Really haven't been peering into this one lately, but when I watered it today, I noticed it's all gone to hell. This plant is becoming less enjoyable by the day! Lol It looked like rust but then doesn't feel like rust -- it's all dried and toasty. Crackles and breaks. We have had some hot days but nothing as hot as some of the days it had to endure this summer prior to the repot. It almost looks like it's rootbound again but that's not possible, is it? It's barely been three months! It's on all of the leaves at least to some degree from mild to severe, except the newest leaves, and you'd think they would toast first if it's sunburn. I think perhaps it's burning because visible part of the seed is totally charred.... The soil was utterly dry when I watered today and it was probably watered about two days ago, I would guess. i think I shall chop it. What say you, gentlemen? I'm thinking right where those little leaves are below. I know you said to keep it tall if I want the trunk to thicken, and it's got a ways to go (but it has grown in nicely), but I am really hating all the affected leaves. The whole plant: This isn't where it grows--I just moved it in for the photo and in part shade. For what it's worth, there have been a few occasions where it was a little droopy on hot days and it perked right up with water by early evening. It was not droopy today, just dry soil. And it was 100 today. I officially live in Hades, Josh and Al!

My mother went totally deaf in one ear from a medical condition, and the other ear is now profoundly hard of hearing from her advancing age. I don't know what to say to her when she complains, as she is not the complaining type. I just ask her if she had to lose either her sight or her hearing which one would she rather keep. Her answer, consistently is her sight. I also remember my grandmother, who for my entire life was blind. She got on very well through innovation and minimal assistance and lived independently until she was quite old. I remember even as a very young child, closing my eyes and trying to do anything, to try to understand what the world was like for Grandma. I couldn't comprehend it then, and I don't think I can now. My heart has wrenched each time you talk about the progression of the loss of your husband's sight. I don't have any platitudes to say either except that having people who love you unconditionally is a great blessing, because more shoulders make the weight lighter. He seems to be positive in his outlook, and I'm sure you beside him has helped.

Kathe, I agree with all that's been said about your table. Its wonderful. I am so bothered by what happened to your Dad that the sores were THAT bad. Sure sounds like no one bathed him or checked him properly. Scary thought, and I'm sure its a worry for you now with having to stay on top of them. I will keep him, and you, in my prayers. Luvs, its not just some NHs. A year ago Dec when Dad went in the hospital after doc gave him meds he shouldn't have, Dad came home with some bad bedsores on his ankles and toes. From the hospital of all places!! They had put socks on his feet initially to keep them warm, and apparently no one bothered to take them off and bathe or check his feet. I was so mad when he came home, and I discovered the bedsores! We had nursing care coming in several times a week trying to treat them. I was thankful they were on his feet and nowhere else, but they caused him a LOT of pain and discomfort till I lost him several weeks later. The hospital also didn't seem to realize he couldn't turn over in bed at all and just lay in same position waaaay too long. All they did was raise and lower the head of the bed apparently! And this is a huge, well-known hospital and trauma center in Phoenix. (guess I'm STILL mad it seems) hugs, Karen

True. Sometimes they just say "mince", as well. But then there's mincemeat, which originally contained meat, but is often just fruit, booze and spices, sometimes with meat fat, nowadays (according to Wikipedia, because it's something I've only heard of and marvelled at--but now that I know it used to have meat in it I understand better why it's called "meat" :) ). Ci_lantro, I'm sure you're right about it being regional. Calling it "hamburger" made me think of old movies where they say the boxer's face looked like "hamburger". I always knew they meant raw ground beef, not sandwiches. :) But they inevitably had some kind of New York or maybe Boston or Rhode Island, accent. Distinctively Northeast, anyway. The kind of guys who called clueless people "mugs". OH!!! "Mugs"! Like 'Muggles"!!! Oh!! Found a cognate! How fun!