Thanks, we thought we had them safe. They coop is framed with 1"x 1" hardware cloth, and then the out side has fence stapled and buried around the coop and run. The only place I can think it is getting inn is thru a part of the bottom that is covered with bigger holed hardware cloth. That part is covered with a piece of plywood that is not screwed down, because we pull, that part up for cleaning and for their water to drain. All doors are locked up tight, 2 with key locks and 2 with medal rock climber hooks! That would be the gate to the pen, and the door inside the pen that leads to the coop. I key lock up the nest doors! Could the 2 hens fighting cause this? Would a duck poke a whole in an egg? A rat couldn't get an egg out of the coop, it wouldn't fit thru the hardware cloth! I'm off the recover the part with the loose board. Just when you think you fixed one problem, 10 more arise! Brenda

The "leaves and green above" should just continue with their normal cycle, eventually ageing and withering in time. I wouldn't remove them, they're still feeding the plant. The only thing I'd watch is that the hole in the side becomes too small for the new centre shoot and chokes it. Best to just keep a watch on it (and put up some sort of protection from the ducks, they'll keep doing it just out of curiosity and/or boredom). The manure from the ducks will keep the bananas happy.

jemdandy, here in Minnesota I heard it told a bit different. The question is: Why do the ducks fly upside down over Iowa?....... There's nothing worth cr@ping on. Ron

Shee, I hope it is not dated.....cuz I have lots (okay, not lots but quite a few) bird prints. You may remember me trying to place that big ole blue heron in my den last year - an old Audubon. I have some Ray Harm prints in my powder room & I collect (small) Leon Danchin of the dogs. Okay, enough about me....on to you!! I haven't seen the print above the spider back chair - that looks good! What about if you took the pic from the foyer & stacked it on top of the duck pic on that wall next to the demilune? You could do an "art wall" there since you moved the furniture & keep adding to it...... I have been meaning to suggest a simple oval mirror for over the demilune - simple vs. ornate with just a cache pot of fresh seasonal greenery - pine for winter - ferns for spring summer - ya know what I am saying. Lookin' good, girl! Smiles:)