Ya Ya, I just saw this. Even though I begged Spike to start this forum, I just haven't had the time to visit it as often as before. I'm so very sorry for the loss of your best friend. I do know that sometimes grief has a way of getting worse as time goes on. Many people think that it always gets better, but that is not always the case. Many times, it gets worse, and then better. I think at first, it is our body's defense mechanism which protects us and allows the grief and sense of loss to creep in gradually. I think we eventually get to a peak and then gradually "accept" (I don't like that word) or "surrender" as I call it, and then feel better as time goes by. I hope that you will find peace and always remember that you will see your loved ones again. Think of them as being on a long, wonderful vacation and you will meet them later on. That's what I try to do with my loss of Christin and my mom. I miss all of you at the Kitchen Table. Maybe I'll try to start visiting more often. Love, Lu Here is a link that might be useful: Christin Cosby Memorial Website

Bare, disturbed soil -> forbs & grasses -> pioneer trees & shrubs -> climax canopy trees Basically, in a cultivated setting, trees are planted out in the middle of a lawn, with mown grass right up to the trunk. Leaves are faithfully raked each fall. Unless a ton of fertilizer is being dumped down, nutrients get leached out of the soil quickly. No organic matter is re-added, especially if the grass clippings are bagged. The added chemical fertilizer and lack of organic matter inhibits growth of micorrhizal fungi, especially if the grass is faithfully drenched with fungicides and pesticides, as are most urban lawns. I've got garden beds of mostly natives that mix shrubs, herbaceous plants and trees, and the trees grow a lot more quickly than ones placed in the middle of the lawn. Basically, if you plant mixed plantings and don't mess with them, they'll grow as well as trees in the wild - Think conservation rather than cultivation, and try to use trees from local seed strains - The trees will do much better than ones brought in from further afield.

Back in 1987 I had my first SFH and my washer was a Kenmore 70 Series. I was able to wash a queen size bedspread by using the reset on the water level control and filling it with enough water to saturate it and the results were satisfactory. I had to be involved-making certain it was well washed and well rinsed, but I only washed the spread occasionally, so it was not a chore. Having had two FLs machines I am tired of the balancing issues and 70 minutes plus to do a big load because it takes it 10 minutes or more to finally spin (on medium). I read some articles recently about how to handle washing a king size comforter when the owner's washer won't accommodate it-and the recommendation was to wash it in the bathtub. I think that may be a good solution for me. I will be happy with the SQ capacity for my normal laundry. One of the reasons I am buying the analog is just for the reason of being able to use reset on the water level control and add as much water as I want for a specific load. I will try to do a big comforter-and if it does not work out I will come up with an alternative. I guess I should feel ashamed for saying I don't wash the comforter very often-but we use it for decor and not as actual bedding.

@chris209 (LI, NY Z7a) I have seen three so far. Helen S366-1 JP 2022 New Introduction Floribunda Rose https://www.jacksonandperkins.com/s366-1-jp-2022-new-introduction-floribunda-rose/p/27990/ Z336-1 JP 2022 New Exclusive Introduction Floribunda Rose https://www.jacksonandperkins.com/z336-1-jp-2022-new-introduction-floribunda/p/27991/ Z903-2 JP 2022 New Introduction Climbing Rose https://www.jacksonandperkins.com/z903-2-jp-2022-new-introduction-climber/p/27992/ Pics credits from J&P.