Chills: Actually, it would have been better to let it go dormant and dig it, but no sense crying over split mile (as Laurel, of Laurel and Hardy, used to say). Figs are tough, and you may still end up with three trees growing. Regarding the one you planted outside: it had little time to establish its own roots, planted that late in the year, so what you have outside is pretty much what you have inside--a big lump of fig roots and branches. Not rooted, the one outside should be really protected from the cold. Just bury it under MUCH mulch and/or soil, and even put a piece of plywood over the works, if you can. Fig wood buried in that manner should have life in it when you uncover it in the Spring, and should go on from there. Don't forget, the ones you have in your basement still need (some) water--about once a month, or they may dehydrate and die. Just moisten the soil so it's available to the roots--don't soak--and look in on them every few weeks, or so. If there is a possibility of vermin (rats, mice, voles, etc.) getting into your cold cellar, arrange your two potted figs so the vermin can't get to them. They will surely eat the sweet fig bark and wood, if you don't. Things oughta' work out if you do these few things. It'll give you something to look forward to in the coming year--FRESH FIGS!

Eileen, If you cant tell by my online name, IÂm gardengrlÂs DH and yes, I am a former resident of Key West (KW) (born and raised there, so IÂm a Conch). Gardengrl called me and said you needed some info on where to stay, where to eat, what to see, etc. Hotels First a heads up, the dates youÂre going down there is the same weekend as Sport (mini) Lobster season. This means you will be competing for hotel rooms, restaurant seats, parking spaces, etc., with every person coming down for the lobsters. Given this, I would start working on securing hotel reservations now. Sorry you couldnÂt get into the Pier House; I have family working there and it is very nice. Suggestions on hotels/B&Bs depends on whether you going to have access to a car while in KW. If youÂre not planning to take/rent a car and are looking to stay in downtown KW, and since you were looking at Pier House, IÂm going to suggest taking a look at the Crowne Plaza La Concha. It is on Duval St very close to the downtown scene. Just checked the website and they are running summer specials, which may or may not be in effect given the Mini Lobster season. http://www.laconchakeywest.com/ There is a Hyatt in old town; however, I have never stayed or been inside the hotel and wonÂt recommend something simply based on the name. If you want to try a B&B, the Curry Mansion mentioned earlier is nice. Another place to try is the Pilot House, which is on the corner of Eaton and Simonton, which is one block off Duval St. Outside of Old Town, I can recommend two hotels. The first is the Courtyard Marriott on the corner of North Roosevelt and Kennedy Dr. Gardengrl and I stayed at this hotel last year and it is a good value. The other hotel, which IÂve been to before (and where Gardengrl and I will be staying in September) is the Doubletree Grand Key Resort on South Roosevelt (by the airport). http://doubletree1.hilton.com/en_US/dt/hotel/EYWDTDT-Doubletree-Grand-Key-Resort-Florida/index.do Getting around If you are planning to visit KW in August sans automobile, I do not recommend staying anywhere outside Old Town because as Gina alluded to earlier, it is the hottest month of the year. The ocean breezes that keep KW moderately bearable during the summer months die down during August and you will die trying to ride a bike to downtown KW. Even if youÂre coming from a strong sun area, do not underestimate the sun in KW. Definitely recommend strong, waterproof sunscreen, hats, and light clothing. If you will have access to a car, and plan to stay at a hotel outside of Old Town KW, be forewarned that parking in Old Town can be a challenge during a special event like Mini Lobster. In any case, if you have a car, bring a good supply of quarters with you to feed meters (we do when we go). Unless you and DH are used to riding motorized bikes, I recommend renting or taking bicycles vice renting mopeds to get around the island. The parking is far easier, you will just as much of the island, and you will be less likely to wreck a bicycle. Places to Eat. Again, all of these are local places. Breakfast: SandyÂs Café 1026 White St-- If there is one place that I recommend to EVERYONE who visits KW, SandyÂs is that place. This is THE locals place to gather in the mornings; most tourists drive by SandyÂs and donÂt give it a second look. SandyÂs is located inside M&MÂs Laundry on the corner of White and Virginia Streets and is a morning ritual for Gardengrl and I whenever we visit KW. There is no seating per se, since it is inside a Laundromat, so anything ordered there is takeout. I believe I san safely say that SandyÂs serves the strongest, best tasting coffee on the island. I recommend the colada (unless you like your coffee really strong and black, get a milk chug to dilute the colata), Cuban Espresso (AKA bucce or Cuban Speed) and Cuban toast for breakfast. They also serve the best Cuban sandwich (Cuban Mix) on the island. PepeÂs Café, 806 Caroline St  If you want something more sitdown, PepeÂs Café serves a very good breakfast at reasonable prices. It is located on Caroline St, near the Turtle Kraals area and is one of the oldest restaurants on the island (opened 1909). They also serve lunch and dinner. Lunch/Dinner: Turtle Kraals Restaurant & Bar 231 Margaret St  Given the last couple of experiences Gardengrl and I had here (slow service), I almost did not include this long-time local hangout. Turtle Kraals is on the water and serves good seafood. DanteÂs Restaurant and Raw Bar, 951 Caroline St  DanteÂs is a newer place, but has become a favorite of locals. It is located across the parking lot from Turtle Kraals restaurant. DanteÂs is noteworthy because they have a pool in the middle of the restaurant. They serve more sports bar type foods, but have a full bar and pretty good drinks. Rusty Anchor, 5510 3rd Avenue (on Stock Island)  If you donÂt have a car and want seafood, you can try this local favorite. Stock Island is just outside the KW city limits. Usually during Mini Lobster season, Rusty Anchor runs a special on whole lobster. The next two are places I have promised to take Gardengrl, but havenÂt gotten around to. When we go down in September, I will have to take her to one of these two eateries. El Siboney Restaurant, 900 Catherine St  Most people who come to KW want to try Cuban food at least once during their visit. El Siboney is the localÂs choice. This restaurant has been family owned forever (number of different families) and when you walk in, you feel like youÂre walking into someoneÂs living room. However, the restaurant has excellent food at very reasonable prices. Blue Heaven, 729 Thomas St  Dine with the kitties and chickens. Blue Heaven is located within Bahama Village and serves chicken and seafood with a Caribbean flair. They have a blog that I found while looking up the street address. http://blueheavenbacktalk.blogspot.com/ Bars and places for cocktails Its difficult for me to recommend bars to someone I donÂt know. Bars that I think are quite acceptable may be out of the question for others and vice versa. Since youÂre into Buffett, will recommend a few in Old Town Green Parrott, Whitehead St (great to go during the day) Bull and Whistle, Duval St Fat TuesdayÂs, Duval St (yes, I know this is a chain, but its going to be hotter than hell down there and you may want something cold, frosty, and alcohol-laden). HogÂs Breath Saloon, Duval St And since it will be your first time, do recommend Sloppy JoeÂs on Duval and the Original Sloppy JoeÂs (the one Hemingway went to), which is now Capt TonyÂs, and is on Greene St, just around the corner from Sloppy JoeÂs. Just as a heads up (since I donÂt know you). Key West does have a good sized gay and lesbian community, most of who reside in Old Town. I mention this because many who visit KW and are not aware of this sometimes come away with a poor view of the city, simply based on their own beliefs or something they witnessed while on vacation there. What I advise people who have never been down there before is keep an open mind and enjoy yourself.

