I live in Northern Illinois. Try as I may, I have never seen a Titmouse in my area, so I am doubtful that it is a chickadee. The bird I am seeing has no crest and the beak is unusually long for a chickadee. The reason I think it is a Nuthatch is because it landed vertically on tube feeder but with its head upside down. Normally Chickadee's land right side up or on the side. The only birds I know that like to walk upside down are Nuthatches. Paul

pearl08, I gave up (in vast disgust) buying periwinkles years ago because they always succumbed to that fungal issue..........(funny thing - the ones that randomly sprouted from seed each year in my beds NEVER had that issue, perfectly healthy!) This year I tried the Cora variety and have been pleased. No sign of disease and haven't noticed any particular fading problems (and mine are planted in full, blasting west side of the house sun). They do get a lot of air circulation, perhaps that made a difference. I hope these do turn out to be at least a partial answer; these flowers were always staples in my yard and have always reminded me of my grandmother (she always had them, many years ago, and I don't remember her ever having fungal problems.) Lynn

I think there's a bright side. If your husband is dealing with cancer right now - that's your first priority. You don't need the stress of dealing with the project you've been planning. I mean imagine what would happen if you were in the middle of the job - and the husband you've been relying on to do part of the job has some medical needs that prevent him from doing the work you had counted on him to do. I can tell you - in a way - I have been there - done that (but to a lesser degree). We were renovating a condo - our contractor was running late - and we had to close on our old place early and move into a hotel. Then my husband got really sick. He was in the hospital. Then when he was ready to be discharged a couple of weeks later (better but still not ok) - the darn contractor still wasn't finished. And I read the contractor the riot act. I said I'd sue his pants off if my husband had to be discharged from the hospital to a hotel. Well that job got finished enough for us to get our CO by the time my husband came home (the contractor busted his you know what and so did I). Anyway - a husband is more important than a kitchen. And I think that a husband with cancer doesn't need any additional stress (whether from finances - disruptions around the house - etc.). So first things first. I hope your husband's prognosis is excellent for the next year or two. And if things settle down with his health - you can then put your project back on track. In the meantime - why don't you take a few dollars and take a nice peaceful long weekend trip with him - enjoy one another - and let someone else cook some nice meals for you :). Best of luck, Robyn

Voting is another topic on which I have very strong feelings. I firmly believe if you live in this country you have, not a "right" since we determined that there are no "rights" only privileges! ;) or a "privilege", but rather a duty. You have a duty to vote in my mind. It bugs me so much to hear people complain and then say they didn't vote. I've quit being "nice" about it. I tell them if you don't vote, don't complain. Simple as that. The, er, privilege to complain comes only with performing your duty to vote. There's all kinds of excuses not to vote but it comes down to convenience and laziness it seems. But interestingly the same inconvenience and laziness disappears for other things. I'm stepping down off my rickety soap box now. Be sure to vote. I'm very proud that Minnesota is a leader in the voter turnout and almost always is one of the top. "Minnesota 'Nice'" or "Minnesota 'Living Up To Our Duty'"?? :) Vote. It's very important. Have a say in your future. And I hope you'll be an informed voter and use more than just commercials. Compare and contrast. Sometimes the decision is easy, sometimes not so easy. But that's all part of the duty. Looking for 100% "I Voted" in the forum! And yes, I'm looking forward to the end of the campaigns!