michaelg, I have been told to do that and never have, but good reminder. The drip irrigation is a bit harder to determine, as this is the hose with holes every foot or so, so it is not a tube directly feeding each plant, but I will see what the rest of the system does. I am curious how long an average system runs...and I know time should not be the measurement, but wondering if I am way off. Thanks for the input, and I will do that. Jeri, great idea. I am hoping to get the remainders of my "in pot's" in the ground...but 106 today!! It is so hard to leave these unattended. On your timers, how long do you run them? TOO, I have wondered if I debudded roses in hotter areas of the yard, if that would help destress them. I recall one year I pruned a bit, and ended up killing a few, as I guess they took that as a sign to grow. But debudding? Sounds like an option. What do you think?

hilltop - So glad to hear it is a small ship cruise. No worries with regard to "Titanic-like" concerns. These lines have ice-breaker hulls that are specifically built to go to places like Antarctica as well as up to the High Arctic. So many of your concerns mirror mine at the time of our trip to the High Arctic. I traveled with my DH's family (MIL & FIL), DH's sibs & their spouses, etc. It really worked out fine and they are a tough group, lol. We were all really only together each evening cocktail hour, wrap up of the day by the various experts who travel with the ship to teach/talk to passengers about the trip, what you can see, etc., prior to dining (French service) each evening. The breakfast and lunch service took place in the dining room for a more formal meal, or a buffet in another large gathering room (cocktail hour/films/group discussion area) on the ship. Yes, we were together at times on the zodiac trips, but many of the on shore trips were hikes and the like, and those are broken into groups by ability levels and/or what you were feeling like doing of what was offered off of the ship on any particular day. Since I traveled with my DD, I chose things that were comparable with her interest/ability, etc. There were things that others in our group wanted to do in an advanced group, so they did as they wished. These small ship "expedition-type" trips are fashioned to give every level of ability something to do through the entire voyage. There is also plenty of "alone" time built in should you wish to do that. The ship had a library on board, as well as other places on the ship where you could curl up with reading material, or just sit on the deck and watch the beautiful scenery. EVERYONE, including a couple in their 90's had a wonderful time. You will be spending time at sea for sure, and there will be areas where you will definitely encounter rough seas. We did as well. No one in our group had much trouble. I visited our PCP prior to the trip for scripts for the ear patch solution to sea-sickness for all 3 of us. We never applied them. DD had an issue one full day at sea, but she stayed in her bunk in our stateroom. Since we were at sea, she really didn't miss much, and the concierge (sp?) was very accomodating in coordinating with me in order that she would be able to eat anything she wished, at any time. Our ship offered 3 meals per day. When we would come back from a hike or whatnot, there would be hot chocolate and warm cookies awaiting our return. The biggest misconception some people have is that if they're nauseous or feeling at all seasick, they think they shouldn't eat. It is the complete opposite. Eat when you start to feel a bit seasick, and it will help immensely. Our ship also provided Dramamine for anyone who needed it. DD used that a few days when she was not feeling great and it worked well. Between eating and using a small amount of Dramamine, she accompanied me on all on shore excursions. The rough day at sea, DD slept thru, but didn't miss anything as we were just moving from one place to the next. There will be days on your trip when your ship won't stop to allow passengers to go out on the zodiacs because there isn't anyplace to go enroute, or if conditions aren't completely safe, the ship will not allow the zodiacs to be put into the water. However, when you can get out, your excursions will blow you away. Your gear is essential. That would be one discussion I wish I had prior to the trip. Don't get me wrong, the travel company provided us with a load of material on what to bring and so on. However, when you are traveling in August to a place that is below 32 degrees most of the time, you need to pack wisely. Layering is key, and since that trip, I've never been cold again. Of course, I over-packed, and would suggest not doing so as it was unnecessary as our ship had laundry service, and anything that was wet (gear-wise) was hung in a drying room in order to be ready whenever the next opportunity to go off of the ship arose. These off ship excursions are planned on a daily itinerary which you're given each evening after dinner for the following day. However, when the weather is right in these areas, you have to get while the getting is good. The announcement would be made that the zodiacs could go and we would have approx. 15-30 minutes to gear up if we wanted to go. It was really fun and exciting to fly by the seat of my pants so to say as I am usually a very "by the plan" type person. It was a trip of a lifetime and given the opportunity to do it all again, I would not hesitate for even a second. I don't have my email linked to GW. In the event you do, and would like to talk off forum about the small ship cruises to destinations such as the Arctic or Antarctica, please let me know and I will send you an email. Alternatively, you can email me at xworkinprogressx@gmail.com if that would work better for you. I happen to sincerely agree with your DS, don't miss this one!

I grew up just south of the Mt. Washington Valley. I think summertime in that area is just the best! The lakes are simply wonderful for swimming and there are tons of cottages to rent and great campgrounds with lovely beaches and tons of activities. Be aware, though, that traffic in the Valley is simply dreadful! I would opt for one of the communities south (Tamworth, Freedom, Madison, Ossipee, Eaton) and plan my trips through Conway and North Conway accordingly. Sandwich, Holderness, Wolfeboro, Tuftonboro, and Moultonboro are very pretty, too. Again, wonderful lakes. Autumn is spectacular. So is the traffic! You might enjoy the Fryeburg Fair, the Sandwich Fair... . Bring warm clothes and go hiking. Breathtaking. Also: FYI, the correct spelling is Kancamagus. There is no "n" in the name! (It was always a standing joke to refuse to give directions to "the Kanc." if the person asking did know how to pronounce it properly... a little bit of Valley lore). It is a lovely drive and splashing around in the Swift River is great fun on a hot afternoon.

With regard to being on call 24/7 ... ... I wonder, " ... freedom with strings ...", is different from a shorter, simpler expression like, " ... leash ..." in what way, precisely? In earlier times, when many people whose work involved them moving over substantial areas often carried pagers, and these days when many carry cell phones, I sometimes comment(ed) that, "I noticed that you have your leash on today", and when they looked at me quizzically, or asked what I meant, when I'd just point to the pager/cell phone ... ... they knew exactly what I was talking about - and quite a few of them agreed, some with a bit of a wry smile or regretful expression, that that's about what it was/is. ole joyful P.S. Son and friend, whom I've carted around to fairs, festivals, Santa Claus parades, etc. to blow up their ballon hats, animals, swords, etc. for kids' entertainment ... ... gave me a cell for Christmas. That, as I live alone and, though landlord often comes into the yard, isn't aware of whether I'm mobile ... or lying ill (dead?) on the floor ... they are concerned that it might well be a safety link, as well. Set up as son's Mom Sue's was - low maintenance charge, high fees for more than minimal minutes of usage per month. Can you imagine ole joyful being (relatively) speechless? Talk about discomfort ... even torture! That said - I'm more inclined to talk to people face to face than on the phone. o j