Here is what I found, "Unlike squash plants and other melon plants, cucumber and cantaloupe plants will not cross-pollinate." Leave one cucumber on the vine so it will make mature seeds. I don't know about the Japanese, but with regular cukes the seeds are not mature in the eating size. But don't worry about it I will just buy a pack of seeds.

A favorite of mine too! They are so pretty to look at that even if the taste wasn't fantastic, they would still be worth growing. I also grew Oaxacan Jewel last year, similar, but RL bicolor, but Lucky Cross tasted much better.

Lodge is (or was, cant remember) a Catholic, and all of his books that I've read contain some aspect or issue having to do with Catholism (sp) in society. I agree sometimes its too much; but I adore his books because they are usually so spot on. You might try his earlier ones - Small World and Trading Places had much less of it.

Yes, very easy. The heel part is fairly low. I keep mine on the back porch to slip on and go out in the wet grass to the garden or whatever. I sometimes have on socks and sometimes don’t. I don’t wear them for a long period of time because they don’t have enough support for me and my PF will flare up. For an hour or so it’s ok. And by the way, there are various heights you can buy, up to rain boots.