Say wot?? The big difference in operating an engine at WOT or less than WOT is determined by whether the engine really is running at WOT.....or if it is simply "running at governed RPM". If an engine is designed and built with a governor to keep the engine RPM below an arbitrary MAXIMUM RPM, it is perfectly OK to operate the engine at that RPM....continuously. In fact, a lot of engines that feature a governor, are operated at governed RPM throughout most of their life. You only have to consider all the big trucks on the highways to see the largest population of governed engines. On the other hand, trying to run an "ungoverned" engine at WOT will result in total destruction of the engine in a matter of seconds. The old arguments (countless) about low RPM being "easier" on the engine and "producing less wear"......are groudless. When an engine is run at low RPM, the lubrication of the engine is less effective, whether pump or splash (but we're splitting hairs here). As to cooling, the higher RPM circulates the cooling medium with greater force and velocity (and volume) at higher RPM, so cooling is more effective at higher RPM. Water pumps, and cooling fans, are both "centrifugal pumps" or movers. At very low RPM, either of these components could theroretically rotate WITHOUT moving any of the medium they are "immersed in" (whether air of liquid). The reason is because the medium exerts a certain resistance to the impeller to set the mass of the medium into motion. If you move the impeller (or "fan blade") slowly enough, the medium simply moves off the outer edge of the impeller and flows around the end of the impeller to the backside of the impeller without influencing any more of the medium mass than is situated inside the water pump, or fan housing. In order for a centrifugal pump or mover to actually affect "flow" into and out the housing, the impeller must be spun at a fairly high RPM. So, if you think you are "saving the engine" by shifting to a higher gear so the engine can turn slower, you could be doing more harm than good. Shifting to a higher gear actually increases the pressure applied to the crankshaft rod and main journals as well as the piston wrist pin. By shifting to a higher gear, you are denying the engine the benefit of "power multiplication" offered by the lower gears in the transmission. Because the throttle must be opened wider for the engine to operated in a taller gear, the combustion pressures in the cylinder increase dramtically in contrast to using a lower gear with less throttle. Sounds contradictory? Almost. The best RPM to operate an engine is the RPM that allows the engine to accomplish its job without bogging down or lugging down, If an engine is being operated at the proper RPM for the load, that engine will be able to accept an increase in load, without having to downshift to a lower gear. If the engine RPM can not be maintained without down shifting, you are putting too much pressure on the crankshaft AND, probably don't have the best lubrication as well. This is a very general description of why it is best to err on the side of caution, and in this case, "caution" lies in the higher RPM range (and lower gears).

Wretched little things with their dead corn silk ends!! My garden seems to get a great many of them, and they are ever so frustrating. Just about the time you get all jazzed and hopeful about new growth, you realize that nothing is ever going to come of it. I've seen the theory put forth that roses make them more frequently at times when there have been great fluctuations in temperature. Anyone care to weigh in on that theory? I also find that some of my roses make them on brand new side shoots virtually right at the main cane, so it's not really possible to cut them back to sprout again. There's nothing for it but to remove it in its entirety and hope to be graced with a new branch elsewhere. The white rose Full Sail had a particular talent for this, which is one reason why it Sleeps with the Shovels. Anyone else find that particular roses are especially prone to kicking out blind shoots? Kay

Oh, I can't not read, so I've read a couple since then, but neither book was all that good. I started another one yesterday. I'm catching up on some young adult books that I might have read over the winter if I hadn't been reading AMoL. And I haven't gotten back to any of those sites - guess I got to the point that I didn't want to think about it for awhile. Maybe I will and see what other people have to say.

YUP, also like their lookalikes 'Dream Weaver', 'Dream Queen', 'Thunderbolt'.