@ tishtoshnm, Yeah I do not live in ABQ, I live at 7300 feet elevation at the highest point on 337 (old South 14) just a few miles from the Apple Valley Ranch (about 14 miles south of I-40). I watch my outdoor temp sensors daily and my land has not gotten to 100, maybe mid 90's tops. Its usually at least 10-20 degrees cooler here than ABQ. And unfortunately, no I did not mulch and yes it was suggested, darn it. Live and learn, now I know next year to mulch. Thinking about Kennebecs now, lol after reading how much easier they are at growing in harsh dry climates. So potatoes are sensitive to the heat in the ground? Hmm, interesting, my carrots never get mulch and they grow like super carrots on steroids in my soil (guess they don't care about the heat). I wonder if its to late to throw on some mulch now at the base of the plants? Probably so, oh well there's always next year. Thanks tishtoshnm for the important information. I will definitely mulch next year as I hill up the soil. Rod

Tony, Metformin is a diabetes drug, used to control high blood sugar. But even if you found a drug for hypoglycemia (I'm sure they're out there!), most of the time the condition can be managed with diet. I've had hypoglycemia most of my life ("the" Dr. Atkins, who was my physician in NYC a long time ago, called my glucose tolerance test "a real clunker"). Two critical steps: First, give up sugar. Second, eat frequent small meals throughout the day, including protein whenever possible. Protein doesn't raise your blood sugar quickly, but it keeps it steady. Alisande, I haven't been following your story. Are you seeing an endocrinologist, or are you having the tests done by your regular doctor? I've been having trouble breathing for a year and a half, and none of the tests my doctor (an internist) ordered showed anything. I know low thyroid can do this, and in fact, it feels like the description of thyroid-related breathing problems that I've read: It feels like the muscles involved in breathing have become weak. I mentioned it to my doctor, along with the information that my mouth is sometimes dry, and he ordered the blood tests. My thyroid is at risk for problems because of the radiation I had when I was six years old (to remove my adenoids). I've been wondering how your joints are. Still painful? Forgive me if I've missed some posts! Coral, I feel like I'm falling apart! (However, I remind myself that I've said the same thing at other times in my life, beginning when I was 43--which was 23 years ago.) The knee pain came back on Tuesday, not nearly as bad, but bad enough to make me get out the ibuprofen again. It was preceded by the weird taste (like plastic) in my mouth that preceded the attack of joint pain just before Christmas. I don't know what to make of it, but I know my stomach isn't right, and hasn't been for some time. I saw a gastroenterologist (sp?) about a year ago. He was very nice and down to earth, but he kept telling me I looked good--so much better than most of his patients look. That's great, but it didn't help my symptoms. The stomach symptoms have gotten worse, as has the breathing problem. But as we all know, anxiety can produce breathing problems, or make an existing problem worse. So maybe that's a factor. I really don't know. Honestly, at this point feel like so many things are "off" that I'm reluctant to see any doctor because I know I'd sound like a hypochondriac for sure.

Looks like you are really building up blooms now. I'm seeing more scapes every day. Not sure whether things are going to be much earlier than they were last year though. Last year Stella's Ruffled Fingers bloomed on May 16, I saw scapes on it a few days ago, so I don't think it will be much early, especially with the cooler weather we are having the next few days. I think Fern Stone is going to be earlier than it was last year, but last year was its first bloom year. You have several there that I like. Wild Cherry Wine is such a pretty pink. Love Fighting Fire!

Your comment about her not playing reminded me of when I got Murray (my picture) from the dog shelter. He never played with toys. I got him a very hard bone to chew on and he ignored that too. Then one day a friend was over with his dog and his dog picked up that bone and started chewing on it. It was like a lightbulb went on in Murray's head. After they left, he picked up that bone and started chewing on it. I'm guessing Tuffy may end up doing something like that. Seeing the other dogs play with things may teach her how to do it too. If you've never had something like that, you wouldn't automatically know what to do. Dogs are smart!!