Dick Sonia, While there may be no avocado orchards in Oregon or Washington, I would disagree that these states aren't a potential source of infestation for California. You are forgetting that so many people smuggle in plants, seeds and fruit and vegetables from all over the world via air travel, and then can easily drive across a state border and be a potential source of infestation. Also diseases and pests that may require a warmer climate such as California's, can also easily establish a beach head inside greenhouses, and spread throughout the country. So it doesn't really follow that any state is more at risk from California pests than vice versa. All parts of the country are equally accessible to bone headed people who bring in infected materials without thinking of the potential harm, and can then easily cross state borders and spread the risk beyond their initial entry point. While diseases such as Sudden Oak Death are already here in California, they also occur in Washington and Oregon states, and infected plants from nurseries there if not inspected could still easily spread this disease to parts of California where it doesn't occur (yet). So your analogies don't make total sense, and we are back to relying on an imperfect system that assumes people will cooperate in their own self interest. Education of the public is the key factor, making people feel that it IS in their self interest to cooperate and attempt to keep pests out. The alternative is resorting to police state inspection policies. Given how there doesn't seem to be much enthusiasm for cooperation and the public good anymore, it may come to that.

gardengal48... So Friday Was my very first visit to the Plant Depot... Let me just say... I am IN LOVE!!! They had ordered both the "super" 1 gallons and 5 gallons waiting for me. To my surprise the "super" 1 gallon size looked much bigger than I had imagined they would. I walked out of there with 4 "super" 1 gallon Limelights and 2 bags of Acid Soil Ammendment. I really had to use a serious amount of self control and restraint to keep myself from buying more. I think I may have a plant addiction... HELP!!!... ;-) I can't wait to get these hydrangeas in the ground and growing for me. Based on the information on the tag, it says that they're the hardiest of all the Hydrangeas... needing less water and being able to take more sun, than many of the other Hydrangea varieties out there, once they're established. So I'm hopeful that I will have much more success with these Hydrangeas than the other ones I've planted in the past. I CAN'T wait to go back to The Plant Depot and do some more garden dreaming... such a cool place. Thanks again for leading me towards The Plant Depot. I would not have known to check them out if it had not been for you... :-) I'll have to snap some photos sometime and share. Thanks again for all your help!

First off, your home is gorgeous and your view is magnificent. I think you have too many colors going on, with the rug, the blue objects in the cabinet, the chairs, the big red picture. Although, I love the chairs and the color, but I would slip cover them in a warm neutral cream or tan. I would paint the pine a warm cream, to make it light and airy. In fact, I would go with white on white in white. Is there anything prettier and crisper than cream and white, I think not, but that's me. I would have slip covered sofa's in cream or tan or beige. I would even have a whipped cream colored area rug with tan floor pillows. I think a little black in any room looks wonderful, maybe a big shabby chic cabinet or coffee table. I happen to like your coffee table and I would shabby chic it in black. I see you have black and white framed photo's in there, keep them. How about some big antique fern prints? There not that expensive and I think they look good framed in lucite, not actual frames. You can even buy brown ferns if you like. Decorate with tons of seashells and beautiful coral in your cabinet. Why not buy some antique plates (old white Ironstone) or buy some blue transferware and keep with the blue. The plates are not that expensive. Buy some warm throws for cold evenings in stripped cream and beige or tan. And buy some canvas or ticking sofa or floral pillows in cream or tan. How about a telescope in front of that beautiful window? What do you think of buying a big sail boat for the mantel? Although, that has been done so much, but it is good looking, no? Or a big canvas beachy painting or even a water color. Oh gosh did I see that you HAVE to keep the pine? Looking at the cabinets painted in cream is just beautiful. And I wouldn't decorate with anchors or big ropes or cheap fish. I would use some big palms in there, it would look great. I wouldn't think too much about drapes, just simple panels. Your view is the star! ...Jane

" The governor came down really hard on them and basically said they'd better fly right or be taken over in the public interest. " Sure. Yeah. Our government always watches out for public's interest. No quid pro quo, or bribery in our country. That only happens in other countries. Have you ever wonder who are those people in Super Bowl box suites totaling over $20,000 per person (with traveling)? Restaurants $1000 per meal? Special events you get to mingle with move stars? ------- Book deals, "Charitable" foundations, paid speeches ------ Have you ever wonder how all those politicians, public works inspectors, make millions and millions while in office? regardless of political party? All perfectly legal? How is it possible that suppliers and contractors for government work get paid for 100% over contracts? Simple answer, voters (both sides) don't know and don't care. Sorry, plllog, I am very negative with our government. dcarch