Catherine! I had so much fun learing about lotus through posts and experiments last year so this year I decided to try something. I placed 4 tubs at the bottom of a channel in middle of the pond and filled each one with dirt on one side only. I then guided a runner from the original into the next pot and so on. So now it has spread all the way down the middle of the pond and then escaped down into the middle of the deep part. It fought it's way through the hyacinth bog and then went after the water lilly. I work in a sushi place now and they have lotus on the menu!!!!! I was hoping to get enough leaves to be able to serve some dishes on them, but I couldn't get them to preserve well enough. I bet there are tricks to that if someone can help me! That's about it for now. I will post one picture of the bustubs and then hopefully I can find a good one of the whole pond! There are a lot of other things I always think about but forget when I am sitting down on the computer. Hope everyone is doing well and Cath did your lotus bloom at all? [IMG]http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj306/oldsalt_2008/johns3032.jpg[/IMG] - John

Wonderful to hear from you!!! Raising a family takes priority over talking to us any day. Do you know what the new baby will be? It is the norm to know before hand these days. " In my time you just took what came out"! LOL A lot of posters have come and gone in the few years I have been on the forum, so it is nice to know you still check in once in a while. Make sure you let us know about the new baby. Connie

BJ, quitting coffee cold turkey is soooo difficult...I know I couldn't do it, then again I don't drink that much each day either..but you do live in the coffee capital so that makes it tougher yet...oh boy. Amy - I have that book by Dr. Oz and while he does use the "D" word what is said in it makes so much sense...basically nothing we don't already know but sometimes it helps to see it in on a page in black and white. I'm glad you enjoyed your birthday. Suzanne - no snow here just cooooold!!! Weird thing is it's supposed to get up near 50 by Sunday, very warm for this time of year. Flu is the pits - sounds like you are doing everything you can for it...((feel better soon)). Jen - glad to see you posting again! Bet the girls enjoyed Christmas. Milkdud, you will be so organized and I will be so jealous. Brrrrr...keep warm. Whenicit - glad to see you posting. Congrats on your upcoming anniversary! Dee - have a wonderful cruise!! I am up late, for me. My bigger dog Moose got a skunk out in the yard earlier tonight. I pulled him off, called the vet and then animal control. Moose is up to date on his rabies shots and has no marks or spray from the skunk..vet said to keep an eye on him. The skunk was really hurt and left my yard and moved to the woods, then back to my yard and then over to my neighbor (not home). Animal control came and looked all around but we couldn't find it...he thought maybe it had been hit by a car before Moose got him. The animal control guy said it may turn up dead in a day or two and if I find it to call and he will pick it up - hopefully if it dies it will do it in the woods. YUCK all the way around tonight. We are fortunate Moose wasn't hurt and no one got sprayed. That was enough excitement for me so I will head to bed. Enjoy your day tomorrow... Donna

Hi there! I sent those drawer dividers over a month ago and haven't heard anything from you. Haven't seen you here, either. You in good shape over there? Did you receive them and are they what you wanted? Check in and say hello! Christine