Oh my. What is a passionate rose lover like you doing in that glacial hell hole? Reading about your endeavors has exhausted me and I haven't even lifted a shovel. I admire your grit and determination, but would love to see you rewarded with thousands of blooms on your rose bushes for all your hard work. I bet they could use engineers in zones 7 to 10!

I have one cast iron kettle that I use as a deep fryer, trsinc. I use shortening in that one (Crisco, that is) and it works out just fine. It keeps through many uses before needing to be replaced. For non-deep frying the way Bumblebeez does, I've usually used peanut oil. Lately I've been using the Palm Oil shortening for those applications. But long term that can get expensive (cost me almost 7 bucks for a 24-oz tub). Once I use up what I have I will most likely not replace it. I'm surprised you can't find peanut oil. It's one of the commonest. Most supermarkets carry it. Is there a Walmart or Kroger near you? I know you can get it there. Barring that, however, you can use corn oil (the #1 oil sold in America). Until Canola started making inroads, corn oil was the most likely vegetable oil on grocery shelves. If you're eliminating the use of Canola, do not buy any of the ones that say "mixed oils" or "blended vegetable oils" or something like that without first reading the label. Most of those blends are Canola and something.

Seniors in Ontario pay a co-pay of $2 or $3 for their prescriptions. I have never had issues with our health care. I can see my doctor usually the same day I call him and if he isn't available his clinic is open. In Ontario we get letters to remind us to get mammograms, colonoscopys and for men Prostrate screening. I can usually get a mammogram the within a few days or week of requesting one. I know in other cities there is a longer wait time and some patients are sent here. I don't take any prescription medications but when I have had the need for prescription medications in the past for acid reflux my Doctor knows I don't have prescription coverage so his nurse makes arrangements with the drug rep who dropped off boxes of the medicaiton I needed and I only had to go back to my Doctor to pick it up. I just let them know when I was running short. From what I have heard our prescription drug prices for the most part cost a lot less for the same prescription drug in the US. Right now Insulin seems to bring American's over here to pick up what they need for a much lesser cost. One thing I could never understand is some Doctors here will ask you to pay $100-200 a year if you are one of their patients. My Doctor has never done this but some of my friends family gps require this. I don't know if it is for Drs. notes, or to have prescriptions refilled. Some doctors do charge for having to call the pharmacy for your refills, mine doesn't. I must say the medical care my family members have received has been excellent. My older sister has had heart issues her entire life, had 2 hip replacements, 2 pacemakers, 2 different breast cancers, lung cancer, surgeries and the only thing she had to pay for besides some prescription meds before she became a senior was taxi rides to and from her appointments. My sister had daily medical care through CCAC - Community Care Access Centre. Twice a day a nurse would come to the house to give her IV antibiotics, she had a daily personal care worker come in to bath her and help her get dressed. When she was diagnosed with lung cancer and moved in with me so I could care for her I was provided with all the equipment I needed for her - a hospital bed. commode, she had oxygen and a weekly visit from the oxygen therapist, nurse practioners coming to the house, Hospice doctors, night nurse when I needed to get some sleep, she had a ventalyn machine and the meds to help her breath. If she fell or I needed help moving her I just had to call the EMS and they would come to help. Not a penny was paid out for any of this care or equipment. CCAC even paid for the private transport ambulance to take her to her chemotherapy appointments. She was put on a new chemo drug that cost over $700 a pill that was paid for but the doctor had to apply to OHIP for that to be covered. Same excellent health care for my other sister and my Mom who had long term Alzheimer's and pancreatic cancer who I took care of at home My cousin was diagnosed with breast cancer this time last year and she had the surgery the same week. Our health care isn't perfect, there are long wait times for certain procedures and long wait times at the ER. We have a doctor shortage especially for some specialists in Windsor. Right now there are only about 8 Family Doctors taking new patients but if you don't have a family doctor there is a clinic right around the corner and you can see any doctor there. Some procedures aren't covered like they used to be covered. If you need a mole removed you have to pay for it, I don't know what the other things are. We do pay for our health care through our taxes and through our employers but you never have to worry about paying up front to see your doctor or for most procedures. What OHIP covers https://www.ontario.ca/page/what-ohip-covers#section-0

Judith: Pumice is porous volcanic rocks with neutral pH, versus red and black lava rock at high pH over 9. Pumice comes in smaller particles, and used for growing succulents with its fast drainage. Pumice is very expensive at over $25 for 3 gallons, versus I can get a 40 lb. of lava rock for $6 at Menards store. Inviting everyone to continue the discussion on soil & fertilizer & own roots in below new link, since this thread is getting too long: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6252246/tips-for-own-root-vs-grafted-roses-in-pots-longagoroses-bands#n=11