Wow LP, that is an impressive set-up. I was going to suggest more aggressive water changes, but you state that water is so expensive. We do have have to use de-clor in our water, so we run fresh water in the pond everyday with the hose. We let the hose run for about 10 minutes, and estimate that we change about 35 to 40 % of the water each week. We clean the filter pads once a week and only run the skimmer in the Spring and fall to collect the tree droppings. We have also discovered a wonderful filter medium -- 'Easter Grass'. We put it into waldmart laundry bags (they cost 1.50 each) Fill the bag with Easter grass 1/2 way up, tie off the center and turn it inside out so that it is in half. (So that there is more netting so that the grass doesn't escape) Put it in your filter box (keep it away from any pumps, in case grass escapes, you don't want it to clog your pump) Rinse it off once a week, when you clean the filters. We discovered this a few years ago, originally we meant it to use as bio-filtration but discovered was fantastic as mechanical filtration. You can't believe the stuff clinging to this grass every week. Here is a photo of the new one we made up this spring. here it is inverted inside out, before placing in the pond Lily, Here's a shot of a "fish out of water"

Thanks for the apple squares recipe. I've copied and saved it for the some-day-in-the-future when I can actually test it. I've been in oven withdrawl for the past month as my kitchen is being re-done. My current cooking appliances, microwave, hot-plate, toaster, kettle, and crock-pot, all share the same circuit, so I can only use one at a time. I can't help collecting cake recipes during the interval.

Interesting that some people are having a cow over Hobby Lobby being open but I haven't heard a word of protest about Joann's. Copied from JoAnns' site: Valued JOANN Customers – In these uncertain times, I want to update you on the latest developments as we work to continue offering much-needed inspiration and respite, as safely as possible. I am incredibly proud to be part of a retailer that powers thousands of small businesses and sellers, inspires creativity and learning, and helps millions of people make to give to charity. Now more than ever, it is important that we continue to safely provide what these Americans need to support their livelihood, mental wellness and community giving. As shared previously, we have been taking action to ensure we are protecting our facilities, customers and teams across the nation. We continue to rely on the guidance of public health agencies, including the CDC and local, state and federal governments. As such, we are taking proactive measures to protect all who visit and work in our stores. • Store Hours: To operate safely and efficiently while serving our customers, national store hours will be temporarily changed to 9am-7pm. Some stores may be closed or have further limited hours, depending on local restrictions and recommendations. Please visit joann.com/stores for the most up-to-date closures and hours information. • Shopping Options: We are now offering Curbside Pick-Up at all open locations. Simply make a purchase via Buy Online, Pick-Up In-Store, and call the store when you arrive. We also offer convenient Ship to Home offers at joann.com and on the mobile app, so you don’t even have to leave home. • Store Events: Until further notice, all in-store events, classes and group gatherings are being postponed. All previously purchased classes can be rescheduled free of charge once they are reopened. • Free Inspiration: I am glad to share we are offering more inspiration at home with thousands of free projects, video classes and an offer of 2 months free of Creativebug, a creative learning service with inspiration for all. • Team Member Support: We are doing all we can to support our amazing Team Members, especially those who are cleaning our stores, stocking our shelves and bringing Handmade Happiness to customers. We are providing dedicated daily and real-time updates; offering benefits including a variety of leave options and Employee Assistance Programs; have added maintenance support; and are implementing remote working options for corporate Team Members. Our People are what set JOANN apart, and they are always our first priority. As we’ve reiterated from the beginning of this unfortunate situation, the well-being of all JOANN customers, Team Members and partners is our main focus, and we will do all we can to get through this together -- as a strong, tightknit and caring community of creators. Wade Miquelon President & CEO https://www.joann.com/joanns-letter-to-customers-from-ceo/

And, the flannel selection may be one of the best things in the store, so, what does that tell you about the rest of it? I, too. was in there a couple of days ago. It has been some time since my last walk in and it has gotten even more awful. The holiday display as you come in certainly sets the tone for the rest of the store. Really? I keep seeing the ads for all the 100s of bolts of cotton fabrics but the reality of that is pretty sad. And, the store is still a huge jumbled mess of stuff sitting in carts and piles everywhere! I bought a length of ridiculously brightly colored floral cotton to make a pair of pj pants. I will be able to "glow" my way to the dark bathroom at night wearing these. I am dismayed by the lack of sophisticated prints. You can find kids prints, novelties, lots of florals but very rarely a nice sophisticated abstract or a fine overall texture print. It is all so ugly , unless you want to look like you are dressed in a shabby chic pillowcase from the 90s. Yes, pretty prints but I dont want a dress made from them. I understand how you were hoping to find something different from all the usual suspects that haunt the kids fabrics. The world of garment sewing has passed, for the most part. It is now for those with disposable income and those who are adventurous enough to buy online. The young un's are sewing costumes, preferrably those that allow for lots of cleavage exposure or cover only the most naughty of bits, barely, or they may be trying to imitate AI images that defy the laws of physics, and are looking for a pattern that will do that really wierd thing like in the image. And, for some reason that I cant quite wrap my old sewing head around, they want machines that can sew through two layers of steel, or eight layers of heavy bull denim, whatever! In days of yore sewing machines were touted as being able to go from sewing chiffon to heavy drapery fabric. Now some expect to have the strength of an industrial machine in a $100 machine from Walmart. Who is sewing so many layers of bullishly heavy fabric? That is what industrial factory machines are for. It is a different world now. There is no going back. There rarely is. There is a reason why refashioning of second hand garments has become popular. Some resell things can yeild some nice fabrics. . And, we know all too well how many mountains of discarded textiles there are around the world. I dont think that a week goes by but what I see images in the media of these things happening or see "tips" from fluff articles about how to save the planet by making 20 little unneeded things that you never imagined wanting, and still dont want, from a pair of old pants. Or, how to be a Cinderella and make a fabulous evening gown from an old table cloth or duvet cover or 60s era bed sheets. Sometimes it does work out, and they deserve mention and sometimes I cant unsee those old bed sheets, in orange and pink or "southwest" colors of the early 90s, often with a howling wolf somewhere in that motif. I wonder what do some you who sew see as the future of the sewing world? What do you think will happen to the pattern publishing industry? Do you think that the nice natural fibers that used to be will come back? Why do we not have the ability to do a whole body scan and have a basic sloper pattern generate off of it? And, why would that not be something that could be accessible to many? There are so many ways things could evolve. The easiest path to follow is downwards towards the lowest common denominator, of course. But, maybe there is something better to come. What do you fellow sewists see as the future? What would the young ones want to see? I think that would be a fun discussion to have. I am old and full of lament about what has gone away, but the future is for the young and what kind of future for sewing do they see for it? I am tired of lamenting the past and ready to see a new path that leads to a future, what ever that might be. I think that the refashioning of second hand will flourish and will become a fashion statement. I saw in Kohls the other day that they are selling short jeans skirts that have the look of refashioned jeans. The big difference is that these were intended to imitate that look but they were cut with fabric that accommodates this, whereas many that are made from old jeans are short of the fabric in the right places that is needed to do it right. And, of course they are NOT made from repurposed jeans. I see that remaking as something that will become more popular. There is added appreciation for some of the older mechanical machines and sturdy models from yesteryears, for good reason. Older machines in working order are sought after. Maybe there will come to be retail outlets that only deal in older refurbished machines. Maybe? I dont see 60s bed sheets of psychedelic orange and pink as becoming hot imitated items on the racks at the department store, but , who knows? It could happen. It could be the next hotteest thing! Let the future happen! Time to move on, where ever.