It could be one of the oakworms, Sue, probably the spiny oakworm/anisota stigma. This cat is highly variable in coloring, but it has the long, red-spotted purple style "horns" that few moths have. If it were me, I'd offer it some oak leaves - still, it may not eat them, because when you see caterpillars wandering around they're usually going to pupate/cocoon. MissSherry

The forecast has changed since yesterday,this coming week not looking as bad(still cold though),some warmer temps for next weekend. Here are some pics of the dig out and my attempt at fixing the "G-house". I had to shovel out 5 places just to get to it. Glad I walked home during the height of the Blizzard to check on things... I couldn't do much about the snow at the time but I did turn the heater off-the frame nearly crushed it! One of the Yucca spears poking through. Crushed Colorguard Yucca,screaming-HELP ME! Now the inside-luckily the trunk cut Trachy(from last spring)was not trunk cut by the collapse! I think the frame of the space heater may have just saved these 2 Trachys(they are both s-pulled from Neem oil)the heater frame was almost crushed. Looking the other direction- So glad my biggest Yucca was not snapped-the A.havardiana had very minor damage and the A.parryi was untouched! Using the porch railing as for scale look at how tall the "G-house normally should be- Where it was when it collapsed(keep in mind some of it's height is the 1 1/2' of snow! Here's where it is now,as long as I keep any big snows off it-it should be fine,this would not have happened if I was home to keep the snow from piling on! Thanks for looking-SPRING is right around the corner!

The one thing to check, I think, is if the GC was trying to warn you off. Does he really want to work over the holidays? Do his subs? Are they taking their kids on vacation just when you thought they'd be working? The GC might want the job too much to tell you no-can-do, and figure he can probably make it work out, rather than being eager for your start date. If you're sure he and the subs are on board, go for it! And maybe add an incentive bonus for them to be done, cleaned up and signed off by January 25 (sooner if that's the quote), which gives you a week to get your act together before your party. Plus a penalty if it's not done by February 1. It can be done if everyone's on board. I only worry that less than 2 months over the holidays is awfully tight, if you really want them done in time for the party.

I always give them a good soak with vitamins and stuff when they arrive, especially due to the extreme heat we have here, and the packages sometimes being "forgotten" in a warehouse, not all the time but sometimes this happens too. Lacunosa was looking kinda well but in 1-2 days started to shed the leaves one by one. It died rather fast.... diversifolia rooted, australis too, on hydroton, then moved to potting mix started to go south. Curtisii is still trying to root! Not dying, not rooting either, weird. And I love it, she's so cute!