Karen, You haven't done anything wrong and you have no reason to feel guilty about what you did. I've been trading seeds since 2003 and know exactly where you are coming from. My first year trading, I was so afraid of getting a bad reputation, that when I offered the SASBE seeds, I kept very careful records, kept after those that didn't send me the mailers, continued to e-mail them and got responses like I thought I sent it, Oop I forgot, it's on the way today. and yes 99% of those I never got. I spent more time tracking down the mailers then arranging the trades and SASBEs to start with. After that year I said never again. From that point on I do the following. I post the offer for trade and SASBE seeds. I make it clear that only seeds listed followed with SASBE will be sent for postage. When I arrange the SASBE the following is included in the e-mail. 'Please have the mailer to me within 2 weeks. After that time the seeds go back to my trade list and I can not promise to have the seeds for you. I will mail the seeds to you as soon as I receive the mailer and will let you know that the seeds are in the mail." I now add this. "I do not have the time to contact you if I have not received your mailer and will assume that if I don't receive it, you are no longer interested in receiving the seeds for SASBE. You can contact me, if you have any concerns about your mailer being received." It may sound mean to some members, but on the other hand, if you want the seeds, then it isn't difficult to get the mailer sent out in enough time to be received within 2 weeks. During the holiday season though, between thanksgiving and the first of the year, I usually say 3 weeks because of the amount of mail that is sent then. Even with the information spelled out in the e-mail, I still get mailers that come well after the 2-3 weeks. some have come 8-12 weeks beyond the time and if I have any of the seeds, I send them, but I have sent the mailer back empty with the same note as you did, Karen, and I didn't feel bad about it at all. All it takes is an e-mail letting me know there is a delay and I will hold the seeds, common manners is all it is. And even with over 70 SASBEs sent out, I still didn't get at least 50 of the mailers. That is even more rude to me, then getting them weeks after they are supposed to be here. I have to admit though, most people have let me know that they received the seeds, but then again, when I let them know that the seeds are in the mail, I always ask for them to let me know that they got the seeds. Shouldn't have to, it should be automatic, but we all know it isn't. Oh, one other thing, I'm not afraid to say no to anyone requesting SASBE seeds that are not available for postage. Some people where upset about it, but that is just too bad for them. I have no worries about it. Fran

gjcore: Thanks for sharing a picture of your hail protection. I was watching the hail pummel my garden and they dont fall vertically down. As with rain, it comes sideways as well. So your plants at the front would still receive considerable damage wont they? I thought of just getting a huge piece of sturdy plastic and just put it over the entire tomato bed (doable since i only have about 12 plants). Obviously that means I have go actually go put it on before the storm hits, unlike yours which you leave on all the time. We do get weather warnings and that was how i actually saved 60 -70% of my plants this time. Zackey: In June when we had the huge hailstorm, my car which wasnt parked in the garage was hit too - its perhaps more than 100 round dents all over. Surprised the windscreens didnt break! Insurance company said they couldnt assess our case till end of August because they were inundated with similar cases in the region!

