Oh, i wish I had seen this thread before posting a similar request on another. Last year a strong wind came through and snapped off the entire top of a gorgeous pine tree in my front yard. This left me with a 22' (apx) standing trunk (no branches), that is about 2.5 feet thick, which I cannot bear take down. I am wondering if there is something I can do to make this tall standing trunk into something a little more attractive. I was thinking maybe I could slice (? with a chain saw???) it down from the top to aboout 2 feet and then outward to make a sort of throne with an extremely tall back, maybe even paint the inside with something attractive. Or, maybe I could make it look like a living tree again placing a potted bush on top of this tall trunk. Is there some kind of big bushy plant like that which would survive a NW winter? Or maybe something fanciful like topping it with some kind of fake palm frons or fake willow branches. Of course whatever it is ,it would have to withstand cold winters with snow and survive on natural perception for water (or be fake). Or, maybe put a steel rod through it and hand a couple swings??? Has anyone ever done something like this? I'd really love to keep the tree trunk if I can make it a little more appealing to look at. Ideas from all artists are welcomed and appreciated :-) Wendy only@wildwendyworld.com

I live in eastern Washington and the people here are the same way! If you see someone in the park looking at roses or other plants, then most of them are happy to discuss plants and even offer suggestions of where to learn more. It's also common for neighbors to share plants, when they do garden. Not many people grow herbs, but those who do are also happy to share information and make recommendations. However, some have gone to school for this, others have life experience and some have both. If you want to get the most help available, I wouldn't discount any of these paths....since they all lead to knowledge and the ability to share that knowledge with others. FataMorgana- Nice to 'see' you...and I hope your gardens are all doing well. I agree with everything you said about growing your own plants and the reasons it is important to do so. Thank you for your insight :)

I have been watching a number of female ruby throat hummingbirds, it's been raining for a couple days now, and a lone female ruby throat has started setting on one of the flower petal on the feeder for long lengths, last time for almost 7 minutes in the pouring rain. She has feed about six times during that time, I've never seen this kind of action, of course this is my first year with feeders for both hummingbirds and regular birds. Is this normal behavior, there is no shelter there? she has added hovering in front of the window that's in front of the feeders, it has a reflective coating on the windows to stop heat loss or to prevent heat coming in in the summer. she is testing the window with her beak not really pecking, at first I thought she was lick the water off the window. Looks like she wants in. This post was edited by plantnut65 on Sat, Jul 19, 14 at 23:44

not necessarily in order: chrome purple - deep or pale green - perky or olive bright white trim and wts tile done in a pattern drawers in base cabs vintage/retro lighting vintage mirrors antiques, esp strays crystal high ceilings natural light (skylights, solatube, eyebrow window, etc..) family pictures nature photography functional but pretty items good closets/storage ceiling fans (as many as possible) landscaping that produces edible things our Roomba home cooked meals from scratch main level laundry room kids' artwork soft floors in kitchen