Not to start a heated discussion, but. . . I am NOT proposing to can just "any tomato based recipe". I am proposing to follow the guidlines put forward to the public by a research based State Co-op Extension service. The directions for pressure canning are simple, and straightforward, and contain no language warning that the product will be unfit to eat after processing. There are extensive warnings about following salsa directions explicitly when water bath canning. We all understand and agree that those warning are of the utmost importance, including the need for proper acidification and not increasing the ratio of low acid veges to tomatoes. Perhaps I should have stated my intentions differently. I plan to pressure can at 11 lbs/ 35 minutes a salsa with a much lower pepper content (since I am allergic to peppers), different dried herbs (a safe substitution) and a different and lower source of acid (red wine). I will be following an approved recipe for amounts of tomatoes vs garlic, onions, and herbs; for amounts of tomato paste; and for length of cooking (to control for density issues). After canning this salsa, I may choose to heat it until boiling and serve it over pasta. It still seems like I am within the guidlines put out by WSU. Sharon

Are you aware of what the Ext. has to offer? Do you use it? Do you know about the Master Gardener program, and are you one? Have recent cut-backs in funding hurt the gardening community? I have been aware of the Extension Service since I was a 4-H club member raising chickens. My mother belonged to the "Home Demonstration Club" in that era when the female agent was the "Home Demonstration Agent," teaching canning and sewing and such. The Master Gardener program as I perceive it is an effort to recruit volunteers who are literate enough to dissiminate information on gardening through the extension office. Sitting through the requisite hours of class does not guarantee that the 'Master Gardner' knows anything about actually planning and planting. I heard a horror story about an MG who headed up a group to plant a butterfly garden -- clueless about what plants were appropriate or that you didn't buy plants before the plot was readied, much less spray the caterpillars! The MGs in my own area are knowledgeable people who sometimes write for the local newspaper. They use extension materials as resources and do a good job. They had prior backgrounds in gardening and writing. I've never participated in the program because of the distance to the training site. I did read an entire manual online. I use University Extension web sites from around the country for information for personal use. I don't bother busy agents in this time of cutbacks with questions that I can research for myself. Amazing what you can find, in an intensive web search. I'm always reminded of the story about the old farmer who was approached by the young county agent who wished to advise him on new methods. "Son, I ain't farming half as good as I know how, now," he said. Nell

One dog dies last year and I believe the other did this year. Maybe she just got tired of them and gave them up. It has been quite quiet around here, neighbors have commented on it. As for moving should she replace them, I inherited the house I grew up in. My mother designed it, my father built it. There are over 400 specific plants in the gardens and there is just too much sentimentality involved, not to mention that I am a bit old to be relocating. For now, her hedges have thickened and grown tall enough that all anyone sees is a nice green backdrop for my gardens. You would not even know there was a house in there. It is very unfortunate because the house has an excellent picture window that used to overlook the valley. Last summer, in the only patch of sun filled area in her yard, she had a lawn chair out and was sunning herself. I could only see her through a bathroom window and she looked like the proverbial beached whale. I pulled the curtains to stop from laughing. The dogs are just a memory now....

All's safe...the fire is mostly if not all contained. Weather has been cooperative. The powers-that-be threw everything they had available at this fire, including planes, helicopters, etc. Fire was inaccessible by land, so firefighters had to cut a path in, followed by over 3000 feet of fire hose. Thanks for all the good thoughts. Just another 3 months of fire season... :(