Good Morning, Danny, hope you see this post. I want to thank you for suggesting Oak Park Conservatory. After playing phone tag, I finally talked to the conservatory manager. She asked me to name plants I intended on donating. My mind drew a blank. lol. I honestly could not think of one name. After a noticeable pause, I stupidly said, 'um, well I have several Jades.' lol. Talk about embarrassed! I had an incompleted, pre-written list, but, of course, I didn't have it handy. Didn't expect her to answer the call, after trying two other occasions. Anyway, she explained what needed doing. They don't pick-up plants, so I have to figure a way to get plants there. We have an old, OLD Jeep. Hopefully, dh will drive me and plants to OP. She gave me her email addy, so I'm going to snap and send photos. The conservatory doesn't have space for duplicates, so she'll weed out plants, (via photos) they have or just don't want, then let me know which they'll take. I'm awaiting sunshine. When cloudy, as it's been the last week, pictures are too dark. The calendar says it's spring, but doesn't feel very springy. Anyway, thanks again. Hi Caro, Yep, plants enjoy being summered outside. They love warm days, cool nights. Fresh air and humidity..humidity depending on plant type. I have hanging plants, but did you know ants climb poles? I watched the little creatures parade up and across a plant pole. This went on about a week before I sprayed them with vinegar. They marched up from the ground, hauling a white object, 'eggs?' in their mouths. I don't think slugs are capable of climbing metal. Right? But, when on the ground!!!!!!!!! One day, the wind blew my String of Pearls down. Soil and foliage fell to the ground, close enough to scoop back in the pot. Not only were there ants, (larger than those we normally see,) but a few 3-5", clear color, jelly-like, wormy things. Slug or grub? Anyway,, whatever they were turned my stomach. I bet you were shocked seeing ants covering your counter? lol. Shocked and repulsed. That'll do it. A tree frog would be cute, but forget the snake! I don't know one snake from another, not that type matters. lol. Funny you have ladybugs every winter. They're so cute and helpful. But, I wonder if they're presence is good or bad? Bad as in, do my plants have bad insects which are keeping ladybugs alive??? A few times they were alive and well here, too, but died before spring. I felt terrible. Who'd harm a ladybug?? You can't tell her to fly away home to her kids when outdoor temps are below freezing...kids are probably among the group anyway...lol. Yes, you are SO right about getting old. lol. So true. Time to simplify not complicate. Rid some plants and hang curtains. :) A novel concept in this household. However, if I was 18-years and found hundreds of ants in the house, I'd feel the same. Know what I mean? My energy has been pretty low, but discovering an ant farm moved in the house, lowered it minus 0. Sunless days sure don't help matters..and the days have been sunless. :) One thing. It's difficult choosing plants you'll never see again, especially if they've been with you for years. Is that being selfish or logical? In a way I feel selfish...if I can't have them nobody will. Then I feel guilty for feeling selfish..lol. The problem isn't only ants and lack of space. My back and knee problems are worsening, so it's nearly impossible caring for these guys the way they used to be cared for throughout the years. Think I'm trying to talk myself out of guilt? :) Good luck with your plants, too. If you can get cuttings to root, have the space, fantastic. It took years before I was able to toss extra cuttings. I then realized, no matter how difficult, once the cuttings were tossed, there'd be more room for new plants. lol. But some plants can't be cut and rooted. 'fat plants, certain bulbs.' Yes, I agree, the link Asleep posted is very helpful. BTW, What type of plants do you grow? Hi Asleep, Actually, I placed corn meal in areas my birds can't reach. Behind sink faucets in kitchen and bathroom. Behind the stove. At first I wondered if corn meal would invite mice, but a different article said, if rodents eat non-cooked corn meal,, they'll explode, too. Kill two birds, 'not literally,' with one stone. Yes, I have corn meal, flour, etc. I bake treats for the holidays, 'well, used to,' lol, so corn meal is readily available. No need to run to the grocery store. Last year, I bought live ladybugs..because it was too cold to set out, in the fridge they went. Poor guys..:( I received lady bugs Saturday, set them outside Sunday. can't find one. lol. I followed directions to a T. Mix one teas of sugar in water, then spray ladybugs with the mixture. The suger water is meant to keep them in the area so they don't fly away..Yeah Right! lol. I heard ladybugs eat mealy, too, but some people say it's not true. Aphids yes, but not ladybugs. Who knows what or whom to believe these days. Asleep, have you tried Fish Emulsion? It might or might not rid scale, but it sure worked for me. Well, my plants..lol. I personally do not have scale. lol. Did you post a pic of your Stag? Can't recall. Again, thanks for the help. Toni Thanks for asking.

I'm all about rescuing! There are sooo many good dogs out there that need loving homes. Even if you are getting into a particular breed, there are alot of rescues out there for plenty of them as well. I live in the city so one would think I wouldn't need a hunting dog. Well, so far he has gotten a rabbit, a dove, & the last conquest was last nite. About 3:30am he starts barking like a mad man, jumping up on the window sill. He's part White Shepherd so he is also a protector. Anyway, he woke me out of a dead sleep & I started to freak out because he never has gone nuts like that before in the middle of the nite. So I get up, turn on the porch light & open the door. Grant you, I would never have done that if he wasn't there, he makes me feel safe :) I didn't see anyone or thing & opened the door. He ran out & w/i seconds I could hear him growling & shaking something in his mouth. Just as I got down the steps I see him running to the walkway shaking his head & sneezing. I looked over to see what he got a hold of & because it was dark, I only saw a black animal with a white stripe...you betcha, a skunk! He sprayed him right in the eye! I got him in the house very easily since the skunk was no longer of interest & got his face washed as best I could. Waited til the crack of dawn to go back outside to see if it was still around & it wasn't so it couldn't have been hurt too bad. In the bathtub he went! The only part I can't get 100% clean is his face :( I washed it 3 times & it still is kind of stinky. I will inform you as of the minute he is doing great, looking well groomed & holding both eyes open! suel41452 has a great point! I adopted him at 1.5yrs & he had been well trained & is a VERY good dog. Being a single person there was no way I could potty train a puppy. Perfect solution for me! The pound dog, the skunkster, my Jasper...