Well.. I'm a former midwesterner now living in Charlotte NC, where it has finally cooled DOWN to about 85, and I finally do not feel compelled to water daily--although--we are in a severe drought so watering is a clandestine affair anyhow, and usually involves water salvaged from doing dishes or cooking pasta--so as to ease the conscience a bit... It gave me a chuckle to read that you thought 85 was too hot, just like last year it gave me a chuckle to hear Charlotte folks complain when it was 20 degrees one evening--and I said "that's ABOVE zero right? what's the problem??" I had spent the last winter in Fargo North 'duh-koah-tuh' (sort of like you pronounce 'duh bears')--so I had little sympathy for folks who thought 20 above zero was cold. Anyhooo--- enjoy your 80 temps-- you know they aren't long for this world up there in Chicago. **also** just because you CAN keep a plant producing doesn't mean you HAVE to. I pulled up several tomatos and peppers recently that were still producing and stuck in some herbs--cuz I was sick of them. Enough tomatos already! I loved looking at the photos of your roof garden!! Fabulous!!!! I'm a renter, who has moved to various states/regions the past few years and misses her old Wisconsin garden on her own property. More and more of my garden is in containers these days anticipating the next move. Its much easier to pop a pot in a trunk than to dig up a plant and try to make it live to the next planting spot. It was really neat to see how you had managed with a rooftop!! Very encouraging to the landless among us who cannot give up gardening no matter what life circumstances hit. Mary t

A few years ago I worked at a chain store wit an inside and outside nursery and they received a very large order of indoor plants (this was December) and told metofind a placeoutside for them. I told my deptment manager that it was too cold for the plants and that they would die in only a few days.I was told again to put them outside.I then went to the store manager and stated that it was too cold for the plants outside and was agian told to put them outside. Well a long story short, the plants were put outside and in three days they were all dead, retail value of about $15,000. Sometimes those in charge do not care.

Just looked at all your tile photos. I am so sorry this is such a disappointment. When you have work done at your home you either need, A. Someone who really knows their stuff. OR... B. Someone who may not be as expert, but will keep working till they get it right. My DH does most of our work on the house and he fits into both categories, depending on the specific job. Your guy is not A apparently, but he could be B.....maybe. I want to ask one question, since I don't know how much you have posted on this before. I realize that the tile installer knows he messed up--that's why he has to keep coming back....Duh. But have you sat down and had a specific conversation with him about your tile? So, Joe....I guess this tile installation is just as frustrating to you as it has been to me. And while I feel bad having to keep calling you to fix spots, I am seriously wanting to have my floor DONE. I have other things to finish in my home and this tile situation is preventing that. You are the Expert. What do you think we need to do to get this job finished so we can shake hands and be done? You want to give 100% to other clients right now, and I want to not have any more thinset anywhere in my home. What are your suggestions? This is more or less how I would talk to Joe the Tile guy. Sometimes just having a real definitive conversation will provide insight on finishing up a problem. Now, you Know he's not much of an Expert and you are obviously More frustrated than he is, but it is still kind to word it like this. Maybe he feels that for some more $$$ he could go back in and do the definitive tile job for you? If that's what he says, then you can decide if you want to throw more money his way. Maybe he is over his head and doesn't know how to do a repair. In that case, you may need to hire someone else to finish. Either way, you may get some clarity. Red

Hey Ingrid have you ever tried or heard of silicon to help makes plants stronger against heat/drought? I just started using it sporadically... maybe every couple weeks or so. I think I read Henry and Nik recommending it in the roses forum. In the citrus forum it's a very popular topic too. I just started using Protekt by Dyna Grow. It is supposed to help make foliage/petals stronger and thicker among other things, which will help them stand up to things like drought and radiant heat better. I apply it with a hose end sprayer, otherwise I would probably apply it more often. It's recommended to apply it with every watering, but takes so much time to get the hose out and apply that way. I have only applied it 1 time so far to my roses and 2 times to my citrus so I don't really have an opinion on if it's working or not, but it might be worth looking into. Maybe just for the problem roses, before you dig them up and get rid of them.