Debbie, Do you have a room that stays cooler in winter? I'm in Milwaukee and have had very good luck with my intermediate cym, outside from mid-May through October and then in a very cool room in the Winter. It is a cool growing cym. This room is only heated in the evening when we are in it. During the day the temps run from 55-60 (heat does come in through the open doorway to the kitchen) but probably even cooler in the corner with the plant. That corner is the East/NorthEast corner of the room and has windows on both walls. There are cool growing cyms and warmer growing cyms. Which do you want to grow? I also have a cym golden elf, which is considered a mini although it's not that small and is a warmer growing plant. It sits on my dresser, right in front of a southwest window in Winter and held up very well this Winter and has now put out 7 new growths. Soon, it will go outside too, when all of my plants go out. These are probably my favorite orchids, although they are larger and so I am very limited with how many I can have. But when they bloom.....what a show! That intermediate bloomed from Thanksgiving until after New Years. Eight huge spikes! Susan

Yes, I certainly do as I have a new G85. I really hate disinformation, so let me help you with at least this model. First of all if you want to get the accurate history of BCS and Grillo call up Earth Tools and speak to Joel, the owner, who is 37 and has been in his family business since he was 12. Briefly Grillo has been making walk-behind tillers from their beginnings where BCS was making sickle mowers. BCS decided that they wanted to explore expanding their line diversty and contacted Grillo, who was equally interested in adding sickle mowers to their line. They actually partnered up for a period, but eventually went their own ways but still have friendly ties with each other. Another words, Grillo was never made by BCS, ever, nor was it owned by BCS. They began as separate companies from the "get go" and are still separate except for the instance mentioned above. Grillo has been making fine tillers for a very long time and they basically have not changed for years. However, BCS is predicting to have some majour revamping of their tiller lines soon. They have already discontinued their 710 model that was replaced by the 712. The Grillo tillers in this country are powered by different power plants than in the European market. I opted for the Vanguard/Briggs & Stratton 7.5hp engine. It is actually made in Japan by Mitsubishi and is a dead ringer for a Honda. The pull start even feels the same nas a Honda. From what I have heard and read, it is just about as good and has the same longevity as the Honda, but it is at least $400 less expensive. The only reason that you might opt for the 9hp Honda rather than the 7.5hp Vanguard is if you might want to use some of the PTO accessories. Also, you will find that the Grillo is less expensive than similar BCS tillers. Finally, the Grillo is very safe as well. I have no idea who told someone that the tiller tines rotate backwards when the Grillo is in reverse. You can't even engage the tiller tines whilst the tractor is running in reverse! As for the G*d awful green, I think that is a matter of taste. I happen to really like that bright neon green. It isn't the same old boring RED garden shop junk and it certainly doesn't look it. I decided to get the Grillo after my old 26 year old Econo-Horse Troy-Built died. I would recommend a Grillo to anyone and everyone that could see fit to afford one. I really started out to purchase a BCS, but thanks to the honesty and integrity of Joel DuFour, at Earth Tools, I am so glad to have found the Grillo line. I hope this has helped and developed a more accurate representation of Grillo tractors and impliments, as well as any confusion regarding BCS as well. Regards

I shop at multiple stores. Pay day is every other Friday so I that is when I go to Wal-Mart or Smith's (Kroger owned). Every 2 weeks we also get coffee beans at the little mom and pop shop. We go to Sprouts every 2 weeks as their ads overlap on Wednesdays. This is actually getting less frequent as they have not put the bulk things on sale that I want the most as frequently (steel cut oats and short grain brown rice). The bread outlet is a once a month trip. Other stores such as Keller's (for meat), Trader Joe's, the international markets, Vitamin Cottage (for other bulk items), I alternate months. Some things I get through Amazon's subscribe and save and that can vary in frequency. Eggs are mostly from my hens and many of our vegetables come from our garden. Some of the variety in shopping is about the money savings but it is more along the lines of trying to match the quality to a certain price point and meeting my needs of acquiring a diversity of ingredients. Arborio rice at TJ's, quality meat at Keller's, red lentils in bulk at Vitamin Cottage, etc. Part of it is me trying to maintain a well stocked pantry because my moods are fickle and if the pantry has a variety of things, I can cook according to my mood. Pre-planned menus never, ever work for me.

I have one. She is very, very laid back. Almost like a cat. From what I've read they will often have a touchy spot on their back, in front of their tail. She does for sure. I'm sure there are plenty of Bichons that like to be picked up but she isn't one of those because of her back. I have her groomed once every two or three months and hardly ever have to brush her. She doesn't shed at all, which I love and luckily, she doesn't mat either. In fact, her hair is rather thin compared to my toy poodle. She is pink skinned and does sunburn in the summer. She was difficult to house train, omg, she was stubborn but she finally learned completely after a couple years. I read that Bichons are commonly hard to house train. Don't know why, they just are. As with any dog, there are those Bichons who defy the stereo type. I would suggest they go to a Bichon Frise web site or forum for the best view of the breed.