Hi all... I replied to a message I recieved in my email and I thought the reply would be posted on this board, but I see it is not here. If it does turn up, forgive the double post..... "Gosh I had no idea that this (my original post) would cause a bit of "fuss" if I can use that word and no one gets upset. I just thought that a swap might be done, (and) that it was not too early to "think" about doing it and would host no problem becasue I had the time. Someone else suggested I might want to take over another persons. Let me say I am not looking to step on any ones toes, and certainly would rather start "my own" if it takes the hassel out of things, so to speak due to my original posting. I just kinda feel if there are folks that want to think about doing a swap now, and want to swap with me and others that I would host, because I am retired and have the time. Nancy. PS... I might add I don't look at this as being "my own", it is just a figure of speech. I am happy to join a swap, if some one else wants to host it. Or I can put in the time and do it. It really makes no difference to me. I don't think there should be any feelings of toes being stepped on or hurt feelings. We are not children right? If someone has shown they are responsibe and can do this fine, if however another person starts one, a person should not be offended. At some point in our lives we all want to "step up and be noticed" I think in one way or another. And this is a way for some folks to have that notice, and there is nothing wrong with that. The thing that is honorable in the effort, is the "carring it thru to the end (or till the seeds come up.. hee hee..)", not many of us can do that. So, as far as I am concerned... I have seeds and if there is a round robin, called Winter sow or "put it in the ground and grow it"... I don't much care. I am simply interested in a swap. Have a nice day all.

N. merrilliana and its hybrids grow slowly but when they are right size to produce a good sized pitcher they do and they are fascinating. N. insignis is also a huge pitcher, I would say almost as large as merrilliana and this hybrid has potential of getting huge. This better be grown on a bench or shelf as this one would prefer to rest its pitchers on a solid surface. Alata x truncata grows like a weed. Depending on the alata form, expect long tubular pitchers about a foot on the average and lots of them. Lots of light as alatas like sun! This will grow very well in a hanging basket with good lighting to keep the leaves compact.

I just have junk to deal with -- good thoughts and wishes to those with health problems! Magazines are not my issue. My town's yearly bulk pick up is next week and I've been cleaning out my garage, basement and attic. The basement is basically done except for about 50 cans of paint that have to be dried out and discarded. That's a project that will be on-going for awhile. Don't keep paint cans is my advice. Pour some into a small jar to keep and get rid of the can. If you need more than a touch-up, go buy a quart. I have a huge walk-up attic that has been a dumping ground for everything we have not wanted to deal with for years. I have been filling contractor bags with junk my kids brought home from college (youngest graduated 4 years ago!). I'm trying to recycle what I can, but I have reached the conclusion that I can't let that hold me up. And I have to go through everything - I found some gold earrings my daughter said she's been looking for and there are papers with SS#'s and other sensitive info. Whenever I've upgraded a lamp or a chair the old one has gone to the attic for the kid's apartments. Guess what - they don't want my old stuff! I have a charity picking up anything worthwhile. It's gotten to the point that I have run out of room to sort things around the piles that have to go out. I've hired a few young men to help me get it all to the curb this weekend. I can't wait to see how much space is left. Another purge will have to happen before it's really cleared out, I'm sure. You would not believe the electronic equipment that needs to be disposed of - who has 7 turntables? ME! The garage is a whole other problem. There are cabinets that are filled with half-empty cans of solvents and stuff like that. I have to box it up to wait for the toxic chemical dump day. The cabinets are going on the curb. I think that cabinets in the garage are a bad idea - the more storage you have, the more junk you keep. My DH used to work in a hardware store so we have discontinued displays of entry sets, doorknobs, and towel bars, plus coffee cans filled with every size screw and nail. That's all going to a Habitat-type organization near me. It takes a lot of effort to keep stuff out of landfills, but I'm trying.

Yeah with the comment about frost I knew where you were going ... my thinking was being "springy" it wouldn't freeze as deep or at all. Being pretty close to Lake Michigan and in the winter we get the perma cloud with the cold air coming across it. Thus plants wouldn't be getting much sun thus not needing much water in the winter if there was such a unicorn to begin with. This area never had any problem before this new drain field. Weird thing is further down hill the soil is drier. The problem I'm having is the lawn mower sinking in this wet area. In the 25 years I've been in my house I've trenched 2 4" pipes down to the lake for my gutters. Then the drain field I'm talking about. Later trenched electricity down to the lake and pressure pipe back towards the house for my lake pump. Then a major landscaping project, then a 4 season porch so I don't know if I can handle tearing up my lawn again. This grassy area is about 24' in diameter and what I might do is plant some shrubs here thus I won't have to mow it. Any suggestion on shrubs (under 5' tall) for this area? Wet, mostly sunny, clay?