Hi, I am sure there are others with far more experience than me, but I do have both chickens and ducks and have had them for a couple of years. As far as ease of raising, I can not say that there is an extreme difference.....both have their pluses and minuses.... I have Khaki Campbells and they are the more aggressive of my ducks... but not so much so that I would cease to have them. My chickens free range in an acre pasture so they are not hard either... they have an enclosed coop where they are locked up at night with feed and water...nesting boxes and a roost. The ducks have the same routine except they are cooped in free standing houses in a separated pasture area. We dug a pond and lined it for them but with just a few, a kiddy pool is acceptable..they are messy and the water needs changing often... a good quality feed is needed for either... as are vaccinations etc if you choose to do so... as for the eggs... there is not a noticeable difference in the taste of the eggs... a duck egg is larger of course and , at least to me, they seem to be richer in baking etc... my ducks seem to lay an egg about every other day while my chickens often lay daily... I can not suggest one over the other because I love them both.,... their antics, their personalities.... both are delightful...good luck to you with whichever you choose.

Good Afternoon Idylls! This will have to be a quickie, as Ive been out all day with mom. I took her shopping for some Christmas presents. Well, mom mostly sat (nice store with chairs *everywhere* and great customer service) and I did the actual shopping for her, just showing her stuff and getting her approval. Anyway, I think mom had a good (though exhausting time). On the way to the mall I was playing a "40s station for her and she really enjoyed hearing "her" music. Xavier Cugat sp? came on the radio playing a jazzy rumba and I started pretending I was rumba-ing, while driving the car...LOL! I think she was a little nervous at first (worried that I wasnt being careful with my driving dont worry I *was*). Anyway, she finally loosened up and started giggling...you should have seen the twinkle in her eye...for a moment I got a glimpse into her past...the twinkling eyes and bright smile, for a fleeting moment I saw her at 18! Well, I guess somewhere buried in all of us mature, dignified woman a carefree young girl still lingers! :-) You know, the nice store we went to had me thinking. Like I said, it was great because there were chairs everywhere to relax...even at the checkout counter which certainly went a long way in making the experience more pleasant for mom. But what I was thinking was wouldnt it be nice if these big department store could offer a service....like a doorman (but not so formal) that could sit with your elderly mother, while you ran to get the car or wait for her while you go park the car? Thats always such a worry of mine whenever I take mom out. She cant walk far so I always walk her to the inside doors of the store before I go to park the car. My heart is in my throat the whole time Im looking for a parking space though, with thoughts running through my head like "what is someone singles her out as vulnerable, knocks her down and steals her purse, or what if she gets faint or what if she trips while Im parking the car, now days with the dementia getting worse I have the added worry that she may start to wander off if Im taking too long. Heck, Id be willing to pay some reasonable amount for that service, just for the peace of mind and added security. Hey thanks Eden & Marian! I am relieved to see the instructions are so easy too Eden. Please thank Brad for me too, will you? :-) Ill give it a whirl tonight, but first Ill have to load the pics up in "My Pictures". I have them saved right now in Image Expert. WOW Marian! I cant believe the ladys slipper...she looks wonderful *and* happy. Well I do believe I heard her breath a sigh of relief, when I was shipping her out to you...LOL! Im so glad that you are enjoying them...it really tickles me that they bring you pleasure. You really do have a gift. I have *never* had an orchid repeat bloom for me and I have finally given up on them. Woody, I love Chelones suggestions, especially the teal or plum! I was also thinking periwinkle might look lovely too (or maybe not, it could be its just cause I love the color periwinkle...LOL). Anyway, funny, after I closely re-read your post, I realized that there was only *one* arbor. The arbor looks so different through the season, depending on what plants are in focus and with the gate open in the one pic and not the other, I just assumed you had *two* arbors! Anyway, your plantings are just beautiful! Deanne Well, I did exactly as you suggested. Very scary stuff indeed. I gather that it is fairly uncommon for cats to get cancer from injections, but it can and does happen. As far as dogs are concerned, while I didnt get any "hits" on the internet re dog vaccination and cancer, I did find some articles that said there is a possible relation to autoimmune hemolytic anemia in dogs receiving innoculations. According to one the articles, which I linked at the bottom of my post, there is reason to question annual immunizations (except of course rabies, which is required by law for dogs). Interestingly, my vet has had Scout on an "every 3 year vaccination" and previous to going to this vet, I use to have titer tests done to see if he still had immunity. Interesting article and I definitely plan to show it to my vet the next time Im in and ask what he thinks. Anyway, heres a little excerpt from the article "According to Dr. Schultz, protection against canine parvovirus and canine distemper from successful vaccination is long term, probably lifelong. (Kirk's Current Veterinary Therapy XIII; 2000; "Vaccines and Vaccinations: Issue for the 21st Century", Richard B. Ford and Ronald D. Schultz; (Kirk's Current Veterinary Therapy XI, "Canine and Feline Vaccines," Phipps, Schultz; R.D. Schultz, "Considerations in Designing Effective and Safe Vaccination Programs for Dogs," May 2000; (Schultz, "Duration of Immunity to Canine Vaccines: What We Know and Don't Know."). So then, *why* do our vets recommend continual immunization? Anyway, the author does state that he is not saying immunization is a bad thing, just saying that we should be more informed. Also, the lepto virus, Ive never given to Scout because he had an adverse reaction. Interestingly in the article it states that lepto is a common "problem" shot and that it is not very effective anyway, since there are so many strains. Okay, Ill shut up now... Anyway, glad you all had such a great time at Sues (of course I knew you would). Michelle, neat story! You are right, that *is* part of the charm and the special memories! Funny you brought that up cause that is the sentimental gift I received from my mom this year. :-) My mom gave me her nativity set! She made it when I was a small child and its just beautiful...all hand painted, There is Mary, Joseph & the baby Jesus, an angel, 3 camels for the 3 wisemen; a cow; a donkey; 3 sheep; and even a goat. Hey T Ive got a goat now too! :-) I was so touched when she gave it to me (I remember that it took her a whole year to make the whole set and I know she was very proud of it as she should be)....I will cherish it always! BTW, thats a lovely pic of you and Rick. And your jacket is so pretty! Thanks too for the compliment Michelle. It was such a nice thing to say and you really made me smile! I guess sometimes we all need to hear stuff like that, even if I've never been able to handle compliments well! :-) Speaking of T...that *is* a gorgeous sunset and I smiled when I saw Tall and Wide...simple names and yet so clever! :-) Your beds are looking gorgeous. I agree you have *some* beautiful soil, in fact, it would be an insult to your soil to call it "dirt". :-) Kathy, the mantle is stunning. I really love the what you did with the vases too. How clever to fill them with walnuts and then add the twigs....so simple and yet so natural and well designed...BRAVO! I may steal that idea for next year! :-) The new walkway and arbor are really lovely too. Gorgeous sweater Bug! I love the colors and the "cut" of it. Funny about Charlotte...that little cutey! The other day when you were mentioning that the two of you had "hair appointments" I had a visual of Charlotte sitting under the dryer in a Beauty Salon...LOL! You know she is so human looking, she could probably pull it off! :-) LOL Bug...hope Eden's wearing her crash helmet! Uh oh, Pauls pulling up and the pork roast is in need of checking. TTYL! Ei P.S. Hi Prarie Moon! You're going to love these people! :-)

