thank you SusanC....may I ask, tho... is there another very close to that but without the 'red'?.... she didn't mention that as part of the description and I'm pretty sure that's something she wouldn't have missed.... and I don't see red in the stems of the leaves in the pics, but that could just be my eyes.....!!!.... if you're sure, tho, I'll shaddap and just offer my thanks!!.....

I dont have a burros tail but when I re-potted my string of pearls it was 2 feet long at least. I laid the pot down on its side, parting the strands on the bottom so the pot wouldn't squish them and then pulled the pot off. Then I took most of the dirt off the roots with a watering can and filled the new pot 1/2 full and used the bag as a sling to lift the plant and tip it into the new pot so I wouldnt be handling the leaves much. Then just parted the strands gently and filled in the rest of the soil. I only lost a handful of leaves and it didnt effect the appearance at all.

This is getting to be my mantra, but, has your mother seen her doctor lately? Urinary tract infections can really knock the elderly on their pins - erratic behavior, mood swings, hallucinations, drops in blood pressure (resulting in fainting or falls), dehydration, death. And a short course of antibiotics takes care of it. That was the first course we took with my mother after my dad passed away in 2001 - any test we and her doctor could think of ruling out a brain tumor or anything organic - but we really knew she was taking her first steps along the journey of Alzheimer's type dementia. I was her primary caregiver until she went into a nursing home six months ago. My folks both had wills and revocable living trusts; took great pains to have all their additional documents - living wills, DNR's, etc. in order so the only thing I had to do with mom was get my name added to her checking account and have my brother's and my names put on the safety deposit box. A conservatorship is something to consider if and when your mother can no longer handle her own affairs. That always seems draconian to me, but a necessary step when someone is intractable and totally unaware or unwilling to admit there's a problem. It's too easy to say go see a lawyer specializing in Elder Law because you can't force your mother into making arrangements she has no interest in making. But it seems that, instinctively, you know something is going to have to be done although it's extremely difficult to know exactly what that "something" is until a critical event occurs - like being forcibly removed from a place of business, a total breakdown, having to be hospitalized for a mental evaluation, etc. It would be ideal if you could catch your mother in an agreeable mode, try and discuss some of your concerns. Failing that, the next best step would be to get your siblings, daughter, your mother's sisters and anyone in the family who would even be remotely concerned with your mother's welfare on the same page. If one person is designated as "in charge" (usually because most people are relieved to let someone else take charge), make sure everyone agrees that whatever is done is the right thing. The hardest thing right now is that you're pretty much stuck between thinking about getting ducks lined up for when they're needed, wanting to help and do what's appropriate for your mother with her blessing and being backed into a corner if the situation gets out of control. It's when you're backed into a corner you might get a result no one anticipated - like your mother being placed in a less than ideal, space available facility.

Hi Kids, I'm glad you all think this is as interesting as I do. Yes, gardnerwannabe, you have the correct date, 1844. "Mr. Ebenezer Eldredge, Died Feb.8, 1844, Age 91 years". I think you can see that the headstone is broken at about 9" from the ground, other than that the stone is in great shape and, considering its age, easy to read. I did not see any other flags in the yard but now, sitting here, I can't be sure. I just went to the FindAGrave and, I stand corrected, there are not 12 graves in this cemetery, there are only 7. I did take a pic of Ebenezer's wife, Sarah which I will try to post here as well as on FindAGrave. I will also check for other flags. I'm not sure who tends this cemetery but I will try to find out. The flag at Ebenezers grave was indeed fresh, no tatters, mold or holes. The name of this cemetery is Hawks Nest Pond Cemetery and is tucked away, off of an old cartway, among the pines and oaks in Harwich, Ma. I have tried and tried to resize the pics of Sarahs stone with no luck. I will keep trying and post it if I am able. sooey