pls8xx and gardenga148: I completely concur that the project should be broken down into 2 broad areas: (1) Land use/land planning for the overall 70 acres (2) Conversion of a small part to residential use I am still contemplating #1. However, I do believe I have settled on an aspect of overall land use. I believe, basically along or near the nature path, an area of sufficient width and composition to benefit bobwhite quail usage. In the old days, farms had small fields with lots of overgrown fence rows. That habitat was ideal for bobwhite quail. I believe I want to lay out the farm along those parameters (knowing that certain desires/goals compete with others). My research, consultation with my pastor (former horitculturalist and quail plantation manager) and personal experience are leading me to a strip approximately 15 feet wide of lespedeza intermixed with something like switchgrass or one of the other native grasses. I believe I want to combine the "habitat utility" of those or similar plants with a stepped (height and width) variety of native flowering, perennial plants, choosing a variety which is consistent with the wildlife management goal and visual appeal goal. There is a substantial likelihood that I would also break up the 28 acre agricultural field with a couple of cross corridors of similar plant material. These are among the types of things I am struggling with now. Comment on layout, continuity, plant selection and the like are what I am seeking. As each of you have said, this is a huge, long-term project and I seek input from others who's experience may bear on the layout, design and plant selection. I understand there are many, many different "right" and "wrong" ways. However, respecting the opinions of those participating in these forums, I would be interesting in reading your opinions and views and why you have those opinions and views. With respect to what I hoped to achieve with the pond. I like water. I like the ocean, rivers (large and small), lakes and ponds. I like to fish ocassionally but what I REALLY like is to feed the fish. It is very soothing. The pond can be an attractive focal point to the landscape. It can provide the "mirrored" images of the foliage surrounding it. And, if need be, it can provide for some irrigation. I have always liked looking out across the water, of sitting on my porch and looking across the water. I liked the idea of driving down the driveway into the house site and looking at the house across the pond as well. Back to another aspect of the overall land use. We initially intended to put the entire property into a pecan orchard, for both looks and future revenue. However, knowing there are always bad years along with good years with any crop, we decided that was not very smart. We also became interested in muscadine vineyards and fruit production. So, we will probably incorporate a bit of the pecan orchard, vineyard and fruit orchard. We want approximately 1/2 to 1 acre vegetable garden site. I believe we also want a "gardening" experimentation site of approximately 1/2 to 1 acre as well as a small greenhouse. I strongly expect we will leave the remaining oak ridge in mostly an as-is condition for the wildlife usage, but, with some modification to make in more friendly to the turkey and quail. I seem to have rambled a bit and apologize. But, with such a large overall project, it is difficult to include all the desires and keep them organized and coordinated. nandina, with respect to the observation of native flora, existing but possibly hidden features, I will try to do some walking and photographing this weekend. One focal point at the northern most point of the property where you see Potential Well Location, there was an old homeplace there. The shallow well still remains there. I expect to clean that well out and hang a usable well bucket there. An arbor is a possibility there. It could be purely decorative or be a "natural" appearing arbor with cultured muscadine vines so one could sit on a draw a bucket of cool well water, pick a few grapes, sit on a wooden bench, eat the grapes and look out over the landscape. One feature I didn't know about until buying and spending time on the farm is that for whatever reason, it attacts substantially more summer and fall breezes than most areas in the surrounding countryside. Thank you all again for your input and I look forward to more comments, critiques and suggestions. I will attach images of some of the wildflowers or weeds growing in the cut-over areas now.

I'd love to visit a nursery or 2 but cooler weather would be better for me. Crowleys would be a great place, east of I75 in Sarasota. I think the reason your message was rejected was the name of the "Top" named nursery. Something they did a long while back put them on the list. Which reminds me of "being sent to Disney", lol. Have you read about that? In the past if you were "bad" when you logged in you were re-directed to the Disney site. How funny is that? A time-out. So anyway--don't give up your idea. Even in only a few people are interested. It would be fun. Denise

Cam ~ You should still get the vaccine even if you are not certain you've had Chicken Pox. Per the CDC, approx 99.5% of all U.S. citizens over age 40 have had Chicken Pox at some point in their life. Even if you haven't, the vaccine will not hurt you. Also, if you've already had Shingles, you should still get the vaccine because it can help prevent future outbreaks. Rose ~ I would definitely speak with your doctor first. Per Merck, the manufacturer, "ZOSTAVAX is a LIVE, attenuated varicella-zoster vaccine and administration may result in disseminated disease in individuals who are immunosuppressed or immunodeficient. Do not administer ZOSTAVAX to immunosuppressed or immunodeficient individuals including those with a history of primary or acquired immunodeficiency states, leukemia, lymphoma or other malignant neoplasms affecting the bone marrow or lymphatic system, AIDS or other clinical manifestations of infection with human immunodeficiency viruses, and those on immunosuppressive therapy." In other words, it could be very dangerous to give to someone in one of those groups. Here's a link to their info: MERCK ZOSTAVAX INFO Hope this is helpful. Blessings, ~Addy~ Here is a link that might be useful: Q&A About Shingles and Vaccine

oceanna: Thank you for passing along the related thread. Poor little baby! I was very lucky with all my three babies that they did not have these problems--probably because I breastfed and delayed introduction on solids, esp. dairy which is where my problems were. I was able to clear my food allergies through NAET, when about 5-years ago I suddenly became sensitized to many foods, and today eat whatever I want. I think I cleared my DD also through NAET, but with environmental/chemical sensitivies we have not had much success. We've been dealing with this for over 2-years now and have tried many different things so while my goal is still to uncover and correct the root of the problem we found it was like layers of an onion, you peel one away only to find another. It's been a long road for DD and she gets very discouraged, esp. when I alter her diet too much and with little improvement. My DH and I did look at the food intolerances for the different races and blood types and found it quite fascinating, though going that route would be a last resort which we could possibly try over the summer. Right now she is on homeopathy, which aggravates her condition in the short term, so I don't want to change too many things at once. With my DD she has more scabby patches from scratching in various stages of healing. Probably the worst trigger though are her shin guards--she plays competitive soccer and is in spring season. I do not have the heart to pull her out so can relate to the comments about exercise induced asthma. In fact, DD has a few girls on her team with that condition and always tells me she is glad she only has eczema as at least she does not have to sit out due to an asthmatic attack in a game. On the bedding front, I was able to find some bedding in both Pottery Barn Kids and PB teen which is Oeko-tex certified plus some all cotton duvet inserts (both summer and winter weights) from Cuddledown, depending on if she prefers a duvet or quilt. I plan to show it to her this weekend and am crossing my fingers she'll find something she likes.