Diane, Here are a couple of gate ideas for you. A gate is a difficult thing to make as it needs support in order to avoid sagging. http://www.rusticrailings.com/images/galleries/stairs/Ryan%209%2011%2007%20027.jpg http://www.vividvalleyartgallery.com/images/180_twig-gate.JPG http://search.live.com/images/results.aspx?q=twig%2c+gate&FORM=BIRE#focal=896f5dcfc16934eeebe5f437d4d0659a&furl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vividvalleyartgallery.com%2Fimages%2F180_twig-gate.JPG http://www.winterbournewillows.com/pics-s/willow-gate-15-200h.jpg http://www.simply-solar.co.uk/assets/images/autogen/a_SimSol039a_1.jpg http://www.naturalfencing.com/images/additional1/196.jpg http://www.peaktraditionalfencing.co.uk/Photos/640Pics/Pic30.jpg http://www.sylvanskills.co.uk/images/moon_gate.jpg Diane, I have a few brugmansia opening now, but not prolificly. Yesterday's quick wind and rain storm took a lot of the blooms off. I'll see if I can get a shot soon. I wonder how Glaswegian's variegated brug is doing. Any pictures for us, Glaswegian? John

Thanks for all the positive feedback, it's nice to hear. :) Well, I have now started in on the pressure canning. I did get 12 pts. of Katie's Roasted Tomato and Garlic soup last week and 8 pts. of beef stock yesterday. Today/tomorrow it's chicken stock and chicken soup, then next week apple sauce and apple pie filling. It's kind of a relief to be away from the tomatoes for a while. :) And I am getting more comfortable with the pressure canning. I got the Presto 23 Qt. and the optional weighted pressure regulator. My gauge seems pretty darn accurate so far, but I love the ease and consistency of using the weights; I'm glad I spent the extra $20. I probably will can more tomatoes next year - I'm just a glutton for punishment! :) But I will probably spread it out and not do it all 6 or 7 days in a row. Since I don't really grow enough tomatoes to can, I buy them when I want to can. There's a great organic farm the other side of town (Petaluma, CA) that has been selling tomatoes $1/lb or $12/crate; I've gotten over 20 lbs. in a crate! They also sell the overripe tomatoes as "sauce tomatoes" for $5/box (about 20 lbs). So it's very reasonable cost-wise. I don't get the satisfaction some of you do by starting from seed, but it's still pretty darn satisfying. And as several of you have commented, it sure is all pretty to look at too. We're just wrapping up a kitchen remodel; my husband is about to start on the shelves in our small walk-in pantry. I can't wait to see all my jars and jars on my new shelves!!!! Kathy

I do not think it will start a war...just maybe dirty looks and cold shoulders. The funny thing is that the kids go to private school and the family walks past our house every Sunday to attend church services. You would think they are decent people.....but I feel like that is all a mask for the demons they are raising! On the 4th our town had fireworks at the park we usually go to. We walked since it is only a few blocks. On the way home they were in front of us walking. The bigger troublemaker of the two boys stopped to tie his shoe (I think so we would catch up). Well we passed the boys and their father (their mom did not go to fireworks-she does not work or anything?). When we got up to the street to cross there was lots of cars leaving the fireworks. They all rushed out in front of cars and crossed so we ended up behind them again. Well when we passed their house (it was almost 10pm) the dad had gone inside and left the two boys outside hanging out in the driveway! It was like he was asking for trouble.

Happy to report that yesterday I drove the Jeep for the first time. Easy peasy. Going out again for the next three days - grocery shopping at Walmart, two dr's appts. the next two days. A friend is going w/me today, but after today, I'll be solo flying. Hip is soooooo much better, but the old back is the problem, which never gets better - just worse. Still thanking God for my quick healing - just three months ago, I didn't think I'd be this far along. Thanks for y'all's prayers and concerns. Keep up the good work, mosaicists - you're still the best.