jspeachyn5, I used to envy her zone 10 until I realized there are a lot of things she can't grow that I can, things that require cold. Many spring bulbs (we get bigger tulips), cherries, apples, etc. She can't grow greens except in winter because it's too warm, forget about kale or carrots. But yeah, this time of year when she calls me up to tell me about harvesting fresh strawberries in 70 degree weather? Zone envy big time! I haven't exactly converted my husband but he is an enabler. Yesterday he came home with a clear milk jug and a 2-liter he'd nicked out of a neighbor's recycling bin. I have, however, completely corrupted my kids (ages 5 and 2 1/2). They have their own boxes of seeds which Mommy has made a solemn vow not to raid. :) My daughter now checks every container to see if it's good for winter sowing!

Thank y'all. It seems impossible that she is grown and has a family. Boy do things change. She asked for a jogging stroller for her birthday. A couple years ago she would have thought was a lame request. LOL

Your granddaughter reminds me of my sister, who is 1-1/2 years older than I am. We were both very competitive in school, and she played the piano, and I played the violin, but your DGD does both! I very much appreciate anyone who is concerned with proper spelling - so many people do not appreciate that - until they try to do a Google search and wonder why they cannot find what they are looking for. Self-motivation is something that I think cannot be taught, and so she is very fortunate to have been born with it. I used to enter almost all contests in school - with the exclusion of sports, although I was on the track team in Jr. High. I did not feel as comfortable competing in athletics as I did in more scholastic contests. It's nice that she has these opportunities available to her, and it's great that she could start her own henna tattoo business! Math was one of my favorite subjects in school also. Does she like to sew? If so, you might want to consider giving her a sewing machine, if her parents do not own one. I was forbidden to use a sewing machine as a child/teenager, and I would have loved having my own. Lars

Update: Hoping the upcoming tropical storms don't wreck havoc. Looks like there was another pod perpendicular to this one that didn't quite develop. Looks flat and empty. This plant is only 1 year, 10 months old ... I think little precocious for seeding. This is like a teen pregnancy, LOL!! The leaves have some yellowing but I am leaving them alone. The pod is stable, well attached, and developing fast. Lets hope the upcoming rains don't do a number on it. Maria Elena