You can't do anything about the changes in volume levels as programming content changes. The station engineer has some control, but he would be fiddling with the controls all the time. It seems that the problem is with the advertizers. They do not adhere to modulation standards and like it when their recording studios pump up the volume on their clips - in other words - it was recorded that way! Here in the States, we sometimes have a little recourse by complaning to the station manager and sending a copy to the company whose ads are offenders. People have threatened to boycott stations ccarrying such obnoxious ads. It also helps to complain to the licensing authority. If you still get no attention, it may help to tip off an investigative newspaper reporter. Just make sure that the TV station and newspaper are not owned by the same company. In the inttrim, there is a work-around and that is to hit the mute button on your remote when an ad comes on, then hit mute again when you desire to resume watching. This saves wear on the volume control knob. [However, most volume controls on modern TV sets these days are digital and do not have a physical potentiometer to wear out.] Another solution is to record the show and play it back later. Use the fast forward to skip over the ads. You'll find that you wiil save a lot of time.

We always called them Horse Apples but learned the 'proper' name was Bois D'arc. I usedto make the sliced, baked flower type decorations but found out fast you wanna' wear gloves and NOT use a knife you're not willing to toss! They are native to TX, AR, OK & MO. I read that years ago in Central TX, you couldn't get a home loan unless the 'piers' in a pier & beam house (one with a crawl space) were of Bois D'arc wood because it was known to be rot resistant & repelled termites. Past generations used it for fence posts because it was said to last 100 years. Suzi

I have a collection in a galvanized trough too on my potting bench. I'm unable to pass them by either as long as the price is right (free or up to $1). I thought I'd put a few of them to a different use, especially that shovel that has no handle. It's perfect. I use old rake heads to hang my tools on.

I'm all for culling... I do it myself - I used to throw poor achievers down the bank at the back of the house where they could become part of the forest floor. Nowadays, I pass any half decent plants to a friend to see if her nutritious soil can breathe additional life back into them. Only one comment... I've heard a few say that Invincible is far from it, when grown in the ground (slugs love it, gets ratty soon). I can't speak to that, but I've had mine in pots for a dozen years or so, and they've been really reliable performers. This year wasn't their greatest since they were hit by hail on three separate occasions early in the season, yet they still produced enough new leaves to look respectable. If you have a pot available,you could try a new environment! It's much harder work for the slugs! Alternatively, if you do toss it, might I suggest Irish Luck from the same family (if you don't already have it). I haven't had mine long (not through lack of trying or wanting), but it seems to have a better reputation than Invincible. Anyhow, I don't mean to throw you off your decisive course of action. There's too many fabulous plants out there to be nursing, or simply accommodating those that don't bring you sufficient satisfaction. BC