Thanks for the shoulder, guys. I know very well that I can move things around even in spring, but wouldn't it be nice to put them in their 'forever home' (ha!) the first time. I'm not that bad about plotting generally, I don't think, it's just the stupid deal about the difference of say 3x3 vs 8x5! This is TREMENDOUSLY confounded by the problem of wasted time and difficulty digging holes up here - if I were back by the coast I wouldn't give moving a bush over a couple of feet a second thought (we bought a jackhammer the first summer when we were planting the 15gal trees). Another reason to buy bands - then you only need a hole sized for a gal pot at best. I also know very well that I should have posted pics for suggestions a long time ago but always think of something better to do than go through pics and endure the photobucket upload. Stay tuned for more "wack-a-doodle" posts this week, if you don't mind ;-) Today I have to get out and get *something* done. Pam, thanks for the thoughts. I think you're probably right about how long we have colder temps being important than the snow issue, for sure I don't worry about snow damage except when we get a lot and then the ice block melts and breaks branches. Interestingly, there are not a lot of roses up here (Blaze is the only one I see around town) because they grow so well - probably due to ground squirrels as much as lack of interest. Fortunately, I've only had a relatively small amount of gopher damage and in an isolated area. Otoh, the hardware store sure sold quite a few this summer but they are a poor example as the gal that runs the garden center prunes the HTs in front to an inch of their lives in the fall. I've tried to talk to her about it but you know how that goes... Btw, Pam, I posted a thread on the Roses forum you might want to respond to. I was asking those that got your roses for the first time from Vintage to comment on how they were doing and report any geographic variations on possible disease. Hopefully we'll get some good reports and more will be purchased next season! Sherry, I know exactly what you mean about the blank page, I'm a good copier, too! Connie, tempest fugit is no kidding. Hopefully we don't get cold weather until after Halloween... Thanks again! Kerin

None of the Morouga peppers I've grown were all that hot,so far at least. Hotter than habaneros but not really in the super hot catagory. They only got the 2mil. reading for 1 pod from what I read out of 5 pods tested. To me it's a fluke of nature. I think they should grow out the seeds to see if that plant does in fact produce consistently hot pods. All the tests did was show that it's possible to get 2mil. scovilles out of that particular plant. The different heat ratings are too far apart to prove anything in my opinion. I got my seeds from the guy who was the source of a lot of the Morouga seeds going around over the last 5yrs. He got his from Tobago/Trinidad or wherever... They are actually a strain that Cardi was developing back in 2007/08 if I remember right. It was originally a 7 pot x Scorpion mix I believe. N.M.C.P.I. I think just renamed them Morouga Scorpion for seed sales purposes I think.

Aha! Thanks. I did not see the 'Newton' reference in the mouse over. I guess I was too fascinated by the falling apple. I was actually puzzled that Google might be referencing some sort of celebrity or political gossip in the news, the way I interpreted it. That would not be typical of them to do so. Newton was a genius for is time. Short bio with Google's falling apple referenced: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/01/100104-isaac-newton-google-doodle-logo-apple.html Here is a link that might be useful: Genius

Hi Dotz. I don't know how to answer you. Relationships are complicated enough when I'm one of the two in the relationship (parent/child, spouse/spouse, child/parent, etc.) but being on the "outside" as a SM with biodad/child on one side, and Sdad/child on another side... I just can't hope to ever understand those relationships completely, let alone what may have happened between your dh's kid and him to make their relationship less than ideal. People take out their anger on those they think will still love them despite the issues. Hopefully your skid will realize that dad means more than money and they can have a relationship beyond that later. I think, in my situation, where bio-mom keeps sd from us (by not contacting, etc), we will probably have a tough row to hoe coming up here soon as she becomes a teenager with angst. But, if her parents didn't have issues, the issues with her would be lessened. It's due to the parents setting up expectations that makes the kids resentful. My SD expects to be driven around in posh cars and going to outrageously expensive schools and if her dad doesn't contribute to the lifestyle BM has set up she is resentful. We prefer to place value on good manners, wholesome activities, enjoying being a kid instead of designer outfits for 9 year olds...Oh well... we simply don't have the same values. Having to straddle both value systems is difficult for children. And, outsiders, without all the little cobwebs floating around of past conversations/hurts/angers, can see any situation a lot clearer than the participants. As Sm's, we will never fully understand the nuances. Sooooo... my response Dotz, is just be as supportive of your DH as you can while he goes through this stage with his son. In my experience, my Ex and I have issues my DH could never understand, and my DH loves me, so automatically my Ex is the bad guy... and he hates his Ex, but I do my damnedest not to internalize that. I channel Switzerland. I attempt neutrality. I try to look at all sides, and I try to do it with love. It's far too complicated to figure out their issues. So I'm a cheerleader. Go (broken and taped back together) family of mine!!! win win win!