Stay calm, Marsha, I didn't mean to imply you're on the DG marketing team, or anything, but although their section on use of material is much less lengthy than the one in the new iVillage TOS (as are their sections in pretty much ALL of their TOS, which is about the size of GW's OLD TOS when Spike still owned it), it DOES have the same gist to it, i.e., that they're saying they can use whatever you contribute however they see fit. It's kind of like some magazines that accept a lot of submissions from readers... For instance, I subscribe to "Birds & Blooms," and I LOVE the magazine... Each issue is FULL of plenty of beautiful pictures and occasionally a useful article or two, as well :) MANY of those photographs happen to be user-contributed, however, through various sections of the magazine where they tell you how you can contribute and in most cases they say something to the effect that "photographs cannot be returned and become the property of 'Birds & Blooms,'" thereby getting a lot of content for free -- or they sometimes will say they'll send you a free "suncatcher" or something similar if they use your photograph (token payment). That sort of thing is quite common among smaller PAPER publications. The INTERNET, on the other hand, is still a rather young and evolving area, and I think this idea of forums laying claim to perpetual use of all material posted on them might be a growing trend, since I now see it on both Dave's Garden and in the new iVillage TOS... Prior to this development, the internet, still being very much a sort of "wild west editorial environment," has had forums like these with sometimes experts and even famous people posting on them as just "regular Joes," sharing their knowledge and expertise, perhaps in some cases even relieved to finally be able to have something resembling "public conversations" without having to worry about being swamped by fans, and so forth, or repeatedly asked for free professional advice because people know they actually happen to be Dr. Phil, or Steven King, or whoever. And NO, I'm definitely NOT one of THOSE people... At one point a few years ago, I had a bit of "local celebrity" status as a weekly newspaper editor, but the biggest thing I've ever published was the cover story for a state-wide public policy journal read by all the lawmakers and public officials in SC... And I'm not aware of any such folks on the Carolina Gardening forum, but I DO know of at least one Professor of Environmental Sciences at the University of Vermont who is a sometimes (used to be regular) poster on the Ponds forum and wrote that forum's FAQs. He's been featured in pond programs on national programs on Public Television, too. I seriously doubt HE'D appreciate having HIS contributions -- many of which he doubtless gained through years of research and study both in his pond and at the university -- appropriated by iVillage to use for THEIR advertising, without attribution, for free. As for the photographs, Yeah, I've done a bit of "professional photography." I shot many of the photographs for several of the papers I worked for, and I also shot weddings for a while, and got some really good shots... And today, with digital cameras and the ability to see what you have and keep shooting until you get what you want, I can get even better shots (My theory on professional photographers has long been that the biggest difference between most pros and serious amateurs was how many shots they could afford to take)... So nowadays, I'm getting some garden shots I think are of publishable quality, although since I lost my paper I'm too blocked to get up the gumption to go back to free-lancing again... BUT I'd still like that option. And I'm sure I'm not the only one... If you want another example, go to the Ponds and Aquatic Plants forum, click on the Gallery and look for the Fall Ponds Photos (10-17, I believe), posted by Cliff_and_Joann. That lady (Joann seems to do all the posting) takes GREAT pictures and has some of the most beautiful ponds with some of the most beautiful koi I've ever seen... and she usually posts them fairly large. She doesn't deserve to have those "appropriated." No, Dianne. I won't leave (although they may kick me off with all I've been writing, lol). But I may be more selective with what I post and shy away from some of the more humorous or creative posts, or anything I think might look "attractive" to someone looking for something to "appropriate." And Marsha, I think your efforts on this front are admirable, so please don't think I was slamming you. I'm not really all that concerned about the cookies and partners and ads and so forth. I just don't like them laying claim to all our "intellectual property." By the way, it's not just me. I think all of YOU have a lot of "intellectual property" to protect, as well, even if you don't. Take care, Jeff

I have been doing with 4 to 5 hours of DIRECT sun. Direct sun is not the only source of light for plants for their photosynthesis ; Indirect and defused light also counts. Plants can get quite a bit of light even in a day with overcast skies, as much as under grow lights. In my case, my tomato plants in different location get 4 to 5 hours of direct sun BUT with 14 to 16 hours of day length from may to September they get plenty of indirect light. Shade is not equal darkness. BTW: I have gardened In North Fulton/Alpharetta for few years with about 6 hours of direct light. Then again with a lot of defused light. As mentioned, if your temperatures are high ( like in North Atlanta in 90s and over 100F for days ) actually 6 hour sun is better than say 12 hours.

Oh yes! I have heard about 'pie suppers', except in my case, it was 'box lunch or supper' that contained a pie. The last one I attended was in the 1950's. It was a community fund raiser held at a country school. The box lunches were acutioned, one at a time, and went to the highest bidder. The young men did their best dectective work to try to discover which box belonged to their favorite girl so they could concentrate their bids on that box. Well, they got it right only about 50% of the time. The gals could hardly contain themselves during the bidding because they knew their own box and several other as well. After the bidding was finished, the gals that belonged to the boxes walked to the winning bidder revealing who he had won to dine with. It was supposed to all in good fun, but jealousy could rear its ugly head and spoil the atmosphere. Maybe this is why it lost popularity, or becasue small, close knit, isolated, communities are a thing of the past.

We're getting ready for our 21 year-old granddaughter's visit. She flies in Saturday morning and we'll pick her up in Orlando. She's just a sweetheart and I haven't had her all by herself since they moved from Florida when she was 3 or 4. Guest room is ready and just need to do some last minute clean-up. I'm so excited!! She's a great photographer and takes all the pictures for her college yearbook. She made me a Mother's Day card which was a collage of nature photos she'd taken. She's going to give me lessons while she's here so I can post pictures. Paid bills, made out a grocery list and a list for Wal-Mart. Did the ususal daily stuff--pick up, make the bed, etc. Dinner tonight is a chicken breast that's in the crockpot right now with a tarragon mustard sauce. We'll have that with rice and DH's favorite--peas. Still have picnic cake. I should have brought it to the KT!!