i'm not aware that mexican tarragon sets seeds... it might be sterile. i have several very large bushes--tons of beautiful flowers (it's a tagetes), but never once have i seen a seed. 'they say' that mexican tarragon is inferior to french in flavor, but i don't find it so. my all-time favorite salad is fresh, slightly-green tomatoes with some olive oil and tarragon sprinkled on top. it's really the only way i eat tomatoes... i spilled a package of parsley in my garden in the fall (butterfingers) and not i have parsley EVERYWHERE. i have no idea how the seeds got as widely distributed as they did. i grow tons of herbs from seed. the easiest are, i think, parsley (SLOW to germinate) and basil.

As fall segues into winter one cannot help but miss the plaintive and beautiful flute song of the Wood Thrush. They're back home now and it is with some anticipation that I await them each spring. As I've moved into my new & last home (7 years ago), I have naturalized the yard, letting the oak leaves mulch my now extensive gardens. What I've found is that Thrushes will oftentimes use the property for a few days, and that is indeed a treat. While the Wood Thrush is a quite common woodland resident in our local woods, it's nice to see them on the property. What has been icing on the cake is that as the woodlands have progressed on my property I have also had the pleasure of hosting Swainson's Thursh and Grey Cheeked over the last few springs (the GC was here but for a couple of hours). On the downside, I had 3 Hermit Thrush window kills this fall. While that's disheartening, it's a pretty good indicator that the neighborhood is still getting plenty of birds (I'm but a mile from the beach). It's funny when I walk our neighborhood in May, and folks tell me they saw a cardinal or a bluejay. I smile. If they only knew of the beauty and magnificence of spring migration, maybe they wouldn't cut down the trees that many new homeowners seem hellbent on doing when they move into my neighborhood. It's like a compelling itch that they have to scratch. Well, off of my soapbox for now. I hate to have to tell all of you this, but their (Wood Thrush) numbers are falling and have been for the last 20 years (blame deerbrowse and the lack of an understory). Give thanks this week to our natural world. And help educate those who don't know..... All the best Ted

All, I was just pointing out a modicum of truth to the cartoon--which made it funny to myself and a friend. The same friend directed me to this forum about a year ago by saying, "you have to check out this website. These people are fanatical about ranges." He went on, "especially the âÂÂbattleâ between the Blue Star and the Capital Culinarian." So I've been reading for quite some time. My interest is from the standpoint of the release of a new cooking product and how the initial rollout is received by the business, or on the residential side in this case, the people. As I've stated, I don't own one so only could make comments derived from the following posts (which I did not write) which are titled: "culinarian oven racks are disappointing" and âÂÂwok use on the culinarian wok grate observationâ Does anyone know if the rolling racks are the same in a self-clean oven and a manual clean oven? Is the issue with the racks caused by a self-clean cycle? Best, Lew

Thanks Yachter, I will make sure I look for that shop. Since I have never been there before, everything will be new to me. One of my other friends told me there is a big antiques/gift/craft store by the highway so I want to look for that too. We got reservations in a park within walking distance of the main drag. That should help us avoid some of the traffic--if we can take the heat! LOL I love it when they put your purchase in a bag with the tissue paper. Tried to get the owners at the antique/collectibles shop where I worked for awhile to do that, but they said plastic bags are cheaper! Amazed me that she was so into doing great display vignettes and couldn't see why nice bags would add a little touch of class and make the customers feel special. Do you already have new homes for all six puppies? That would be so great. I take it this is not the first litter your dog has had. I know they are a very popular breed. So are you going to miss the yard sales this weekend? Oh no, I always look forward to seeing your great finds. I just walked down to one my neighbor was having--not much left, but I did get some baby clothes for my great neice's baby--almost like new from my neighbors twin GD's. Luvs