Yippee: These specific questions are hard to answer. I know some folks do try to follow that kind of directions specifically. You could try to direct sow now if that is your preference. But remember that some seeds will wash away, some will be eaten by birds or other critters, etc. I just wintersow and try to keep it simple. I rarely read directions and most things germinate. Some don't, but most, by far, do. The beauty of wintersowing is it's simplicity. Mother Nature gives us temperature swings naturally, and waters the seeds for us with rain and snow. If I were trying to grow those things, this is what I'd do. Notice the first 2 need cold temps, followed by warm. Wintersowing will give you the cold temps, followed by warm when the spring weather arrives. For the Asclepias fascicularis, physocarpa, and syriaca I'd plant closer to spring, around March. If it germinates, I'd plant out and wait for bloom the next year. I'm not guaranteeing that this would work for you the way I mention, that's simply what I'd do. But that's just me, I try for easy. OK, maybe lazy. And I don't stress about it anymore. If someting doesn't germinate, I try again next year and have fun in the process. Can you tell, this will be my 4th year wintersowing. At first I worried and stressed over things, it's true. I think I've overcome that now. I know that most plants will drop seeds and they grow, as they have for thousands of years without our help. Karen

That is so true, a time comes when "we can remember our Loved Ones with a Smile". Before my Dad passed, I was forced to let go of Him a little at a time. Not because of Him but because of His circumstances in his home. He had been dealing with a difficult sibling for years with mental/drug issues. My mom was becoming senile. What a horrible situation he had and the entire family was alienated from it. Throughout all this and the last years my Dear, Patient, Loyal, Good Hearted Daddy was growing older and weakening. He deserved so much better His Last Days here on earth. I cry to think of His suffering. Such a Good Man and Wonderful Father. Because of the situation he was in it was difficult for me to have the kind of relationship with Him that he needed and deserved. I could only Honor him throughout his miserable last days of existence. I would keep my mind on the good memories I had before my Dad got too old to control the situation. What a strong minded and loyal soul he was to the end. My loss is greater then just the death of my Dad. It is also the loss of what his life could have been like had he not had those circumstances. They say that sometimes there are two deaths. Sometimes people give up their hopes and dreams and bitterness sets in. It is as if their Spirit dies. That never happened to my Dad. He was taken from the Horror in which he lived before it could happen. I miss my Dad and will Love him til we meet again...

Well, there is the companionable silence which is quite pleasant, as it means people are comfortable with one another and relaxed. Then there is the, someone just made an unfortunate political/religious/gossipy comment that everyone is trying to ignore, silence. And most horrible, the armed silence that occurs when an undercurrent of hostility runs 'round the table. As for compliments, if people eat up heartily, I am complimented. Particularly once they've devoured a fair number of hors d'ouevres and aren't hungry enough any more to eat anything whether it's good or not (sounds like the situation with the salad-must have been good!) Actually, I get a bit uncomfortable with too many or too effusive compliments. I mean, I know I'm a decent cook, and I just watched you clean your plate and take seconds, I don't want you to feel like you have to gush. Is that weird?

My now 14 year-old step GS is/was mean-spirited, even as a little kid. When he was 9, the cops had been called on him many times. Then he broke a window (in custody of other Grandma) and tried to kill his 8 year-old brother with a piece of the glass. He went to kiddie jail for a year and a half, and his little brother came to live with us (with only eight hours notice). Little brother obviously had severe emotional and behavioral issues. Had been diagnosed with Asperger's. Right - NOT! He had never had discipline or consequences, had been severely abused by brother, had never been educated. Then when brother got out of jail, he sexually molested several of his grandma's daycare kids, including his 5 year old cousin. He has now been in a treatment center for several months. Rather than gracefully accept treatment, he has escaped campus, broken a staffperson's arm while wearing a straitjacket, etc. At first he had numerous episodes a day, now he can go for a few days. Prognosis is not good.