Here's a link that will give you lots of info on termites. It's the Louisiana State University Ag Center's website, so they talk specifically about the Formosan Subterrarean Termite. However, most of it applies to all subterranean termites (but not drywood termites). When you click on the link, you'll get a pop-up box asking for your zip code, but it's the only pop-up you'll get. If your house has a concrete foundation you should probably be more worried about cracked corners and the bath traps than the mulch. There are good pictures of both on the link I provided, so that you'll know what I'm talking about. The site says that mulch can be a problem if you put it on top of a treated termite barrier around your house because it can give the termites a bridge over the treatment. It can also be a problem against a foundation if it keeps you from seeing the termite tubes (which are not usually as large and dramatic as ones you see pictures of on the web). They recommend leaving 6 inches of your foundation showing so that you can inspect it easily for termite tubes. When you inspect your foundation, occasionally take a little spade and dig 6-10 inches down at key points (places where plumbing enters or exits your house, cracked corners, wood fence posts, wet areas, etc). Termites look like little white larva with brownish heads. They move away pretty fast, so look as you dig. It can help to dump the dirt you remove on a black plastic bag and mash the dirt around to check it. Be especially alert if you find roly polys where you dig. Note: if you've had the perimeter treated, don't follow this advice unless you plan to re-treat the areas you disturb. Now, anyone want to talk about carpenter ants?! Here is a link that might be useful: subterranean termites

>When Christ and His Angels Slept - Sharon Kay Penman Oh, absolutely fantastic book! Deals with the first English Civil War in the 1100s which lasted 20 years, between King Stephen and the Empress Maud. If you loved Caedfael and always wanted to know more about that time period, this is for you. If you love battles, this is for you. If you love political intrigue believe me its filled with it. Also filled with great writing and characters. Well researched book as well. Whats also fun is that Henry the II and Eleanor of Aquitane meet in the last section of the book. Anyway, I'd be up for re-reading it. Bill, I think Last Kingdom is the latest in that series? My DH loves those books, but for some reason they didn't take for me. But Stonehenge, and his Arthur series are superb. The one about Boadicia sounds very interesting. I know so little about that time period and what I do know about her is bits and pieces. >Aztec - Gary Jennings Never read it, wanted to. I loved his Journeyer, a fictional account of Marco Polo's travels in the east. Fantastic. So this would be one I'd be interested in. >Lady of the Forest Wow, talk about a blast from the past! I read that when I was in my all sci/fan all the time stage in college, and it still remains one of my favorite reads of the genre. However - are books about Arthur, Robin Hood and other legends considered Historical Fiction? I'm not saying they aren't, just wondering. Coz if so, boy do I have a bunch of books to suggest!

lacey-when you try to do several quick posts to one thread, the site does get cranky. all you need to do is change the text in the "subject of posting" box above the message box, and it will accept your subsequent posts. weird, but true! Lady Jane Grey is an enigma, and thus an easy subject to "historic-fictionalize." Carolly Erickson, whom I have enjoyed as a biographer for many years, has been seduced by the success of the Other Boleyn Girl series into doing one of Lady Jane...imho, greatly inferior to her bios of the Tudors. sigh.

Sorry Veronica I missed your post...serves me right for not refreshing before I hit 'submit'. We JUST returned a Netflix on the way to my library, so Becket is up on the queue. 'Randy' is OK. James Bond womanizing is not. We all watch Matrix and action movies. Oh! The Lion in Winter....A Man for All Seasons....grrrr....too much good stuff not enough time. I'm going to hold off on Skeletons because it is modern and he is still doing Robespierre, I think. Below the Salt is at my library so I'm adding that, might be good for the 14 YO who is doing US Constitutional history right now. Note to self - Pillars of the Earth on hold for other library patrons. Scarlett Pimpernel....ack....1279 pages....will keep in mind.