OK, on with the plant saga. I'm beginning to regret rescuing this plant. I found a spot to keep it in the pantry with a very nice east window and vinyl floor with no danger of anyone slipping. So, this morning I put it in there. A few hours later, I go in there to look for something and there is an odor. A doggie doo doo odor. I had also noticed this same odor out on my porch over the summer. It was only one or two days, but man, it stunk! So, thinking it had rotten soil, I repotted the thing but the soil was fairly dry all the way to the bottom. There were a lot of pretty fleshy roots filling the bottom of the pot going in circles. The dirt was not fetid in the least. Is it normal for the plant to stink? Is it the water droplets making it stink? The trunk? What? I love the look of this plant. But it's getting to be a bit much now. LOL. Anyone have any idea on the stink?

Yeah, don't feel bad...the "little darlings" ate mine last year. They even hung off my back patio roof by their feet to get at one! This year a woodchuck is eating my Phlox and purple coneflowers. I bought a have-a-heart trap and so far all I caught (yesterday) was a small skunk! I think the chuck is wise to the trap. Tom

(((Chubby_rat))) Okay...I'm coming public here -- I had lap band surgery 2.5 years ago. I'm about halfway to goal, not a poster child. And I'm now trying to get my butt in gear again. There are additional reasons that weight loss is recommended before lapband surgery -- a lot of fat settles around the liver and stomach area, and a good weight loss directly prior to surgery can make it easier for the surgeon to get in there, and also easier healing for you. After all, with laparoscopy, there's not a whole lot of room to maneuver. Your insurance will come through -- it's your doctor who is taking the cautious path. BTW, there are other doctors who are not as stringent about the pre-surgery weight loss. The nutritional visits are critical since your consumption will be so much less and it will be hard to get all the protein and vegetables in. The best part is that the lap band really, really does curtail hunger. But it's also not a panacea -- bad habits will return unless you're vigilant. And exercise is paramount. Again, I'm no poster child, but I know many bandsters who are. The band can be a PITA due to the saline fills required. Have you asked your doctor about other alternatives -- there are a couple of new ones available -- if the vertical sleeve had been available at the time I might have gotten that instead. If you'd like to email me offline, I'd be happy to share more information about the journey.

Also Laura if you are reading... I just went to my back garden area where I have some of of citrus, peppers and figs... do you remember that super tall fig I posted about on the fig forum? As I was approaching I noticed I didn't see the fig... confused, I look around... and realize it is quite windy... and hot... and remember I haven't been back here in a day or so.... and sprint back there to find the fig laying on top of 2 of my citrus!!! It had dried out a bit in the heat and the wind and fell on top of my pink sensation pummelo and australian finger lime... like fully on top. Somehow the citrus were holding it up and there was no damage... today is my lucky day. So yes I guess the fig pot is way too small, as you suggested lol.