Miracle grow has a tomato plant nutrient with calcium, but will only sell it in Australia. I called them and they said they only supply soil based products in US. I asked them futher if I could order from Australia and they stated that I could order, but they probaly would not ship it into US. The MG with calcium in Australia is all that is needed according to their write up.(below) Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble Tomato Plant Food This fertiliser is especially suitable for growing tomatoes and all vegetables. High in nutrients Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble Tomato Plant Food is formulated to promote crops of hearty, healthy vegetables. The NPK is 20:2.2:9. This product is unique among water-soluble fertilisers because it contains high levels of calcium which are essential for preventing blossom end rot in tomatoes and help all vegetables to resist diseases. The product also contains iron, magnesium and essential trace elements such as copper, zinc, boron, manganese and molybdenum. The unique wetting agents help to maximise foliar feeding as well as to ensure that the fertiliser is readily absorbed into the soil to reach the roots quickly. Hydroponics Because of the revolutionary new technology used in this fertiliser, the added calcium does not settle out. This allows Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble Tomato Plant Food to be used in hydroponics alone, not as a mixture of an A & B solution. Application rate A measuring scoop with a large and a small end is provided. Dissolve 1 level large scoop in 4 litres of water and apply the product every 7 to 14 days to the leaves and to the soil surrounding the plants. When planting tomatoes use approximately 1 cupful (250ml) of the solution for each plant. Increase the amount as the tomato plants grow until you are applying 4 litres per plant per feeding. Here is a link that might be useful: /miracle-gro.htm

Hi All, It was snowing on my way home from work today: ( Spring really in at a stand still. I think we are going to jump straight into summer, lol. Laura, I had to work on Easter. I kept joking that we were scheduled to work because management decided we were the heathens. I did have a nice Good Friday though. I went to the Broadway Market with my sister-in-law and her kids. It is an old Polish tradition to go there for foods like homemade candy and baked goods, see the easter bunny, buy Polish pottery and so on. It was packed as it always is pre-Easter. It is is a strange place because the whole neighborhood is now a ghetto, but the Broadway Market is still there. I could hardly carry out all the stuff I bought! I did buy two pretty Easter planters for my relatives that were in the hospital and I stopped to see them on the way home. Maryanne, I sure hope your testing went good. I've never had to do that for a job. Though this one I did have to do a drug test. Beth, Glad to hear most of the flowers survived. The winter aconites you sent me are still blooming! They are very cheery looking. They multiply don't they? Susan, I'm glad you are getting your family into shape. I know how it is. I'm afraid to leave Gary home alone for more than 2 days, lol. I'm sure hoping your brother will be ok. My cousin had to have her brain operated on for tumors about 2 years ago now, and she is doing good, so it is possible : ) Susann, I've not bought from them. I have bought from Forest Farm for odd items, so I can recommend them for that. They also have search by needs on their website. I'll put the link below. Nancy, So glad to hear you had a great time with your sisters! Sassy, That is so odd, living in a home with no street address! Well, I'm sure it is turning into a home irregardless : ) Susie, I hope you got your computer fixed. Please post when your weather takes a turn for the better. It will have to come here soon after that! If I missed anyone, you know I didn't mean it : ) Have a good night everyone, Remy