Ok, about the price, I don't even want to think about how much they cost...let's just say they weren't cheap ugh! My mom got them for me as gifts though, so I didn't want to be rude and ask, but I took a peek at the price tag in the pot and it wasn't low. It was in a gallon size pot, though, so for a plant that big, maybe it wasn't a bad price...

Since I've been composting and making leaf mold since the 1970's and read and reread Sir Albert Howard I figured out that by creating and turning a hot pile the N is saved and weed seeds and pathogens are destroyed. I six weeks I can use this for a seed mix if I so choose. As for leaves in a pile; I would never do that. Leaves are fermented. Manures and forbs are composted. If I wanted to plug up and slow or stop my hot compost I would put a bunch of leaves in with the manure. When is the last name horses and cattle have dropped their manure in leaf piles...they do not live and eat in the forest.

I have refrained from this conversation, but really want to weigh in. I have never been to a concert, bought a t-shirt or poster, nor do I have any little girls in my life that have swooned over him. Does he need to straighten up? Most definately. But I do feel sorry for him. He has been a celebrity more than half his life. Everywhere he goes, he is fawned over and pampered. People scrambling to meet or exceed his every whimper. Probably never been said no to, never spanked, never sent to his room, never denied anything. It was his talent that paid for it afterall (and possibly your job that hung in the balance) I cant imagine all have been looking out for his best interest. Where would a celebrity of his status get alcohol and drugs? He is far too popular to walk out on the street and ask for any...He has no school mates slipping it to him. His suppliers are trusted adults. Probably the same adults that are on his bankroll. The same people that make money when he is in the spotlight. Lets give the kid a little slack. I believe his behaviour was taught, encouraged and condoned by some unsavory people looking to take advantage. HE HAS BEEN TAUGHT that he is untouchable. It's not too late for him to get some tough love and guidance. I only hope he can, because ALL celebrities are role models. Kids with no role models at home will find someone to mirror their behaviour.

Hi Rob, Not much to add ... and hope that you're back at least part way out of your blue funk. Brother, retired farmer who lives 1600 miles way, has one son, only child, in a city 100 miles from here, a couple of small grand-daughters from son's second marriage, and comes to visit them a couple of times a year. He'd called to say he was to be in the neighbourhood, and we got together on Friday, I called son and he and his partner were there for lunch, as was brother and wife ... and a couple of favourite cousins were, as well. Brother spent a few years when he was very young with the family of our Mom's brother and their two children when she was ill, so he considers one as almost a sister: the son, a local farmer, died several years ago. The other cousin lives locally and I see her at church fairly often - she, who had voice training, has sung in the choir for 75 years. The brother and I went to deal with some complications over inheritance of cemetery plots that Dad owned ... and it looks as though resolution is to be easier than we figured. Then we sat and had a chat ... and he's rather worried about future viability of his son's marriage. We don't see one another often, but we've been close, over the years. Our brother died over forty years ago, when his kids were in their teens, and our ready-made sister that came with our stepmom lives near brother in Saskatchewan. It's a red letter day when we get together. ole joyful