Robert, this is my first attempt at growing in full weather. I have several other hydro systems inside including ebb and flow and dwc. These are doing exceptionally well. I think with my res shaded and buried and the enclosed buckets, I should be able to keep things cool with the exception of the canopies. I am planning on building up a sun screen to help with that. I dont think the rain should be much of a problem since the bucket lids are a bit elevated to allow run off and once the plants grow a bit bigger they may divert water around the bucket lids even more. Since the res has a roof over it, I dont have to worry much about rain getting in the res. Check back each week and I will have updated pics. I am currently growing cucumbers, tomatoes, squash, peppers, and okra.

"safe tv" yep! Father Knows Best gets a lot of flak for being goody-2-shoes & paternalistic, but it did, very mildly, address some things that weren't even recognized as issues at the time. (This show came on late at night for a while, too!) In one episode, if I remember correctly, the gardener, Frank, won an essay contest when he wrote about what it meant to him to be a citizen of Springfield. The winning writer was to read his essay at the Fourth of July celebration... but when the town fathers found out that "Frank" was Hispanic, & that he talked with a very strong accent, they went nuts. Of course, Jim reasoned with them, spoke intelligently yet passionately about what it actually does mean to belong in Springfield, & Frank read his essay.

Agree. As I said, I'm from a small, rural area, and we are known for our extreme thrift. As such, it's not uncommon for a family to move in with grandma and grandpa to help them in their old age ... and to add on a family room to make space ... and then to stay on after the grandparents have passed away. Growing up, many of my friends lived in old farm houses that'd seen 3, 4, 5 additions. In fact, that's the type of house in which I grew up. My grandparents built in, then they "took in" the screened porch to enlarge the living room ... then my parents took it over; and they removed some walls and created a larger, open kitchen; eventually another enclosed porch and two more bedrooms were added ... then after we were out of the house, our parents redid the kitchen, keeping it the same size but making it nicer ... and now one of my brothers owns it and has put his own touches on it. Looking around yesterday, I could see that some families have added on gracefully -- while others haven't. I totally agree that some of today's houses are going to "fall out of favor" in future years. I tend to think it's the overly-done types that're going to be labeled "dated" in the future. I suspect Craftsman will stand the test of time, but -- oddly enough -- I didn't see even one of that style in all the neighborhoods I drove through yesterday.

I am another Le Creuset fan. I have a number of DO in different sizes, pots and skillets. I find they are so versatile and easy to clean. I can make deep fried foods, soups, roasts, breads, stews, roast a chicken all in one pot no need for a ton of different pots. I have a neurological condition in my hands and I am able to lift my 7 1/2 qt and my 9 1/2 qt fine when they are full any bigger and I would have problems. I have used them at high heat, low heat, all day in the oven and honestly never had an issue with the knobs. Mine are from the Le Crueset outlet too. I have a couple of regular cast iron skillets but find I prefer enameled cast iron over the non. Maybe I just am not that great at getting the non enameled seasoned right or something but I usually have problems cleaning them or food sticking so enameled works better for me. I honestly could not live with out my Le Crueset and yes they are pricey even with buying them from the outlet but for as long as they last and how versatile they I think they are worth every penny and someday hope to get even more pieces.