Northwoods: I am not sure why so many of your bagged apples fell off but I presume from June drop? If you are bagging early in the season that might be a reason. Most are bagging when the fruit is the size of a dime to beat insect damage from curculio/leafroller but when June drop comes, the trees will drop some fruit naturally. I prefer to spray early for insects (starting at petal fall) and then bag mid-late june. This also gives me plenty of time to get them bagged since I am covered against insects anyway. Just a thought that perhaps june drop is the reason. Of course since I am only bagging the Haralson this is not an issue for me. It would be if I bagged all my apple varieties. Tony: The last time I bought Imidan 70 was from Schlabach's Nursery in Medina NY. They stopped selling it this year and now offer Avuant instead due to the restricted use issue for many states for Imidan. Not a problem for me. I have many friends in the orchard industry who will sell me a pound or I can get it direct if I buy it in 4 lb lots from Keystone. 4 pounds at time will last me for about 7-8 years. I keep it triple packaged,cool and dry and have no problems with the longevity issue. 8 year old Imidan seemed to work for me just as well as fresh. Imidan can be purchased IF you have a pesticide applicator's license (if it is a restricted use chemical for your state) and if you are willing to buy 4 lbs at a time. For many home growers with just 2-3 apple trees, the cost for such quantity and the pesticide applicator's license required make Imidan out of reach.

Moving isn't in the top ten list of life's biggest stressors for nuttin! Sometimes, just acknowledging that I'm in overload and stressed out gives me just enough umph to get through it. And when I have a gazillion tasks and things swimming in my head due to such stressors in life, reminding myself that it all going smoothly is an absolute insane thought, helps me get through it too. It's like a roller coaster ride isn't it? Fast, slow, scary and exciting all at once. The cars will eventually stop on those tracks. Allow yourself a lot of plan B's, so to speak. When packing, for instance, sure you had a box set aside for extra sheets and blankets and now you have wasted ten minutes searching for that box. Throw them in a hefty bag and deal with them after you move. And remember, bring down your (prior to moving in) remodeling goals down a notch or two. You can always continue and complete them after you move in. I know, it's easy for me to say. Just in my work I see the panic in their eyes when I ask: "And do you want us to paint that walk in closet too?" You should see some of the faces of panic we see! I've never met a person yet to doesn't get freaked out over picking up EVERYTHING they own, sorting it, packing it and moving it. I'm so excited for you! Keep on updating us. The fast, slow, scary and exciting parts of your ride. Pics, pics, more pics please! ~di

See, one reason why I appreciate all of you so much is that my brain doesn't bend like that! I think in squares. Curves never occur to me for some reason. But I like the idea! A crescent, huh? Hmmm.... I'm trying to see it, and what I am picturing is something flush with the foundation of the house, extending along the side of the walk and along the bulkhead. Curving in the center in a concave shape, towards the house. Is that what you meant? I wish I was good with Paintshop, I may have to try it when I get home this evening and post something. I like the obelisk idea a lot! I should note one change that will happen before too long. D'ya see the section on the right, where the bucket is and you can see the hose and the trash barrel behind it? That area is about to become a wall. We are expanding the kitchen, and the wall you see in the background will come out to be flush with the corner of the house. I forgot to mention that before, I'm sorry. I'm in construction mode, and since the GC is having trouble getting an electrician to commit to the job (long story), I am preserving my sanity by dreaming of flower gardens. Thanks again, Emmie

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