I have noticed a decrease in several butterflies, especially the Eastern Tiger Swallowtails. The ice storm a year ago last November destroyed so many trees and then the trees were hauled off and turned into mulch, thus destroying the overwintering chrysalides. If I knew a source, I'd get some eggs and raise them. I have plenty of food. The other butterfly affected is the Spicebush Swallowtail. I did not have any last year. This is another BF that if I could get eggs/caterpillars I'd raise and return to the environment. How do we get people involved in replenishing butterflies that have been affected by natural catastrophies? Our local zoo shut down the butterfly house. I started my small business of growing and going to the Farmer's Mkt to encourage people to plant natives. It sure wasn't to make lots of money! LOL These plants weren't available locally. Sometimes I get overwhelmed and tired with starting a business after the age of 60, but the enthusiasm of the customers has kept me going. Each person who plants milkweed encourages more Monarchs. Those who plant Rue encourage GSWs. Those who plant parsley, fennel, and dill encourage BSTs. And, I could go on. When I hear the continuing saga of "Bumblebee", it makes me feel I've encouraged at least one person to be aware of the caterpillars and butterflies around them. Off topic, I have knee surgery on Friday. My butterfly trekking has been very limited this year due to pain. I'm hoping for some relief. Sandy

as long as there is green .. and the plants are otherwise well kept ... which it sounds like you are finally doing.. except for the fertilizer .. which is never recommended on conifers .... conifers will re establish new leaders .. and eventually fill in ... how long??? who knows ...could be years .... a picture would really help for more precise diagnosis ... if you have a warranty .. and you can get replacements.. due to the faulty info .. perhaps that is the way to go ... otherwise.. killing an otherwise living tree .. simply for your aesthetic ... is not really necessary .. unless money and back breaking labor doesn't matter.. IMHO .. to many people want a row of perfectly uniform trees .. and i really don't understand that ... variation on thickness and height, in my eyes, is much more interesting than uniformity .. IF IT WERE ME .... i would give them a year or two .. and even if they irritated me in a few years .. i would plant smaller replacements for more variety in height .... in 2000 i planted a line of 50 GG .... 6 inchers including the peat pot ... they now vary from 4 to 20 feet ... i think it looks great ... good luck ken

Thanks for all your hard work Karen! Can't wait to read it in its entirety. Jodi-

This is a story about a very talented actor. I worked for 2 weeks with Daniel on G.I. Jane in 1994. We were both New York actors. He played tough guys, but he was a generous gentle man who was admired by all who worked with him. And a fun guy to be around when the day's work was done. He was a rock on the set. Always prepared, and always brought his A game. Two of my favorite roles of his were in The Postman, and Brother Where Art Thou? He was really good at it, and he made it look so easy. You never saw him acting. He was always absolutely real. He moved to Los Angeles 5 years before I did. I had hoped to run into him at auditions, but I never did. He is an outstanding actor. So much good work in movies & TV. Check him out on IMDB. Very impressive. I understand, old friend. They took one leg, and they were going to cut the toes off the other. You have no children, and you were living a difficult life. You were tired of it Daniel. I understand. God speed. Know that you are well loved, and that those who love you will never try to judge your pain. We will look for you when you are feeling better. Rest now, Daniel. Your G.I. Jane friend, Ted Sutton