George, I read about the resistance of the varieties you mention, but didnÂt imagine that would change so much per location. I have to have those seeds next year to try. Si, el cambio es muy grande, after the 6inches/14.8mm of rain yesterday, I had to wear my wooden shoes to go to see the vegetables LOL! ItÂs sooo strange to walk with them but they help in the mud, and you write so perfect Spanish. How come? Raisemybeds, we covered the tomatoes with that lightweight fabric, although not pretty, till now (cross my fingers) the tomatoes and pepper seem to like that protection. IÂve been earlier shaking the stems and was wondering if the pumpkin pollination would be so simple not so, as per what I read. Bill, yesterday I didnÂt turn the compost pile that I left to mature, since I saw there were some pumpkin seedlings showing up, and I thought, well, you never know maybe they grow nice. This morning guess what, they were gone, disappeared. IÂd eat Butternut Squash every day, casually found a grocer that sells it. Back in Argentina my mother had a piece ready for my arrival from the office nearly everyday Now IÂve got some Butternut seeds popping up in a propagator. Violet, I know thereÂs lots of info. However, last year while I was "researching" what happened that time to the tomatoes raised by me from seed, my husband convinced me to check a bit less ugly bugÂs pictures and diseased plants on the internet, and just try again, strengthening precautions. Pumpkin is not so popular here for eating, but for Halloween, therefore availability of seeds for consume (ie. to grow without chemicals) is just starting. I didnÂt plant resistant varieties, because I simply could not find any offered for sale. Thank you all for such warm welcome! Carol.

Hi Toni The potting mix for leaves needs to be very light with at least fifty percent perlite which creates air pockets for the roots to breathe. Then add potting mix. I get the one labelled for AVs from Ace Hardware and Garden Center. Some people add some vermiculite which retains moisture in the mix. They should be placed in very small cups such as very small solo cups with small holes cut in the bottom for drainage. I use an Xacto knife also bought at Ace. Sometimes I cut about a 3/4" around from the top of the cup if it seems too tall. It is better for no more than one or two per cup because when they grow, they need space. If you cannot do this all in one day, put the leaves in water with a pinch of sugar. You can find many photos on this forum for rooting leaves and samples of trays with clear plastic lids to put them in after putting them into each small cup. You can also find the trays with tall covers at Ace. Because you live in Calif you probably have an Ace near you. The leaves will take nine months to grow to the small plant stage so they won't take up much space for a long time. You will start to see many more white plants in stores. It can be hard to find pure white but I saw Optimara has a new one on their website also. Yes, some folks like older or vintage violets. Have fun. J

I wanted to thank everyone who has posted about their estrangements with their children. Your wisdoms and stories show me that I am not alone in my estrangement from my only child, my adult daughter (age 33). It is comforting to know that other parents have gone through this, and have dealt with the same shock and grief I feel. You give me hope that I can finally let go, and get on with my own life. I recognized years ago that the serious choices I made as a single parent did effect her. Without a college education, I usually worked two jobs, during the day a secretary and a waitress at night. It was a necessity, because my daughter had medical issues early on in life and we did not access to insurance because of her pre-existing condition. I don't regret my job choices and was never embarrassed about being working-class, even though some of my waitressing jobs were in strip bars where the money was good. A few years back, I learned my daughter was embarrassed by my work history, lower income status, and my small house in the mountains in rural USA. I thought I would die of heartbreak. Tha was when the estrangement began. Our interactions as a mother and daughter became like a rollercoaster (as one person here so aptly described her own estrangement). Now she has no contact with me at all. She does not care if I live or die. The only news I hear now is when she calls her grandparents who live in Washington, DC. I learned from them that my daughter had married a navy pilot, a young man whose has rich family from Maine. My folks said he seems like a very good man, and I am happy for her. From them, I learned she now travels the world, like a jet-setter, and seems to be happy. I guess that all a parent can hope for is that their child is loved, happy and healthy. My daughter has all of that. So in truth, I guess I shouldn't complain. I rarely join blogs or forums. I wanted to join, and if for no other reason, to let others know I appreciate them. Thanks for listening. Light, Tofuanna

Your model appears to be an inexpensive (relatively) top load laundry center. I just replaced a very similar model that was over 25 years old. It was very noisy - yours is probably quieter - but it did shake some during the spin cycle. If the machine is moving at all on the floor or making anything but normal machine-spinning noises call for service. Frigidaire has a front-load laundry center - GLEH1642D - that is highly rated - and not much more money. If you need to replace this bad one you might research this model.