Bkay remove all the soil. I use a hose with a nozzle to blast away any remaining soil on the root ball when I need to result to this tactic. I'm nearly 100% certain it is a salt/mineral issue since you mentioned the terra cotta pots disintegrate which is what the salts will do. I had the same probleam with non plastic pots until I started to use glazed pots. Given Texas is primarily desert no doubt your water is quite alkaline due to limestone deposits or other similar minerals in the ground which your water percolates through. The easiest remedy is to repot your plants including this one and removing all soil from the root ball and pot into a good soil mix. Not sure what part of Texas your in but you might want to consider buying a rain bucket and using that water for your hostas. Or purchase a water filter which you can attach to your outside faucet to remove the salts. Heavy fertilization using a chemical fertilizer such as Miracle-Gro or Peters can also cause similar damage overtime as well. Easiest solution would be the filter which you can get at any big box store. Scott

Here is what I am making today for a group ornament project: Angel Ornaments Use the clear glass ball ornaments - I use the 3" balls and they seem to work real well. Take the little cap with wire loop for the hanger off. Cut a white feather to fit inside the ornament so that it will stand up in the middle when you put the top back on. Sprinkle a small amount (maybe 1/4 to 1/2 tsp.) of gold glitter in the ornament. Put the top back on. I tie a pretty gold bow around the top of the ornament and attach a piece of card stock with the angel feather poem on it. Sometimes I make the ornaments using pastel colored feathers and I match the glitter to the feather, or I use the angel dust - very fine iridescent glitter. They look pretty also. ...in answer to a question about what kind of feathers were used...The feathers are inexpensive. I think there are about 100 of them in a package for maybe $1.99?? They are very flat in the package when you buy them. All I do is clip the very top off at the point where the feather starts sticking together and is not as fluffy. Then I cut the bottom of the feather off also, at the point where the feather just fits into the ornament and the "stem" of the feather is still stand up in the opening of the ornament when you put the brass top back on. This makes the feather stand up in the middle of the ornament. They sell the feathers in packages of all white or pastel colors. I use both when making the ornaments. If you don't have any boxes to put the ornie in you can use a clear bag add a ribbon to the top of the bag and attached the card to that. General Poem: This is an angel feather sent from God above, to serve as a reminder of His precious love. It's from your guardian angel that God assigned to you, and fell out in her struggles as she protected you. Each time you almost stumble, each time you nearly fall, Thank God and all his angels for answering your call. Poem for Loss of Loved Ones: No one has the answers Of lifeÂs mysteries and pain Except our God in heaven Where love and goodness reign And so we gain our comfort Knowing simply this: Our brother walks with angels And shares the saviorÂs kiss Poem for Cancer: This little Christmas ornament was made especially for you the feather is from an angel who helped you battle through. The ribbon is a symbol that life has become good again. And the glitter, it fell as the angel took flight To bring hope to other women and men So hang this upon your trees branches To remind yourself as you look up high To say thanks to your guardian angel Who stayed near you and helped you get by. Here is the list of cancer colors... Orange- Leukemia. Red- Lymphoma. Pink- Breast Cancer. Lavendar- All Cancer Survivors. Gynecological Cancer. Purple- Pancreatic Cancer. Burgundy- Multiple Myeloma. Light Blue- Prostate Cancer. Teal- Ovarian Cancer. Green- Organ & Tissue Donor. Gold- Childhood Cancer. Pearl- Lung Cancer. Gray- Brain Cancer. Brown- Colorectal Cancer. Black- Melanoma White- Retinoblastoma. Red & White- Head and Neck Cancer. Orchid- Testicular Cancer.

Meant to say Wanted, am so so Sorry!! Dianesc

You'll be a busy lady! Have you tried your local public library? Look for books by Erica Fortgens. The Amazon link below is to one of her books that has an angel pattern in it... Also, here are a couple links to kits that have an angel. Embroidery on Paper kit - Christmas Fun Angel Card Kit Here is a link that might be useful: Erica Fortgens' book Creative Embroidery on Paper