Drat, I knew I couldn't resist putting up pictures of mine for long. :) There is a picture of the "fence" I built around mine. Every so often something bothered eating through the plastic wire so I starting using very similar looking weak green metal wire. theforestprimeval, all (a dozen?) the size able ones I've seen have been a pyramidal shape. These are all in St. Louis, KC, and MAYBE one in Memphis though. I could see them being somewhat more prone to top damage in colder zones with all the early & late growing metasequoia does. Mine's lost a few inches off the top once or twice, always recovered the leader on its one. I've graduated to using metal wire since: Oh, and Ken, I once accidentally killed a bunny with my paintball gun trying to scare it away from some flowers. Oops. At least no kids were around. If only I could train them to eat the right things.

Wow, that was quick. Thank you gmason, I wasn't sure I would even get an answer....lol. Very nice to know the names of your plants. I have really enjoyed the few iris I have and I want to grow more and order more this year, but having to figure out where to put them, that is the problem! :-) Thanks very much.. pm2

There were 23 FEMA lots in New Hartford after the flood of 2008 ... people in these homes could either not afford to rebuild or have enough insurance to rebuild or just gave up on another flooded home...it means they took a 'buy-out' from FEMA ...so those lots can never be built on again...this was a 500-yr flood & affected many homes that never ever have flooded...but many of those that took the buy-out had flooded before ...but not on the main levels like this 2008 flood! So, when FEMA buys you out ...say like $25,000 or something I think may have been an avg (I don't know for sure)...then it becomes property of the city but cannot be built on to live in or have a business. The lots we are restoring have been this Vets Memorial, 4 Season Perennial Garden, Town Square Gazebo lot & a Community Gardens lot. We have written grants, raised money ...many of it donations & that's how we are doing it...we are wearing down as it is many retired people working long & hard...but we promised our community that we would have the 3 lots done by 1st week of June for the local yearly 'Beaver Creek Days.' It's all very worthwhile to all of us & brings a sense of pride back into the community. Thanks for asking, luvs & I appreciate all the comments from you 'Holiday-ers!' Jeanne S.

Truth be told, Nancy, we would not have won the war without the help of the French. Had their navy not set up the blockade at Yorktown, the British fleet would surely have sailed down and evacuated their army. They were our first ally and I agree that it was shameful the way some spoke and acted after 9/11. I am horrified that young tourists behaved the way they did, asking you for curse words. How stupid they were! Imagine visiting a home and treating one's hosts that way. Embarrassing does not begin to address that. If any of you ever come to DC, I would be happy to take you to Mount Vernon. The key is still there in a place of honor and Lafayette's bedroom is part of the tour. It is a lovely drive from Alexandria along the Potomac-better yet, there is a cruise ship that goes between the two. That is an absolutely sincere offer-any time! Oh and the road I grew up on in Pennsyvania dead-ended on Lafayette Road. My daughter-in-law (well, should be) went to Lafayette University in PA, too. Cynthia ps. 19 days, not that I am counting...oh and for me 18 since I am taking one day in that time off! :-)