Deer aren't really deadly of course but don't try telling that to a horse. Anyone on four legs (or two) or wheels, or rocks, trees, etc is potentially horse eating. This is the key thing to keep in mind about horses. And the other thing to keep in mind is that when they are scared, they run. ;) Its also possible she ran because the deer ran, not because she was afraid of it, but because she figured if IT had reason to run maybe she should too. With lots of training and "miles" she'll get more confident and secure. My trainer's two lesson horses are "bomb proof". Nothing phases those boys. They're also 22 years old. Image is only 6, she's already very calm and level headed for a horse so young, in a couple years she'll be VERY calm and sensible. In a couple years I'd put my Mom on her for a trail ride, but not quiet yet. ;) I still bounce better if I come off. hehe

I separated pups from a potted Musa zebrina last fall. I have pictures of that process on my home computer but I'm not there right now. I'll see if I can add the "in process" pics later. On the other hand I have a pic of the potted zebrinas before (August 2004) and then just 11 months later (July 2005) which I've thumbnailed below. Click on the thumbnails for larger photos: Anyways, this is how I did it successfully. I laid the potted zebrina on its side and removed the pot. I then used my hands and cleared as much of the dirt from around the corm (the solid swollen underground bulb-shaped stem) to expose it. I then took a butcher knife and cut the pups off (in one slice) from the main "mom" plant by cutting slightly into the main corm. What I mean by that is make sure that you cut enough into the main "mom" corm so the pups have some to live off of. I then laid the newly separated plants on their sides with the freshly cut corms facing up and let them (the cut corm) dry overnight. That way it reduces the risk of that newly cut area doesn't rot. The next morning I replaned each into their own pot and they continued to thrive. Since then I planted the main plant into the ground in our front yard. -Todd

The middle pot is not too small but repotting is not long down the road. About getting soil off of roots. I use a gentle hose to wash the soil off. I also have used a tinny brush thing I have. After washing the soil off, I let them dry for a couple of days. If any roots are bruised , they would have callused over. This step really minimizes the rot that can come from damaged roots. I always get rid of soil that plants come in. It is good plant hygiene. I do not want other peoples bugs, and you don't want mine. sometimes I use this time to spray with a systemic pesticide. and fungicide before drying. Just now, I had a huge Aloe cameroni that had gotten blighted by my son leaving the door to my winter warm space open during a cold front and this plant half of it was dying from rot. I decanted it and the roots were a large mass of mostly rotted shizz. Helf the plant had dissociated itself from the dying half and was putting on a growth spurt. I did severe washing and cutting of the roots looking for ALL the dead and dying, but out of a large hydra headed plant O still have a nice large plant and five rosettes to re root. They are dosed with fungicide and bayer 3 in one. and drying eating to be potted. The rosettes are being misted and I am waiting to see root nubs before I plant them. One can be pretty rough with aloes as long as you let the damage callus by letting things dry up. They will grow more roots.

Julie, I had the same NFMart experience you did. I was completely overwhelmed by the store and DH ended up talking me into a soft Broyhill. DH..."Why are we here if were not going to buy anything?" After 4yrs the wood frame squeaks and it's so uncomfortable I'm always changing sitting positions. Have you been to Crowley Furniture in OP? I think they carry mid-line sofas but their service is excellent. The two sales people that helped me were decorators. It was great to bounce ideas off them, as well as get help with the multitude of fabric choices. If you're adventurous you could try T. Ormans. They advertise high end furniture at wholesale prices. Another overwhelming place for me. Tons of furniture spread out over a 70,000 sq ft building. I think you really have to know what you want before you go. They're only open Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays. I do think I'll visit NFM again. Next time I'll go during the week and be armed with a list of brands worthy to look at. I remember the back of the store had an area of higher quality furniture that wasn't prowled by hungry salespeople. Also, every time I try to find a dealer for one of the above mentioned brands it comes back as being carried by NFM. Jennifer