For stone wall fans, two interesting talks at Blithewold: Walking Tour of BlithewoldÂs Stones and Stone Walls Saturday, May 6, 11:30 - 12:30 Dr. Robert Thorson, geology professor at the Unversity of CT and author of Stone by Stone, leads us on an outdoor walk through Blithewold, interpreting the stones and stone walls of the property: their age, how they were worked, how to "read" the landscape by studying a wall, and more. WeÂll also look at the stones on the mansion to discover their story. $10 Members, $12 Non-members DESIGN AND GARDENING CLASSES Stone Walls of New England Saturday, May 6, 10:00 - 11:00 am Stone walls are a defining element throughout New EnglandÂs landscapes and by preserving them, we are preserving our own cultural heritage. Dr. Robert Thorson, geology professor at Uconn and author of Stone by Stone, helps us to develop a new appreciation of these structures by providing an account of their formation. With just a bit of knowledge, one can tell a story of a landscape by observing the surrounding stone walls. Dr. Thorson also mentions some of the special places in New England to see these centuries-old structures and to test your new knowledge. Book signing will follow. Robert Thorson is professor of geology and geophysics at the University of Connecticut. H e writes a weekly Thursday column for The Hartford Courant, and coordinates the Stone Wall Initiative for the preservation of stone walls, now in the process of being incorporated into Connecticut State Museum of Natural History. He is author of Stone By Stone, a winner of the Connecticut Book Award for non-fiction. His book and work precipitated a curriculum development project (grades K-8) funded by the National Science Foundation. He is also author of Stone Wall Secrets, selected by the Smithsonian Foundation as one of its Notable Books of 1998, and Exploring Stone Walls: A Field Guide to New EnglandÂs Stone Walls. $10 Members, $12 Non-members Here is a link that might be useful: Blithewold Programs

That's just evil. It's been weeks since I've enjoyed a homegrown tomato that wasn't a little cherry. By far my favorite use of a tomato includes a nearly equal weight in bacon! My late summer bloom set several dozen maters but I'm not sure if they have time to blush. So far the weather is cooperating and I'll bring in a few for sure. But most of them will probably be too immature before they freeze. Psst. You never answered my last email.

"I had another quote today for a Tran 14i system. That person said there no yearly visit was necesary...maybe eveery few years. He said that tinking can cause more trouble than not. Ex: checking the freon level twice a year is fine but you loose a hose worth of freon each time. Eventually you may for a charge. He said it would not hurt to get a cleaning every few year depending on whether you have kids, dirt, smoke and how much you run the unit...at least that was my understanding of whast he said." _______________________________________________________ This sounds like the many companies that preffer installing systems (more money in it) than keeping them going, as his statements are wrong! Outdoor coils can get seriously dirty in just one years time and this affects the life and efficiency of the system. Drains can clogg up and ruin cieling or carpet. So what if you have to add a little vapor freon every 3 or 4 years of checking the pressures? What's the damage caused by a system improperly charged year after year? Unbelievable! Read the contract warranty with Trane! It states quite clearly that if the system or parts fail due to abuse or lack of maintanence may void the warranty (Read the back of the contract, right side upper corner "customers responsibility") Get these things in writting, not from a "shucks -don't worry about that" word of mouth contract. A proffessional a/c and heating check is not "tinkering", and if that is what he calls it- don't deal with him! I really feel sorry for folks that have to put up with such bs companies and not knowing where to turn. I'll bet he would be one to say "Why clean the house- it's just going to get dirty again"! :)

Most of the time I wake up before my 5:30 AM alarm goes off. Up, turn on the TV, and the computer, get dressed, read email and the paper online while eating breakfast. Then, peek in here at the KT, and on facebook, and get ready to go to work. If I ride my bike I leave the house 15 minutes earlier than if I drive. I work till 1:30 PM officially, but most times don't get out till after 2:00 I return to my bed after the 10:00 PM news and start the whole fun scenario again. :) Moni