Girlll...you just made me sit here and cry my heart out..I remember that posting..we had the most fun and even emailed back and forth chatting and laughing over all that..It's hard to believe that was almost 3 years ago and to think..I won't have my Miguel to banter and laugh with..the clematis world just got sadder in a way but in another way..it's moments like this that brings a little cheer and happy memory to mix up my sadness..thanks for revisiting happier times...Jeanne

Jessica, wrong thread, I think. Stacie, I learned quickly to set my priorities. Since I worked outside the home I felt I didn't have a lot of time with my kids. Playing in the pool or going to the playground or baking cookies was always preferable to housework. Now, of course, they're grown and gone and the housework is mostly done most of the time. LOL I'm not sorry I spent those minutes, hours, days with my girls, they won't remember the carpet needed to be vacumned but they'll remember those days in the pool, at the beach, in the kitchen. Annie

Rachael: " California Black Flies ". That's where they are from. I told my Niece in Laguna Beach, Ca. that. She said how did I know they were from CA.? I said," I asked one of them, it answered, I'm from Ca." so I smashed it with a hammer. - - - - - - - - - - - Here is an Article. I Googled " California Black Flies " - - - - - - - - - - - Black Flies Vector Services & Information Black flies are small, menacing, biting flies that are a nuisance to people and animals living, working, or playing near running rivers and streams. These small flies are commonly called "buffalo gnats" because of their humped back appearance. They are typically dark in color and appear in a variety of neutral shades from light gray to black. They belong in the order Diptera (Flies) and in the family Simuliidae. The Bite The painfully itchy bite of the black fly is created when the female cuts a hole in the skin to suck blood from animals and people. Females will attack incessantly around the eyes, ears, scalp and occasionally on the arms and exposed legs. The pain and swelling of the bite are due to allergic reactions to foreign proteins and toxins that the female injects when feeding. Black flies transmit diseases in the tropics, such as River Blindness. Fortunately, they do not transmit any diseases to humans in California, but can cause extreme discomfort and irritation due to their biting habits and/or great numbers. Black Fly Life Cycle Black flies breed in flowing water from rivers and streams to irrigation ditches. After mating the female deposits the fertilized eggs on rocks or other substrate in swift flowing water. Larvae emerge from eggs and develop aquatically, feeding on algae and organic matter flowing by in the moving water. In 7-10 days they develop into pupae. Adults emerge from the pupal case through a slit and float to the surface on a bubble of air. Emerging adults live from 2-3 weeks. They are usually found from spring through fall, with the greatest numbers appearing in the late spring and summer. They are active during the day, with peak activity in the morning and early evening. Personal Protection Avoid areas where black flies are active during the day. Wear (long pants and long sleeves) light colors, especially whites and tans. Wear a light colored hat. Apply insect repellent when outside. If you are bitten, avoid scratching and apply topical products to reduce itching. Black flies are sensitive to weather conditions. They are most active on cloudy, humid days with low wind. GLACVCD's Black Fly Control Program The District controls black flies along an 18-mile stretch of the Los Angeles River - from the Sepulveda Basin in the San Fernando Valley to the junction of the 5 and 110 freeways, northeast of downtown Los Angeles. The black fly control program began in 1994 as a result of a severe black fly infestation along the river corridor that affected horse owners, golfers, and even baseball players at Dodger Stadium. The black fly population that breeds in the river is composed primarily of Simulium vittatum. In 1997, the District created a special benefit assessment zone to fund the black fly control program. An annual assessment of $0.15 was levied on all properties located within two miles of the Los Angeles River and the Arroyo Seco, a small adjoining tributary. Smaller black fly sources within the District, such as creeks and streams are treated on an as-needed basis. GLACVCD's black fly program includes: Monitoring for black fly larval occurrence and abundance. Applying Bti when larval numbers get above predetermined thresholds. Monitoring the effectiveness of treatment. Control Agents Used to Combat Black Flies Black fly management is accomplished by applying a natural soil bacteria called Bti to water sources where black flies breed. Bti stands for Bacillus thurigiensis israeliensis. Bti is a special formulation of common soil bacteria that is highly effective in controlling Black flies and mosquitoes. Because it is extremely specific, Bti is considered one of the safest insect control agents ever developed. Other insects, birds, fish and mammals (including humans) do not have the stomach chemistry to be affected by Bti. If you have a black fly problem, please contact the District at (562) 944-9656 and schedule a free inspection. What would you like to learn about?What is a Vector?MosquitoesMidgesBlack FliesMosquitofishWest Nile Virus West Nile Virus Statistics Tips to Protect YourselfSubmit Service Requests There are a number of Mosquito Species and Mosquito-Borne Diseases known to occur within the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District. Click here to learn more. Copyright 2008 GLACVCD. All Rights Reserved. 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Buzzards really do know how to throw the very best of bashes! I drove down with YaYa and we stopped in TX and picked up Jen and spent the night at her house. Then we 3 drove to Austin the next day and picked up Liz GA at the airport (it was timed perfectly, she was waiting for us) and went the rest of the way to Buzzy and Ed's house. The 4 of us shared a motel room and I don't think we stopped laughing for several days, I remember my ribs were sore from all of it. It was great to meet up with old friends and meet some that we hadn't met before. And that was the start of a really special relationship between Jennifer and me, we've become more like sisters and talk several times a week and visit each other often. It was the best weekend ever, same as the weekend at Sandy's house in IA. So much fun!