Gary, Again just my understanding from what I've read, but it seems to me that a healthy lake that isn't being overly manipulated _ drained until it's dry then allowed to fill until it has to be drained again _ would help most of the people who make their livings on or near the lake. The people who run bass fishing tours have been devastated in the past few years. And the boating and fishing in the St. Lucie River has been a mess too. A lot of the draining that was done in 2006 was done to protect people from having their homes and farms flooded, but it didn't do that because we can't simply predict how many storms we'll have. Wouldn't it be better to restore the lake and the surrounding area to a more balanced system that can take care of itself, and not flood people's homes or dump fresh water that we need into the ocean? I've covered a lot of floods, including deadly ones like Katrina in New Orleans and the 2004 floods in Haiti, which killed more than Katrina did. Believe me, I've seen what can happen to people. But both of those were aggravated, if not outright caused, by mistakes people made over the years trying to manipulate giant systems nature had devised over thousands of years. So send the check if you like, but understand, I think most folks here are on your side, if not Rush's side. Susannah

Isn't banana catsup a Phillipino food? Seems like I remember DH talking about it once. The house I grew up in had a pantry that was about 6x10...certainly bigger than the bathroom! And it was stocked floor to ceiling. I used to kid my mother about having converted to LDS (I'd heard somewhere they are supposed to have two years supply of food on hand -- don't know if that is really true or not) or having starved in a former life. It was not unusual to find things on the top shelves that were 5+ years out of date. We'd sneak them to the trachcan one at a time. As for what's in the pantry here...I'm scared to look! The house was empty for nearly a year before I moved here, and I doubt there was much grocery buying going on the two years before that. I cleaned out one section of shelves when I moved in, but there's aother ssection that could have just about anything from any decade. Tackling that section is on my spring cleaning list. Emily - after my experience some years back with the old chili peppers and moths, I'd just walk that whole container to the trash bin, unopened. You haven't missed that Tupperware bowl this long, you won't miss it going forward. LOL!

Awww, he's saying, "please HELP me, I feel like a sardine on displya". LOL Cute little guy. Thanks for making him a happy home Ron.

Thanks, Don! I'm excited to see how your fragrant bed looks now. It looked beautiful as it was but the Stained Glass hosta deserves to be seen, you're right to showcase it. I am so impressed with my little bare-root one so far! Maybe we'll see some pics sometime of all the re-locations? ;-) I am so crowded here. The upside of that is no weeds, of course but I don't get to see their form as much when they are all squished sardine-like", lol. Challenges are good - no room for boredom! Count me in into that fan-club! Francee and Halcyon are jewels! I owned a Halcyon back in the 80's ... June's blues are now "Halcyon's" in my garden. NHL, I wanted you to see the better picture of BS because there was some yellow still evident in the centre and makes that hosta stand out. I really love the "peaches and cream" (like the corn) complexion as it starts to develop. From emergence to dormancy, Brother Stefan packs a wallop when it comes to transition! I am thrilled with it so much - I don't know how it can top this year's performance! Sandyslopes, thank you! I'm glad you found some interest in my photos! So Sweet always makes me stop and stare. I have Bkay to thank for that one! (Just looked at it again, lol). Something clicked when I read your comment re BS. I know exactly where he'll be planted now!! Thanks!!!