My Lehman's catalogue arrived yesterday, and I thought of you. It started out as a business which catered to the Amish and Menonites in this country - German religious sects which settled here in the 17th century. They still exist in large communities in Pennsylvania and areas in the Midwest. They do not use electricity, automobiles, etc. (they really do drive horse & buggies in the slow lane on the highways). Fabulous farmers. They are the reason there is still a market here in serious plow horses, horse drawn plows, etc. I was in PA driving around with an elderly friend who had lived there all of his life (he was "Pennsylvania Dutch", and totally in the modern world, but still was able to speak the ancient German dialect, and spoke English with a slight German accent, despite the fact that his family has been here since the 1660s!). We passed a lovely farm house with at least 2 dozen Amish men climbing all over it doing sort of construction type things. I asked my friend what was going on, and he said "They are taking the electricity out", because it had been purchased by an Amish family! Anyway, the Lehman's catalogue has every tool & gadget you can imagine in a version that does not require power, as well as all sorts of wood stoves (with cooking ovens & tops), etc. etc. It was advertising a book about how to live without electricity, too. I thought you might find it amusing - they have a web site. Jackie

Papou, I am fairly new on this forum, and I remember one of the first things I did was open your website. I was stunned with the amount of beauty and information on it and was actually looking forward to winter when I would have it to study and enjoy during my "down time". As I was calmly reading this thread last night, I was stunned when I got to your announcement. I am devastated with the news of your health. However, I stopped believing diagnosises years ago. I had colon cancer in 1987 and breast cancer in 2000, and I'm still going strong. We have so many meds and procceedures that are continually being updated and improved, and I know your doctor will do the very best for you. In fact my Oncologist told me that they now treat so many cancers as a chronic illness. We are not willing to give up your pictures, information, and enthusiasm as well as the wonderful calm dignity you always project in your posts. I love your new porch addition, and your prize hosta growing along your new steps. Stay busy, stay in touch, and God Bless You. We only have one Papou, and you are our treasure. I hope all our prayers will bring you comfort. Your fellow Hosta lover, Mary.

Attracting one pair of Purple Martins; they successfully nested, layed five eggs, and fledged five chicks. It wasn't the normal, crowded, high-energy colony I usually have, but it was the start of my new colony at the new house. FEED ME!!!! For the last week the male had to feed the chicks alone. The female died. The little guys weren't liking the lack of rations. This is the papa Purple Martin during the last week; he managed to fledge the chicks alone. He was so busy. He was flying with, and still feeding, the 3 and 4 that got brave enough to leave the gourd, while still constantly feeding #5. He would not fledge no matter how hard Papa, and the visiting SY males, tried to persaude him. Instead of fledging on Day 28, he finally jumped out on day 34. He flew off, and then came right back to the gourd for three more days! LOL

I am so amazed at everyone here. We all have a story to tell. Some are harder then others. When it is said that you don't know until you have walked in their shoes, this is truier then you could ever imagine. I remember my sisters last battle with cancer. She decided not to do any treatment. Her doctor was wonderful to her. He told her if it was his mother facing this he would advise her in the same way. We had thought we would have my sister through the hoildays. She died two months later on September 4th. Sadly, it was on my youngest daughter's 30th birthday. I lived about an hour away and went every other day to spend time with her. When we knew time was running out I packed my bags and told my hubby I wouldn't be back until it was over. I am so thankful I was there. My grandma died a horrible death with cancer. I saw her for the last time on my wedding day. We went to her house after the ceremony. While on my honeymoon I called every day to check on her. We came home early so I could see her one last time. She died 30 minutes before we got there. She was a fabulous lady and only 54 years old. I have lost 17 loved ones from both my family and my hubbies.. It changes a person's life forever. For myself, I don't think of it often. I go get checked when I need to and live my life to the fullest every day. I worry about our daughters and grandaughters having to someday deal with this. But, that being said, we can't sit back and wait for it to happen. If it happens we will do all we can to stand together and deal with it.. Cancer is no longer a death sentence like it was years ago. I also know when you are first told it is the first thing to come to a person's mind. It is hard not the think this way. I pray everyone here has the best that life has to offer them. For me I think of my wonderful father-in-law so much. I know when I have a really great day he is smiling down at me and saying, "Great job, Susie." Some days I really feel like he is patting me on the back. Enjoy all you have..