Some of the bulbs that grow the best for me: Alliums christophii, sphaerocephalon, unifolium, giganteum Anemone Blanda 'White Splendour' Chionodoxa forbessii Crocus, Large flowering (but squirrels love them) Fritillaria meleagris Hyacinths Ipheion 'Wisley Blue' & Rolf Fieldler' Iris reticulata 'Harmony' & 'Pixie' (Iris danfordiae very poor return) Lilium Asiatic Hybrids, La Hybrids, Trumpets, & Orienpets, Lilium 'Regale' & Lilium 'Black Beauty' (other Orientals are just so so for me) Muscari armeniacum (Grape Hyacinths) Narcissus, including miniatures Scilla siberica 'Spring Beauty' ('Alba' was almost weedy for me it grew so fast) I included the specific variety only where it seemed to really matter - one variety returned better, spread faster, better color etc. Others were decidedly less successful. Most of these are inexpensive and you can experiment as much as you want and find those that suit your garden and taste the best. Included a good quality source for bulbs in the link below. Here is a link that might be useful: John Scheepers

What type of birds are you trying to attract? What style nest boxes do you have? Please don't let house wrens nest in your boxes. They often destroy other native birds' eggs like Easter Bluebirds, Tree Swallows, Chickadees, Titmice, Nuthatches, Woodpeckers, etc. Also you should see the following link to make sure you've properly mounted your nest boxes. http://bluebirdnutcafe.yuku.com/topic/5934/How-I-install-a-nest-box -Tyler

Today arrived. My husband asked that we do the exploratory last night to give him more time. BY bedtime I had dosed my friend with two tabs of tramadol. This was the start of a really bumpy night. I picked him up to enjoy the comfort and smells of the bed but he could not settle and jumped off to vomit for the last time. We had to give a second dose of tramadol sooner then allowed along with a dose of ace. I had asked for rimadyl hoping to pick it up this morning. There is no need for the rimadyl. We all are at peace. My husband collpased in the garage as I was gathering feed for the chickens. He finally understood . He slept on the bathroom floor with my boy . As much as he drives me crazy I have a good hubby. I knew I would find peace once this all ended. I have done it before. For those looking for help ...... you need to be the voice of your pet. YOu need to stand up and take control when the vet still pushes his agenda. I refused exploratory surgery cause his tongue was already showing anemia. I did not want him in pain from his illness and the surgery. I am pissed that I did not have a stronger pain med. Last night was horrific. I found that keeping a journal of his food,medicine and activity helped me to make decisions. I cringed seeing the clock strike 5 knowing I only had the internet for comfort. It was the internet that told me about cat food and baby food to be offered if a dog refuses his food not my vet. So a warm huge hug to those who post their troubles and woes since it lays a path for those who follow. There is no high jacking of this thread. We are all searching for how to make the best choice. I made the best choice early this morning. I am crushed , beaten but at peace. I thank you . To arkansas-girl........... My first dog was also a labrador retriever. She presented with chronic ear infections and ruptured eardrums. In fact our local vet told me after the third ear rupture that he can not help me. I asked who should I go see and he said "IDK". SHe also licked her paws raw and had her skin turn black along her abdomen. After many months we ended the process with her being placed on allergen shots and prednisone. I would record your dog's food and her activiities and health history such as her skin condition, ear issues, weight gain or loss. I would also change her diet to simple protein such as deer, bison, or rabbit feed. Do not feed her any pork, beef, chicken and turkey or lamb. The former all eat grass where the latter all eat corn. NO store bought treats ,give veggies and fresh fruit instead I would apply A&d ointment to her paws and then place socks over them using vet wrap to hold in place. You could even use baking soda or epsom salt washes by letting her stand in a warm pan / bucket or bathtub. I would treat her paws as if she has a chemical burn and allergies. When a dog has pain they lick the site...... her feet hurt. This is not a simple fix and the allergy testing is not cheap . I would change the diet to the above mentioned. YOu need to be diligent cause some of the above diet has potato as a starch which is also an allergen. It sucks to have a problem and no solution. It is maddening to be so vocal and have no one listen. I hope what I post helps.

I wish honeybee and aggressive weren't in the same sentence. Honeybees do sting, but only when we humans get so close to take their honey or disturb them in other ways. Confident beekeepers work in hives and harvest honey with hundreds of thousands of bees and rarely get stung. Skilled beekeepers dont always wear gloves when working in very busy hives Hornets are another story. I have been chased across the yard and into the house when I accidently disturbed a ground nest. If one wants to nurture pollinators but can't undertake the considerable work and expense of beekeeping, mason bees are wonderful. Non stinging, relatively inexpensive, also interesting to watch. Still nowhere near as fascinating or complex in their organization; mason bees build with mud, bees build geometrically perfect complex living quarters and make perfumed honey. Say mason bees are good pollinators, easy to care for and don't sting. But don't say honeybees are aggressive cause it just ain't so! idabean