I thought you might be slipping the 'squirrel chimney cave shrimp' and the 'oval pigtoe' into the list just to test us, but I looked them up and they are real :~) Seriously, it's easy for people to be upset about the loss of something beautiful or large but it is the loss of small, normally unnoticed creatures that signal early bio-changes. I appreciate you posting this list and increasing everyone's awareness. The loss of any species can have a terrible effect up the food chain.

I lay down a good layer of newspapers (about 16 sheets) and overlapped at the edges, and then put wood mulch (or dried weeds, or other fairly dry mulch) down. I've found over the years that if I just put down loose mulch the tougher weeds that send out tendrils still come up through my mulch and try to invade the garden beds. The ground ivy, common mallow, and this certain awful weed grass (name unknown) can survive a long time under everything. I use strips of old carpet as well on some of the other areas of the garden. I really don't notice the carpet, except that it's nice to walk on and gets you off the mud. I flip it over every once in a while because the ground ivy and grasses try to colonize there as well.

Fran, I have that plant, you should have told me that you wanted it. I have a small baby and seeds. I think I sent some to Tracy last week. Tracy, did I send you them?? Becky, The soil that was in the photo was just very dry and I screened with a 1/2 inch screen to get out any large rocks. The pups are almost seven months old and they are brothers. They do run through my flower beds and have created a few large messes for me. I just got an electric fence to keep them out even though they are a lot better now! As far as getting them to sit for pictures. I was home from work for 3 months when I brought them home. I did what I call puppy school everyday, they are very smart and will work for food. LOL Shirley, If I had thirty beds, my beds wouldn't look like they do. I garden on about 13,000 square feet, some town owned but it is pretty much my street. I am the only house so they said I could do as I please. Denise and Becky, I have seeds for the champion pink campanula. I did a bit of research and they can be tricky to germinate but I will send you some if you want them. I have a few of the purple color too! Sassy, Thank you for the compliment on my beds! I do try. Where's Pat, Carmine and Annie???? Daniel, welcome to the petal pushers. I don't blow things up like Tracy but I have been known to hog tie someone"Tracy> in the basement. Kat, I hope your shoulder is feeling better. here's a few pics of my gardens Becky tobucket.com/albums/vv319/gardenpics09/garden012.jpg" border="0" alt="long hot of street garden"> That's it for now. If I missed you...helllllooooo Have a great night Lisa

Annie, I haven't read all the posts so maybe this was discussed but with glasses and keys you need to pick a spot to leave them and never deviate. I go through this with my DH to the point that he thinks I am moving things. Ok, I admit to hanging up clothes etc. but not keys or glasses! Sometimes I might leave my sunglasses in a coat pocket. They are expensive prescription glasses so my heart drops when I go for them and they are not where I leave them. But, that, my pocketbook or the table that I always leave my pocketbook on are the only places they would be. Find a "command station" that is convenient for you. It works!