About a foot tall. I had to put a bamboo stake near it so I wouldn't mow it over. Few of my trees are bigger than that when planted. I planted a 3-leaved American Beech I dug from my sister's woods. My brother mowed it over. It is now over my head (7-8ft). That was 18 years ago, but they truly grow slow. On the other hand, I planted an 8 inch Magnolia grandiflora stick, not brown back leaf, that is about 22 ft. tall. That was also about 20 yrs. ago. For height measurement, I use a straight bamboo stick. You cut it the length of the distance from the web between the thumb and forefinger to your eye, when your arm is extended 90 degrees from your body. To measure the tree, hold the stick with your arm completely extended, perpendicular to the ground and parallel to your body. Walk towards the tree in question (keep your arm 90 degrees from your body). When the stick is exactly as tall as the tree in your eye, the tree is as tall as you are from the trunk. Hint: hold the stick nearer the bottom so that you won't be lifting your arm as you walk towards the tree.

Sigh. Here we go again. Kimmsr, put your listening ears on! Those insects that require a particular species of plant in order to complete their life cycle will seek out that plant and use it for its purpose no matter what. It does not matter if that plant is in perfect condition and is thriving in the best of soils. The columbine sawfly is just one example. This is one aspect of IPM that you seem to have little understanding of, Kimmsr. There are many species specific pests out there. We can eliminate those plants from our gardens, or we can take it upon ourselves to learn the life cycle of the pests so that we can mitigate the damage. No one has said that a 'good healthy soil that grows strong, healthy plants will not deter insect pests and diseases'. (I know that you're trying to insult me, but you'll have to do better than that, lol.) But you shouldn't turn your back on the facts. There ARE very susceptible plants out there just as there ARE plant pests that will seek and find their particular host plant. It's very important to provide a vital and healthy soil system. The benefits are huge. And many insect and disease pests are able to take advantage of plants that are weak, under or over nourished, or simply languishing. But it's important, too, that we understand the behaviors and life cycles of some pests. By doing so, we can avoid those plants entirely, should we wish to do so. But for those particular insects, seeking out the appropriate plant species is instinctual...just as much as a mosquito seeks a blood meal.

These stops are also called service stops. These are small shutoffs affixed to the hot and cold inlets of the valve so that you can shut off the water at the valve to perform service. A valve that is "less stops" has no shutoffs; therefore the water must be shut off for the entire house before performing any service. This is mainly a convenience issue (unless you live in a multi-unit building)--but you should check your local building codes.

Jazzie, thanks for your reply on my letter to mom thread. That was very nice of you. I know exactly how you feel, or I think I do. Especially the part of nothing bringing joy anymore. I read the paper and they go on and on about the Super Bowl. Who cares? My mom is dead. My MIL summed it up pretty well last year. The world doesn't stop for one persons personal tragedy. I guess that is true. And I have screamed at the heavens and sobbed and cursed God for making this world so full of love, but the flip side is the pain when our loved ones are taken from us. Marion is also correct in that some days are better than others. I also read Hello from Heaven, and it helped a bit. Two others that were quite a comfort to me was "Lessons from the Light' by George Anderson. He explains that when we die we go 'home'. The place where we came from and it is a wonderful place full of light and joy. Another great book is called "Forever Ours" and it chronicles near death experiences and different signs. Short stories. Several are very touching. I don't prescribe to any particular religion. I consider myself a Christian but don't believe you go to hell if you don't believe in a certain doctrine. There is more to this life than we know. Hang in there Jazz. There are a lot of people feeling like you do, and it helps to talk things out. Take care, Duane