Zone are meaningless when it comes to summer and winter temperature. I give you and example: both Atlanta, Ga and Portland,Or are in zone 8. I live in Atlanta area and have relatives in beaverton/Portlan. I was there this past June. It was still cool crop temperatures. And I have been monitoring the weather over there, still cool country; While here in Atlanta area days highs have been mid to upper 90s for the last 4 weeks. I have been harvesting cukes, zukes for 6 weeks now. Tomatoes are at peak, peppers have fruits. ... So, when it comes to gardening, not all places with the same zone number are the same. Zones are just indication of most probable last and first frost dates.

Great pumpkin ideas! I'm like some though, not ready to let go of summer just yet. As the days are a tish bit darker when I get up, it'll be here fast enough for me. There was another idea for pumpkins I saw recently which could be done with the funkins pumpkins. Cut off the top just a bit, a little bit bigger than a 50 cent piece. Stuff some spanish moss inside so it is overflowing a bit. Put a battery operated flickering tea light on top of the moss and cover the white base of it with the moss. You could also paint the white base orange or brownish to match the moss. Trust me, when Fall does come, I certainly plan on having some fun when it comes to decorating. Sal

Alison, that was a VERY creative and clever theme! My favorite is also 'Why? Because you wanted one and 2 are okay." I personally have (ahem) 5 wood and 2 plastic. And yes, the first step to recovery is to admit you have a problem. Just make sure you're not cutting alone too often or people will start talking. I too love The Tassajara Bread Book! What a great box!! Enjoy, Marcia p.s. I have yet to get around to writing you a Thank You note. I can't seem to find the time when I'm home. I still have a White Elephant gift I have to send someone too. Shame on me. Please don't hate me. p.p.s. All four cats are CRAZY about those catnip treats. I sure wish I could find them here! Yum-MEE! You are a Godess to my kitties.

Thanks, all! I suspect we're just asking too much due to the constant heat over the last two weeks. We've had a bit of a break this weekend, and last night the system in question did reach 68F by early morning. I'll also revisit having the blower on 24/7, lest the coil be thwarted from draining, veesubotee. I should put the fans on 'auto' overnight? (Prefer to avoid the "on", "off", "on", "off" overnight, but if that's how the room gets and stay cool at night, we'll do it.) Do y'all really think this is an vast waste of energy? When the temp in the house is 68-70F in the morning, the A/C doesn't kick in until about 5 p.m. It then maintains at 77F until it's set to start back down to 68F at 6:30 p.m. Only the blower fans are running during the day to circulate the air in a sealed house. I'm asthmatic and sleep better in a cool, dry room. I *could* just install a casement unit in the MBR. Would that save a lot of electricity? Our furnaces are two-stage, but that's moot when the A/C isn't running and just the fans are on constantly. Does that even apply outside of the heating season?