nhardy- Have you actually used these brands of streptomycin? Are all brands of it basically the same thing? I'm just reluctant to give Bonide any more of my money after they wasted my money and time with their ÂFruit Tree Spray crap. When I'm already spraying the dormant Kocide, I'm thinking I wouldn't spray it unless signs appear. But if they do appear, I donÂt want to be caught with my pants down. (IÂve had that happen before have a new disease appear and have nothing to fight it with, wait for shipping, etc) One of my new trees is an Esopus Spitzenberg. Most are on 111 rootstock. IÂm also wondering when I can consider myself out of the woods if I donÂt see symptoms. My trees are at pedal fall so itÂs probably too late for preventative spraying anyway. I did find the Ferti-lome Fire Blight Spray at PlanetNatural.com (link below) which does have a decent Garden Watchdog rating, but I want to hear if this is what the people who do spray Strep spray. Thanks, -Glenn Here is a link that might be useful: Ferti-lome Fire Blight Spray at PlanetNatural.com

Well, I am just a yeasty, swelling bubble of complacence, because I have 'Rosette Delizy' on order and due to arrive in a few days. Of course, we did get a foot and a half of snow the day after Thanksgiving, but most of it has melted in the rain that's been falling off and on ever since. PLANTING roses? Well.... I ordered about thirty-five Teas and Chinas this year. I love them, they grow better than almost anything else in our garden, and most of them are easy to propagate, so I can pass them on further. Italy really needs to get to know these roses. The snow is very unusual for this time of year. I hope the weather will continue as it is now, chilly and wet, because we need a real winter after the last two sunny droughty nonwinters--this is a garden, not a beach. Lovely photos, Sherry! Thanks! Melissa

Pam, razor clam, our local clam, Pacific razor clam. They are quite good but we eat them often, not the same rare treat as lobster which are not at all native in our area :) Either cleaned, breaded and fried, or cleaned and ground and served as about 2" crispy patties with lemon and tartar sauce. Chowder of course. My sis in law has a house on the beach 25 minutes away, walk onto the beach from her house, clean them in her kitchen and no mess is ever brought home :) Here is a link that might be useful: Pacific razor clam

I wouldn't know where to apply direct pressure, Rob. Most instructions say to pinch the nostrils at the soft part of your nose, but my bleeds begin farther up. Bone doesn't squeeze very well. My doctor's office was closed today, but I'll see if I can get a referral tomorrow. I'll report back if and when the deed is done.