Oh yes, it is red clay. Rock hard, concrete-like red clay to be exact. When I first started the garden 3 years ago, I tilled down about 12 inches into the clay (took several days)and added some pine bark fines (soil conditioner) and a lot of compost to try and fluff up the soil some. But when you consider in planting deep, there was only a couple of inches of "soft soil" under the plants. Believe me when I way it sounds easier than it was. But it was worth it. Now the worms have taken over and helped to aerate the soil and it is not too bad now. One good thing about clay though is that it holds water and nutrients very well. You have to keep a good layer of mulch to keep the top layer from crusting though. On the reverse, compaction can be a big problem, which is why my planting beds are mounded so that I don't walk in them. Maybe one year I can talk the wife into letting me make some good raised beds. jj

Smart phone? Nope, I still have the same old stupid phone, and I've never learned how to text and the phone is seldom charged anyway, Elery and I currnetly have 6,000 minutes to use on the account, LOL. However, Elery has an iPod that I bought him for a Christmas/birthday gift, so I'm going to check out that link. When I get home tonight, because the office computer hits the "Sonic Wall" and won't let me access it, of course. Annie

I have not yet given up my dumb phone for a smart phone, because I would miss my keyboard with actual keys! I'm a pretty fast texter, thanks to my kids. They never call or want to be called, but keep in touch constantly by text. Sometimes I will be texting back and forth with my husband, when he will call me. Then I remember that sometimes calling IS faster. For my best friends, one is almost completely deaf : texting is a godsend. My other best friend can't talk; can only whisper due to paralyzed vocal chords. Ditto about the godsend. Texting means a lot of people can communicate who were locked away before.

I'm sorry, but it appears that member hasn't posted here since April 2009, and probably won't see this post.