Despite the original posters overly extensive post, with certain questionable content, the central point is still quite vaild. We as a nation spend more money on grass than on any other crop. That by itself should be reason enough. Read up on the history of lawns and you'll find that they were orginally created as a means of demonstrating wealth (aka, I have this big area and I can afford to do nothing with it except grow grass I can't eat) Regarding the comments of junegem13 and zachslc, you might want to read up on the legal history of this movement. As it turns out, most weed laws (ones based on hight, not on noxious weeds) are unconstitutional. Nonetheless, if you are in a city or subdivision and decide to do a wildflower meadow where there is not an reasonable ordinance, then you should notify your neighbors and the city about why you are doing and the legal preceedants. The EPA has all this information. Regarding property values, that was the original complaint neighbors made against one landowner when she converted her lawn into meadow. When they were unable to demonstrate an actual decrease in property values, the city ordinance was ruled unconstitutional. Afterwards, the neighbors decided if they couldn't beat her that they'd join her and replace their own yards with meadows. Property values in that one neighborhood are now some of the highest in the city (Specific names and places, are available if you want them). Time and time again, lawn alternatives done correctly have shown to raise values, not lower them. In Charlottesville, VA local government is working on an ammendment to exclude native meadows from our weed ordinance. Other cities are doing the same very quicky, especially since the weed ordinance as written by many localites constitutes a legal liability to local governments.

Howdy All...Now that summer 'finally' came, we've been very very busy, digging and redigging the garden/s: Next is tilling. Also been hauling plants outside. Hi Irina..how have you been? Sorry I'm responding late. Irina, I'd have no idea how to find a county extension employee. The county we're in covers a large portion of Il. Numerous cities, including Chicago. Still, you had to be heart-broken tossing plants. I used the word compost because it sounds better than dumpster..lol..didn't want to hurt your feelings. :) Hey Fred..And how are you? It's been a long time. About shelves. Maybe I have a pic or will take one. There are three shelves in the window. The first/top shelf holds Caudex plants/succulents. The middle/second and last/third holds African Violets..Or I should say, held. Since the Mealy episode, I ended up tossing a good number. I miscounted the last time I responded. I said there were 13 violets left. There are actually 15 but one will probably go in the compost, or as Irina said, dumpster. :) I discovered most variegated plants, regardless of type, need not only sun but a cool period to keep variegation. The window must be cool enough because my variegated violets remained variegated. One violet 'was' a, oh can't recall the name, maybe Fisherman's Paradise?? It was beautiful. Its leaves were green, white and deep pink. It was at least 4-years old, and one that had to be tossed. Irina, I really am sorry about your violets. It's difficult to detach what we love. I KNOW how much you care for your violets.. Toni

@ Harold: You do deserve it. Your conviction and dedication to your health was tangible and contagious and your willingness to help the rest of us and have a consistently good attitude was inspiring :) @Marita: I'm in S. California. I try to eat meat in the morning. Leftover steak or chicken and my carbs for the day. Lately I've been eating a veggie burger for breakfast. It's easy, quick and delicious. Oatmeal and cereal don't stick with me long enough. I like my egg breakfast too: Four egg whites: 64 calories 1 C Spinach: 7 cal 1/2 C chicken (or steak/pork/whatever leftover meat I have from dinner the night before!!): 116 cal 1/4 C tomato: 8 cal 1/8 C feta cheese: 50 cal 1/8 C onion: 8 cal Total: 253 calories I saute the onion in some spray olive oil (0 cal!!), then put in the spinach and chicken until warm and just barely wilted, add the tomato and egg whites, and fold until cooked. Then put the feta on top (I use Spike seasoning) and let sit for a few minutes until the feta kind of melts. That leaves plenty for a slice of toast, some fruit slices, etc. And it's a LOT of food for so few calories. But meat chunks, cheese chunks, bread chunks in the morning are good too. It gives me good energy and fills me up, and I can kind of much for a few hours on that. I don't eat at home, I can't eat in the early morning, so I pack my breakfast and eat at work. This morning it's two scoops of chocolate protein powder 260 cal with one frozen banana 80 cal and 1/4 cup plain yogurt 38 cal. Total 378. Kind of a lot, but it's in two containers so I can ration it out for a meal/snack. I love fish too. Costco has great frozen fish (mahi, salmon) and I can just defrost one piece at a time. They also have good salmon patties- quick protein, low calories. Wodka, I can't imagine losing my home, community, way of life let alone dad and sister. I'm so sorry for your loss. I have empathy... I gained 10 lbs from July 09-March 10 after losing 28lbs from Feb 09 - June 09 with HWW :). I blamed it on the heat, losing my grandpa, family issues, etc... So, I've taken pro-active measures. I joined a gym (combating the heat issue) and am focusing more on strength than weight loss this time. Strong body, strong mind. I'm glad you joined us!! Use that $40 for a gym membership (and still have $$ left over!) or join some club that makes you feel good about yourself. It's easy for me to care about me and take care of me if I'm feeling good emotionally :) Have a great day everyone!!!

I just spoke to the Mail Recovery Center in Atlanta. They were very kind. The box top that I received was mailed from MD not Atlanta. The contents of the box and anything else that MD has acquired from broken and lost mail was sent at the same time under separate cover to Atlanta. I asked why the floor supervisor didn't respond 2 months ago to requests for information on this box and she had no answer. I explained that we felt that it would have been a lot easier to match the broken box with the contents immediately rather than wait 2 months . She said yes that would be true. Everyone agrees that the chance of another box of children's books breaking open in MD on that day is slim to none. If the person up there had done his job all of this could have been avoided. Of course if I had used UPS .... I am on my way to the post office now with the above list. She said they will immediately begin a search when it is received. Thank you ALL for your notes. I am trying to remain positive. c