The best posts are hedge apple, you might have to grow your own. I have a few seeds in the fridge to plant when I come back to canada. They say these will outlast the wire you hang on them.I will grow them against my neighbour's goats.(wicket thorns) They get out all the time and destroy my newly grafted fruit trees. Tops might winterkill in z4, when it gets really cold, but come up from the roots and make about 1", long shoots every year You can also make a solution on DOUBLE boiled linseed oil, add fine charcoal or hardwood ashes. I have a box, my husband buildt 25 years ago. For the first few years I used to take it in, dry. Now it sits out in the garden for over 10 years, on the ground and the bottom is still intact culejools@yahoo.ca Ursula

Habanero Francisca: I grew this one since I was intrigued by the description "big sister to the Red Savina" (Red Savina is one of my all time favorites). When it started putting forth pods, I was disappointed that were just orange habs. A google search at that point found links to other folks saying "not worth it, nothing special they're just someone's patented orange hab strain." Now after having quite a few, I wish to differ. The difference is the distinctive flavor which is quite nice with good heat (typical hab), while not overpowering. Maybe I think so just b/c my expectations had fallen quite low, but they are my favorite medium-heat pepper I'm growing this season. Perhaps with this pepper, your enjoyment will be the inverse of your expectations... -Alex

Silver Quite interesting reading. I have thought about EX and how he must feel about DD, or any woman that has been in his life. I do understand the conceptual thinking behind the term "limerance". I had a man that I felt that way about once. I never told him, figuring that if he felt anything for me he would approach me. There were a few mixed signals, I thought but he never made an attempt that was something that I knew for sure showed he was interested in me. He had enough chances to do that and he didn't. He thought of me as a friend or sister I guess. Or he would have gone for a little "roll in the hay" if I would have. He even introduced me to a girlfriend that he began dating and ended up getting her pregnant and they later married. Ouch! With EX's past ( if what he has said is true ) he undoubtedly has great fear of rejection. Again, if what he says is true, he wanted my DD to stay with him, build a future with him and he wanted a family with us. There are too many things though that are negatives to the success of their relationship that he is completely out of touch with which makes me think that he has a break with normal thought processes. This is evident with other actions...his extensive lying and his criminal behavior. My DD did not want to marry or have children ( my goodness, she is only 20 ) and he did. Very much in fact. I don't know that she will ever change her mind but he had said that he would rather have had her and no kids than to not have her at all. I don't know that it would have been something he could have easily lived with though. The age difference is something that was too vast....11 years...when dealing with her age group. Had they met when she was in her 30's or 40's or older then it would not have been as big a deal. I am sorry for him when it comes to honest, heartfelt feelings that he might have had for my DD. The fact that he could install such fear ( and continues to do so ) and the fact that he has told so many lies negates all of that though. It sucks to be rejected. Our family histories have a lot to do with whether or not we can process the rejection in a healthy way. Most of us have been and some of us have stepped over a line while dealing with it that we cringe at after having healed a bit. It is important to teach our kids that when they deal with peers or a romantic interest people have a right to reject them. In the long run it is for the best. I don't know how much EX has control over when it comes to his emotions about the breakup. I am sorry that I can't talk to him. It just can't happen. I want him to get help and to go onto have a happy life. More importantly though I want him to leave my DD alone and let her move on. Thanks for the thread and the link Silversword.

Thank you all for your kind comments! I was really kidding - I know I'll do it again and probably worse, although I'm trying to be more careful now. I'm just so anxious to learn more before the garden starts up and I won't have much time for quilting. Julie, that's another runner peeking out behind it. This runner was for myself and a trial run at meander quilting. That's another story! My doggy quilt is now finished, but if I post a picture of it you will need your sun glasses - for sure. Thanks again. Best wishes - Corinne