Here's another tip about ceiling fans.... I had to replace all the ceiling fans when moved into this house. Luckily, I had some real good "end of summer" deals on new fans from Lowe's. I bought 5 beautiful fans (52" with lights) of the same models for only $48 each. Here's the bonus, these fans have remote controls! You can control the low-med-high speed and also can dim the lights. No longer did I need to have long chains hanging all over from the ceilings. Besides, my niece kept getting her head knocks over these pulling chains when I lived in an apartment. Not that she didn't know, she helped me put them up, but she doesn't even see them! Since I wanted a different ceiling fan for the living room, the one that I selected didn't have a remote control. It was the one that I needed the most because the ceiling in this room was much higher. The sale-lady reassured me that would not be a problem. They sell remote control units to go on fans that do not have one. How cool was that! Everyone that visits my house loves them:-) Actually, it's the one thing in my house that gets to be tested the most!

I have a few photo's for you Paul. I will try to send them tomorrow

My aloeness came by default, almost. People toss alot a. vera and I could grow it...When I go to plant sales, they are usually cheap and not many people are looking for the common stuff - they like the exotic families of plants. Also, I can get away with putting my ordinary varieties of aloe in Miracle Grow and just watch them explode with growth. As a suggestion, I believe the Institue of Aloe Studies has a fine selection for those wishing to find unordinary selection. I've only been aloeing for about 3 years.

THANK YOU Kay for appreciating the pics of Zeus. You could say I'm a proud mama.....I think he's special....but it's nice to know that someone else thinks he's special too! Jean, I felt so bad when Ms. Blackie passed last year. I loved seeing her in your photos and I could tell you & her shared a special bond. I know you must be so lonely for her. It's a pain that never really goes away and I understand. I still mourn for a cat I lost 5 years ago. He dropped dead in my arms without warning. He was a young cat and it was totally unexpected. Maryl, Yes....we have wild critters in the woods all around us (live on a mountain). There are woods in back and across the street and we hear coyotes running in packs at night....sounding very close. I always have Nemo come in at night but like you said, animals are getting more bold and being spotted in people's yards. Mantis, I have only had Winged Migration for 2 years so I don't have too much to report. It doesn't appear to be especially vigorous since it's only increased by 1 fan....bud count isn't great just yet. Shelby's Song, on the other hand, is already a huge clump and well-budded.....only in my garden 3 years. Celeste