights and may turn up around porches. They are generally not numerous enough to do noticeable damage to plants, but if you sleep with your window open and there's one nearby, they can be a little distracting. Since they seldom cause damage, treatments are not recommended. My zucchini containers are on the back deck, and the light is often left on in the kitchen and shines on the deck at night. So this very pretty critter is harmless and I guess just likes the environment there.

Re the surfactant in my triclopyr- a bit of research told me that triclopyr is what I need for wild violets. I went to Lowe's and read labels until I found a "consumer product" containing such, so I would presume a surfactant is included. I cannot recall exactly what I bought (the jug is out in the shed and I am snuggly in bed) but it was a poison ivy/brush killer type product. I did notice however when I was applying it that it tended to run off rapidly and it ran through my mind at the time that I needed to add some dish soap. I will do that next time I spray them. And Ken, I don't know what to tell you but I definitely have weeds that sprout in mulch and grow through thick mulch. We spread our fourth truckload of hardwood mulch today and we do it after I painstakingly pull each weed (I'm one with no day job, LOL). I did throw some Preen around a few areas but cannot use it everywhere. And as far as controlling violets in the lawn- not gonna happen. I have dogs and will not be using herbicides where they walk. As these violets also seed I guess they will continue to be an issue for me where Preen is not an option. The only areas I am using my triclopyr is in my front beds where at least my dogs do not have access. Neighborhood critters are on their own. Thanks everyone for your comments. I do love looking at pretty pictures but I also love hearing you discuss the nuts and bolts of getting the gardens so picture worthy. Ten years of work for one snapshot, LOL.

Everyone is looking out for themselves. No one wants to be responsible for damaging what the other has already done. The guy who goes first does not have the responsibility or financial risk of something going wrong. They all want the OTHER guy to assume the risk. It CAN be done and done well either way if necessary. When a house is built new, floor goes in first, then cabinets. My cabinet installer would have been happier not to have the floor finished first. He was up front that the reason was less liability for him. According to my floor finisher there is some protection from moisture (not severe floods) by applying a finish coat under appliances. Things like steam a little dripped water are less likely to cause problems. Also, if you ever replace any cabinets, change anything, you have a consistent flooring underneath. Think of it this way, if you already had a wood floor in the room, would the cabinet installers need to rip it out to put new cabinets in? No? Then they can obviously work with the flooring already in place. It is their responsibility to make sure they don't damage already existing walls and floors and woodwork. But why should they have to bother being careful if they can convince you to leave the just a plywood floor until they are done? It goes the other way, too. If you called someone to refinish your wood floors that were already in place would they expect you to remove the cabinets, first? NO! They too, can work around cabinets without destroying them. It is even easier if the toe kick has not been installed first, and will cover up any small nicks by the sander. I do think damage to the cabinets by the sander, since you really want them to get right up close to cabinets for a nice finish, is more difficult to avoid then damage to floor, which can be covered and protected in numerous different ways, including those described above, as well as drop cloths, corregated cardboard and other items being used. Sue

Vitorama, They may be using food coloring....maybe. Is there is anyone here old enough to remember way back in the days of yore when schools actually had money available for teaching? In elementary school (before color TV) our 3rd grade teacher had us fill a two glass containers (this was before the fear of glass breaking and threats of lawsuits) with water. One with warm water and the other with cold water. We added food coloring to each then added a stalk of celery. The celery in the warm water container was first to absorb color. Movement of molecules etc. Ok I'm done. Lol k