Since the plant must drain, the closure of the drainage hole(s) by its roots must be seen as trouble. It does appear the plant is crying out for a re-potting and since it is causing problems, the need to wait until spring sunshine is not what it should be waiting for; re-pot now. Make sure the soil drains well...but does retain some moisture. For that, possible use of a heavier than usual percentage of peat moss might be considered. It holds on to moisture longer and mixed with any of the good mediums....vermiculite, coarse sand, perlite and potting soil/mix the plant might do better. Repotting of course is going to show what extent the roots are in. If you are considering a total re-soiling, then I suggest you remove all the old soil, wash the roots clean and inspect for any sign of damage there. A barrier between the drainage holes and the soil will prevent somewhat the reoccurrence of the roots making it to the drainage holes. Stones of size, or shards of clay might be used. I like the broken clay shards because they leave important spaces so that water can drain well, yet block the path of soil that can plug up the hole. Go up one size only...repotting to a pot too large for the roots---even tho they have expanded--can cause future problems. Its alright to remove what roots are superfluous. Ferns, generally all, like their water and they can sometimes drop a measure of debris that makes the plant or the floor its sitting on, unsightly. But, in winter, even ferns don't grow all that much and need less water. A constant vigil by testing the soil dampness is one way to avoid underwatering/overwatering. Ferns too appreciate light....just not direct light. Give your plant more than usual at this time but give it a filter when the time comes the light intensity resumes. Mid February is the time we usually allow that plants begin to start growing. Its the time that geraniums and their ilk, come out of their cool storage to resume their voyage to summr sun. Until April tho, the sun takes its time to come up to light that influences greatly plants in windows and on window sills. Common sense should prevail. When it does begin to put on new growth in earnest, the time to begin feeding can resume. Fertilize every 3rd or 4th watering.

Unless your cat has a very unique coat pattern, markings, or other rare distinguishing physical characteristics, he most likely looks very similar to hundreds or thousands of other cats. There's no reason to think that the other person's lost ad is referencing your cat. Certainly it won't hurt to contact the other person and discuss the matter with them. It's not impossible that you may have someone in your area who is abducting cats of a certain physical description. For example, it's not at all uncommon for black cats to go missing around Halloween. If your cat is an indoor cat who escaped outside, it's much more likely that your cat is very frightened and is hiding somewhere out of sight, probably close to your home. Or your cat may have become inadvertently trapped in someone's garage, shed, or basement. You should make up flyers with his photo and description, then distribute them to every household and business within at least a one mile radius of your home. Flyers should also be posted at every vet clinic, animal shelter, pound, pet store, feed store, pet groomer, etc. in your area, as well as at your local police station or sheriff's dept. Speak personally to all of these entities, as well, so that they know there is a person behind the posters who is seriously searching for this cat. If your cat is still nearby, it will help keep him close and hopefully draw him back to your house if you put his (preferably soiled) litterbox outside your door, along with some of your own dirty laundry (dirty underwear works best). Those strong, familiar scents will hopefully lure him back. Also, ask your local animal control officer, animal shelter, and/or wildlife services if you can borrow a live trap to set up outside your house. If your cat is close by but too scared to come out of hiding during daylight hours, you may be able to trap him overnight. If your cat is an intact tom, all bets are off. He could be many miles from home by now, looking for love. Keep going to your area shelters and pounds every day or two to personally check through the cat cages for your boy. Don't rely on the people who answer the phones at those places. You need to check those cages yourself to make sure your boy isn't overlooked or lost in a paperwork shuffle. I wish you the best of luck in finding your boy. Laurie

Hi - My name is Sarah and I have worked at Carlisle for years. Kats is absolutely right - we do not want to upset you Laurie, and I'm very sorry that we reached your husband's work number. I can appreciate how that would be awkward. We do receive many requests for information through our website, and if there is no phone number included, we will often plug the person's name into a website like 411.com or whitepages.com to see if we can quickly find a phone number. Because of the custom nature of our floors, we find that a phone conversation is the most effective way to learn about your project and the look you are going for with your flooring. For that reason we will try to call you to simply make sure you received the literature or to see if you have any questions. Laurie, I don't know how we came up with your husband's work number. That is obviously a unique situation, but if you would like us to not call you again, please let us know. We certainly don't want to bother you. Otherwise we'd love to hear from you!

Thanks, debra. It was really a question about strange happenings, in that it is putting out blooms and new flushes in October. Yes, the successive flushes are always prettier than the initial ones. Given this is many flushes past the first, and the leaves on this flush are really nice, I find it strange that it is doing this so late. The other So Sweet is behaving normally as are all the other hosta. I miss the old "guys" who had so much knowledge and shared it generously. bk