Hi Eskota, Pruning sealer is something that Gator and I disagree on. As has been mentioned, Linda Chalker-Scott is not the end-all authority for horticulture, but at least her conclusions are scientifically based. Below is a link of what she has to say regarding pruning sealer. I do think Bug Juice could have a small slight residual benefit if you are concerned about borers colonizing a pruning wound. Not that there is anything particularly special about Bug Juice (i.e. Deltamethrin) vs. other pyrethroids, but any broad spectrum insecticide will tend to slow borers down. I think there could be some advantage to treating large wounds with a strong copper solution. The reason is that large wounds can take many years to heal over. If the wound is large enough the wood in the center of wound can rot before the wound calluses over completely. If that happens, it will leave a hole that could trap water in the hole and slow callusing even more. Copper is decidedly different than asphalt or caulk type products that are routinely sold for wound dressings. Copper will not seal in moisture. I will also point out that my comments regarding copper are not based upon scientific testing. They are based only on deduction and some experience. Deductively, copper has fairly good broad spectrum fungicide activity. Copper is also one of the preservatives of treated lumber. And again copper will not seal in moisture as other wound dressings can. I first learned of this idea from an arborist who posted on a different forum. He claimed to have used this treatment with good success. My experience is also anecdotal. I've tried it on one very large wound. I treated the wound a couple times in the last three years and haven't seen any rotting of the core wood yet. The wound continues to close up. It was probably the largest wound I've made (about 6"). I've made several smaller wounds 4" or less and haven't put any copper on them and they've healed up themselves. I do try to spray big wounds when I spray the fruit for insects and disease. Generally I have an insecticide and fungicide in the tank mix, so the wounds get attention of a sort. I try not to let unwanted limbs get so far ahead of me that I have to use a chain saw. I'm getting better and for the last few years I've only made large wounds where I let central leader trees (like pears) get too tall and am bringing them down slowly. Here is a link that might be useful: Linda Scott - Wound dressings

Also, you might consider Chamblee's Roses. They are shipped in gallon pots and are more mature than roses of many own-root vendors. Chamblee's selection is not as extensive as some, but they do have nice roses. Another vendor with larger own-root plants is High Country Roses, though their selection is aimed at colder climates. Still, you might find some you like there; I have. Amity Heritage Roses used to sell the largest own-root bands around, just gorgeous plants, but I don't think they are currently active. It didn't look like it to me when I last visited their website. Probably there are others, but I'm only mentioning ones I have purchased from myself. My personal favorite vendor is Vintage, and I buy the majority of my roses there, but you do have to mature them in a gallon pot yourself. Rosefolly

Ilook at nursing homes just as my parents did - last stop before I die. Nothing positive about it. I have been in different nursing homes and couldn't wait to leave. Nothing cheery about them. Very depressing to me and God help those that have to live there. Most nursing homes are shorthanded and do not pay a good wage to attract quality personnel. You might want to check with her doctor about the prose for physical therapy now. If it would be beneficial, he can write an order or prescription for it. There are agencies that transport the elderly to appointments like this. The dept of Human Resources may be able to give you some insight. Medicare only pays for nursing home care for a short period of time. Then you pay if you have the funds or if not much money or assets, you could qualify for medicaid. THEY take all assets. If you sell the house, they get that too. Would it be feasable to sell the house and car as she won't be driving, put that with her savings and look into a retirement home where they do have assistance. Some have a RN on duty at all times, provide transportation and offer other ammenities. I understand it's like an apartment where they don't have to get rid of their personal belongings unless maybe just too much furniture. In Assisted living, the person has to be able to care for themselves. It is normally one room for the living rm, bedroom, and eating area. The kitchen is very small with a small fridge and a microwave. This means most of the personal belongings have to go. I don't understand why arrangements have to be made for her friend too. Does he have a family? Does he have money set aside like your mother? Has he helped with expenses or has been being taken care of? You don't need to answer those questions to me. It is none of my business but if it were my mother's situation, I'd do what is best for her but give him time to make arrangements. If the law in your state recognizes common law marriage and by what standards, you will have more to deal with. The doctor placed my mother in a nursing home with my brother's approval. Momma is very unhappy. I'm looking into Elder Care at home as that's where she wants to be. I guess I look at it that mother's make sacrifices of all kinds in raising us. They have THEIR home, THEIR friends and THEIR way of life. It's just so sad to take all that away. I wish you the very best as I understand completely how heartwrenching the decisions are and sometimes the tears seem endless because it is Momma and we love them so. Lynn

Behavioral issues in children are very problematic. They are not always strictly related to parental or environmental influences. Those can usually help or hinder though. People you can talk to for confidential advice would be your doctor, or pediatrician; and clergy or religious counselor types. They may have experience or be able to help sort out whether the problem should be reportable. (If the youngest is being physically abused by the oldest, that can be a problem worth reporting... but a physician would likely be in a better position to assess physical risks.) This page has a lot of divorce-related links mostly about child issues. http://www.kidsturncentral.com/topics/issues/divorce.htm If she is acting as if she is angry and/or out of control, she probably is. How badly would a mother have to feel or in how bad a shape would she have to be, in order to act the way you see this woman acting? If she seems to need help, this is an area where counselors, and therapists are trained. The point is if she feels like she is suffering, or is otherwise pushed to or beyond her limits; counselors are good at helping people learn better stress management techniques and how to feel more like they can cope. Healthy people take responsibility for their mental and physical health and get help when they are faced with situations which call forth an apparent need for help. leaving a baby with a child who is known to have violent behavior sounds like a problem which could have results similar to more direct abuse (it's 'passive' on her part, but if the end result is that the baby is being hurt or wounded, it isn't that significantly different)