My wife was in Queens last weekend and saw a line which was more than half a mile long (she originally said a mile, but I plugged the end-points into Google maps and got .6 miles). The lines seem to drop off pretty quick as you go into CT. On Monday night around 10pm, I saw 20+ cars waiting in line in Greenwich, CT, with police ensuring order. I drove about 15 minutes away (not searching for gas- I wasn't that low) and decided to get it in Norwalk when I passed a place with no wait. I was even able to pull through to the 2nd pump :) In terms of the storms, last night's snow storm was worse for my trees than Sandy. All sandy did in my yard was damage some fences and remove a lot of the still-green peach leaves. They looked almost plucked after the storm, though I'm guessing it won't hurt them at this stage in the year. The worst part was 5 days with no power and 7 days with no internet at home. Yesterday's snow snapped a bit off the top of a central leader, just over the top tie, when it weighed down the leaves. Another tree had a couple upper branches badly scraped when the snow weighed them down enough to rub against the support post. It was one of the few trees where I used a green 7' U post, which have some sharp edges. Going forward, I'm using all 10.5' tall 1.375" galvanized posts with no edges to rub against. The one downside is that there are no holes in the post I can tie to.

Very glad you are surviving Arif. May ALLAH protect and preserve you. IMHO I have found that in truth, most all of us must conform, and to some degree compromise our beliefs. Such is the nature of life itself. It has been said "No man is an island." This applies to our workplace, laws of our communities and countries. There is nearly always someone more powerful than ourselves. An employer, a government, or community consensus. It is not human nature for everyone to get along. I have observed even my GOD appears to work in ways I can never understand. I just have to play the cards I've been dealt, the best I can. Meanwhile I try to find things to enjoy in life; such as the beauty of flowers.

Dorothy yes those were the Amaryllis that bloomed for me this year and I hope I keep them alive for future blooms. I got great advice on how to do it in this forum. Deb is ok. Finally heard back from her late afternoon yesterday and I was SO relieved! JUST stress and of course and the best reason for not being in touch...family time :-) Eloise I will have to get me more next year. Why is there so much out there one wants for the garden hahahahaha Lucy

Am finally back after a lot of sleeping, and once again, many thanks for your replies. It all helps! Your suggestions sent me back to the internet, so I learned more about tactics for this battle/skirmish. Jlc - I was surprised to read of young people commonly having this, but actually I know you are right - the dang thing is everywhere now. And I will ask my doc (when he's back from his ill-timed vacation lol) about a nutritionist; am sure he'll know someone. Never thought of myself as being immune-system compromised, but now it's a fact, isn't it. Deee - I'm sorry that your relative has this. It really is an odious thing to have, not just on one's body, but also in the back of one's mind. I've filed manuka honey; it apparently is only for open wounds, but sounds good. I would much prefer a natural remedy anyway. Probably I should have some in the house jusr in case. And I understand about taking care with ordering from Amazon; I would stick to a name recommended by someone I kmow. Annie - Am also filing your article about essential oils; I know people who swear by certain ones. Lemongrass oil on one's hands and feet sounds lovely! Regarding meditation, it's something I've daydreamed about for years, as I also have about yoga. I know that you have extolled its benefits here often. It would need to be something I could do by myself, as am dreadful at attending classes that do not lead to a degree > : > ), but am pretty good about schedules at home. Am a bit of a hermit that way. Will look for something online! Localeater - I am sorry that you had to learn about this because of your son. Those years must have been a nightmare. Our DS1 had ten years of catastrophic asthma and was on and off pred for the whole time. Back then there wasn't much being done on "Integrative Medicine", and pred did save his life more than once. Side effects barely came into consideration. Today he is much better, no more pred, takes good care of himself and does employ elements of oriental medicine. I'm glad that your boy is also better! I will check online for NCOLIS. And will have to think of a tactful way to ask my doc about alternatives! Kwsl - Will look for thyme oil as soon as I finish this and add it to the file! It sounds like something good to use in the bathroom. One could top it off with a thyme candle! Thanks! Neetsiepie - Welcome back! You are sounding happy, and it's wonderful to read about your childrens' successes, especially about your son! But I am sorry to read that you have staph/mrsa in addition to other maladies. Yes, have gotten the message about cleanliness, have a bottle of Hibiclens in the kitchen and one in the bathroom, and am dutifully laundering the linens in hot water, the towels almost every day, really beating them up, don't like doing that. But I appreciate your many suggestions, especially your admonition to take it easy and rest, which removes the guilt from curling up and watching Law & Order marathons. Take care of yourself, too! Neetsiepie - One more thing. Saw the picture of your beautiful new cat. He's what the British call an orange marmalade. They have a reputation, especially the males, for wild high energy. We "baby-sat" two over the years and it was like having a hyperactive 3-year old in the house. Constant motion! Enjoy him! Thank you again, everyone - Sable