Oops! Is your basket in the pump solid or does it have a hole? If it is solid, the ball could be just inside the endpoint plumbing at the pump and stuck against the basket. My basket has a hole on the water input size and a frog was sucked into my skimmer last week while i was cleaning the basket, it was bigger than a ping pong ball and was in the basket when I walked around, I let him out of course.

I'm replacing the pool motor, and never wired up the 2 speed aspect of my motor, which I now intend to do oen way or the other. So, I have the following, hopefully, simple questions: 1. Since this Emerson motor EB-982 is designed to have one of the Line voltage 220s, L1, on EITHER the high speed, OR the low speed lugs in the motor, I'm assuming that: a. you can't connect that L1 220 line to BOTH high and low lugs at the same time -- right? b. You CAN, while the motor is spinning in one of the two speeds, SWITCH the L1 from low to high, or high to low, without stopping the motor, using some switch/ relay c. I cannot leave power applied to the L2 side of the motor if L1 is not connected to the high or low speed lugs On the timeer, I wanted to see if I could use what I have, and add as little hardware as possible. Unfortunately, Intermatic 104s don't come with a complete schematic for us electronics guys. What I couldn't find on anyone's site, or on the company's website, how ALL the switches are wired to the lugs! For instance, Lug "A" --- WHAT is IT wired to?? the only reference I find is this: " "277/480 VOLT CONNECT MOTOR LEADS TO TERMINALS "A" AND 1 AND SUPPLY NEUTRAL TO TERMINAL "A" " I know how the other lugs are wired to which switches, because it is shown. But some parts of many devices must be deemed to be "common knowledge" to electricians, NOT showing how some parts are wired into the whole system, leaving us electronics guys that can fix TVs and computer, totally in the dark!! Anyway, ignore my rant, but this one bugs me --- I know I can either take it apart or test it with an ohm meter to figure it out. But it sure seems that it should be clear what that lug goes to. I'd hate to guess and be wrong about what it does go to. Here is a link that might be useful: Intermatic 104 wiring diagram