Vikki, I'm hoping the weather improves, this can't last much longer can it? We have set a record for having the coldest first 10 days in June ever. Last night I wandered out into the kitchen for just a few minutes the sun was streaming in the window, I felt like I'd been hit by a ray gun from outer space. Today, it's 7:41 in the A.M. looking out the window I can see blue sky, some clouds and possibly the sun is lurking behind the trees in front of our house. The weatherman is saying the next few days are going to be somewhat nicer, lets hope. I'll be starting the sun dance routine on the 15th just for you, hoping all the time old mother nature doesn't douse me with a bucket of water, I guess it just depends on how cranky she is. Butchart Gardens is really beautiful this time of year, mind you it looks great no matter what time of year. Victoria is also known for it's beautiful hanging baskets I think they've just been put out. I've given you a link to the Abkhazi Gardens, I've never been but friends have, they say it's beautiful in the spring. Hope you have a great time and the weather is decent while you're here. Annette Here is a link that might be useful: Abkhazi Gardens

Perhaps the term is being used differently, but weeping Japanese maples have no "leader", therefore there is no reason to stake anything to create a new "leader". Japanese maples, even upright forms, belong to a classification of the growth habit of trees that is described as 'decurrent' or possessing weak apical control. These types of trees, which include most deciduous shade trees, grow a number of more or less equally sized major scaffolding branches (no single 'leaders') that will form a rounded canopy/crown - or in the case of weeping trees, a flattened, spreading crown. That is a pretty severe wound. You could have bolted the split had the damage been assessed earlier (not necessarily an action I would recommend on a rather delicate little tree like this) but at this late date, pruning off the broken branch cleanly (A to B) is really the only viable solution. The tree may or may not generate replacement growth from this side but will likely always look a bit lopsided. If it were mine, I'd replace it. And as botann suggests, prune or thin as necessary to allow for potential snow/ice loads going forward.

I agree with Terri Exfoliate first then put some regular lotion, not too heavy, on your knees, elbows, and feet. Those are the dryer areas so they will soak up more of the tanner than the others. I'd also start with the lighter tanner and work your way up from there. I used to use that stuff and was really happy with the way it worked I just didn't like the way it made me smell. I never asked my husband if he could smell it, but I always noticed it and felt like I smelled sweaty or something. Maybe they've fixed that. I'd use it again if they did.

Unfortunately it's simply time to do it again. Just part of the maintenance associated with wood windows, no way to prevent it. You could consider adding film if your windows do not have low e, that would potentially offer some energy savings as well as block some of the sun that is damaging the finish.