Thanks to all for your responses. I'll look into the reference about Lord Somers bringing blue trees in 1845. It seems that Cedrus atlantica is the least resistant to drought and pests among all cedars, so global warming or a related change in weather patterns could be to blame. Since hybrids (ie. with Cyprus cedar, Cedrus brevifolia) have been shown be more drought resistant [1,2], perhaps the surviving blue trees have a mixed heritage. [1] http://books.google.com/books?id=5UhBc80c1t8C&lpg=PA117&ots=NK4_VyulIw&dq=belezma%20cedar&pg=PA123#v=onepage&q=belezma%20cedar&f=false [2] http://www.pierroton.inra.fr/INCO/INCOY48.pdf

Ah, but there was one in my post, gg, and you picked up on it. The answer is wheat which has been cultivated for more than 7,000 on every continent excepy Antarctica. Five stars for Annette ***** Four stars for gg who narrowed it down to two, one of which was wheat **** And, three stars for Jim who also narrowed it down, but then went with lettuce instead *** Bobbie, do I owe you stars? If I picked up on your clue, I think you were guessing corn, but I could be wrong. If I'm right, I love the clue! Thanks for playing everyone. Hope this Sunday finds you in good (or vastly improved in a couple of cases) health and exceptional spirits. Now, on to Nancy's question everyone!!

I spoke with a lawyer this week, sorry for not updating sooner but it's been a rough time for me lately... Anyway, I can't remember which poster said he/she had a 'gut feeling' that there is no legal provision for self defence in animals, but that seems to be the most simplified explanation of the situation. Yes, the family member is an adult. He is actually my father. I'm 19 years old and trust me it's surely been a difficult time for me. My dad has changed his 'story' a few times since the bite happened, and it's hard to get anything straightened out. It's turning into a division in the family which is just compounded the already painful situation. Honestly I dont think there is anything that can be done for Lucky. The day after the bite, the officer who came to the house (my mom had to sign ownership of Lucky over to her) called our home and she explained that we would be receiving a call from the Department of Health to explain why Lucky has to be put down. When the representative from the D. of H. called I didn't speak to her, but apparently she essentially explained that the laws in our county are strict regarding second dog bites, and it is mandated that a dog who causes 2 "severe injuries" (the second bite didnt even require stitches so I wouldnt think it would be considered severe but I of course am a layperson) must be put down. I'm trying really hard to move forward and try not to dwell on this. Lucky was techincally my younger sister's dog and she is having a very hard time, understandably so. She is a junior in high school, and all of this occured during final exams week for her. Hopefully my family will have learned *something* from this awful series of events... maybe that some animals just aren't meant to be the pets we want them to be.. other than that I'm not really sure what 'good' can come of this. I guess I'm just glad that he didn't harm anyone more severly than he did. 99% of the time he was an affectionate and adorable dog, and it's just that 1% that proved impossible to extinguish. Fortunately I just obtained a summer job for my hiatus from college, so hopefully that will help me to keep my mind off all of this. It's the only coping strategy Ive come up with.

I go to Paris every year, though I now travel alone since my husband died (some of his ashes went with me and stayed). I think I know Paris better than the town I'm now living in here! We made so many friends over the years, and I'm returning again this fall. I now stay in an apartment in a residential building near my friends, with the closest famous sight being the Palais Royale. One of my friends who lives in Paris arrived in Brussels today. She didn't change her plans. It's a good idea to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program so that the US Embassy will know where you are, and when you're there. You'll get alerts, if anything is happening. I use the métro when it's raining, but Paris is very walkable. I easily walk over 8 miles a day when I'm there, just going about my business. If you're nervous about the métro, then walk. The terrorist attacks in Paris were in a neighborhood far from the sights most tourists see. My friends who live in Paris had been to that nightclub; a few were there the week before the attacks. The main-attractions in Paris are heavily guarded. SWAT team guarded. The National Police wear protective SWAT gear and carry automatic weapons. They tend to be in teams of three or four together. That's normal. BUT -- If you see buses of armed police parked along a street and/or congregating around an area, turn around and go the other way---they know something is going on! In July 2014, I was alone and staying on THE main street in the Jewish neighborhood in the Marais. Rue des Rosiers was blockaded and guarded while I was there due to demonstrations protesting Israeli attacks in the Gaza. The demonstrations grew into vandalism, and it forced many of the shops to close. Except for the bomb squad checking out a parked car at the entrance of my apartment building, I felt safe, coming and going, because of the heavily armed police. One night, I missed the last train from my friends' neighborhood and walked all the way from the Concorde to the Marais at two o'clock in the morning, I felt safer walking than getting in a taxi at that time of night! There are some good tips if you're staying in a hotel (which I don't) -- ask to stay on the middle floors (not the first or second) and your room is away from the hotel restaurant. Make sure your cell phone always charged, and it is enabled for traveling in France and that you know how to place calls. Turn DATA off, and use voice roaming only so that you don't incur enormous charges. Your phone carrier can explain this and enable your phone. I use Verizon, here and there. Don't make yourself stick out like an American. The French will know you're not one of them, but try to blend in. These tips apply more regarding pickpockets and scam artists, than terrorists: Leave those white sneakers at home, unless they're Converse. No baseball caps on men. Don't wear t-shirts with writing on the front or back. Don't wear shorts, and I discourage calf-length crop pants. Ankle pants/jeans are fine. Shift dresses in the summer are great if it's hot. Keep the color scheme subdued. Navy blue or grey are great for summer; black is good anytime. Don't take backpacks around the city. With high security, you'll be searched going into museums. When you wear a backpack on the métro or crowded places, it's the first place the pickpockets will reach to steal your stuff. Don't wear fanny packs, for the same reason as backpacks. Carry a cross-body purse and keep it zipped, with your hand over the top of it.Don't hang it on the back of a chair anywhere. Keep it on your lap while eating. Don't put a cell phone on a restaurant table top anywhere. BTW, some of the nice restaurants may not like it if you take photos of their food. Keep your voice down everywhere you go. You'll really attract attention--not the good kind,. Just go have fun, but be aware of your surroundings. Be polite...learn enough French to say hello, please, thank you and goodbye. I figure I have a greater chance of dying from being sedentary at home than getting out and traveling.